Enthronements/Coronations

[RebeccaJ]

Hello everybody! This is my first post here so apologies if I've put this in the wrong section.


I'm hoping you can help me with some Elizabeth II coronation information. First, a bit of back-story! I'm currently researching a lady named Joan Lander. She was an embroideress at the Royal School of Needlework, and was one of the women who embroidered the Queen's purple velvet Coronation robe.

However, on digging for more information, an Australian article from 1953 was uncovered that claims she also worked a great deal on "the Coronation Chair of State, and the backs of the chairs used during the Coronation service by the Dukes of Edinburgh, Gloucester and Kent."

I couldn't find any information about a 'Chair of State', but I did find that a 'Chair of Estate' exists. Then I got a little confused - in the Queen's coronation were there three chairs used? The Chair of Estate, then King Edward's Chair, then the throne itself? Or have I gotten mixed up?

If the Chair of Estate is indeed what I'm looking for, does anybody have a clear image of it, or know any more about it?

Here's hoping somebody might know more than I do!

Rebecca

[IloveCP]

Why are the British coronations so big but,Denmark,Sweden etc,so small and fast?

[NGalitzine]

Sweden and Denmark to not have coronations. The UK is the only European nation that still has a coronation ceremony, other countries having done away with formal coronations. The ceremony is usually held a year to 18 months after the death of the previous monarch usually in spring or summer.

The Netherlands has an installation ceremony but the crown is never placed on the monarchs head. Norway has a sort of blessing ceremony but again no crown is placed on the monarchs head.
I believe Tonga, Bhutan and Japan are the only nations to also still have a coronation. Tongas ceremony is largely based on the British one.

[Mirabel]

Is the coronation truly necessary?

I mean, suppose Charles were to succeed to the throne upon the death of his mother, but then died before he could be crowned. (The coronation takes place a year after the succession, right?)

So would he be King, or not officially because he wouldn't have had a coronation?

[COUNTESS]

He would be king. Edward the VIII was king, although, he never had a coronation and abdicated.

[lightningbearer]

In the media recently there's been speculation that Prince Charles will cut the number of peers at his coronation in favour of inviting charities and members of the public. Whilst I think that modernizing some elements of the coronation would be a good idea I hope this doesn't affect the peers that attend the new King and Queen. At the 1953 coronation, the Queen was surrounded by nobility but who would Camilla have as her Mistress of the Robes for example? Doesn't have to be a duchess in my opinion.

[Elly C]

Inevitably there will be a very different coronation when Charles is crowned, but I hope Charles isn't allowed to meddle too much. I guess there must be outline plans, but given the economic situation cou[led with the cost of hosting the Olympics, everyone must by hoping that HM has the longevity her Mum enjoyed.

[KittyAtlanta]

I would not expect Charles' coronation to be any less than previous ones. The coronation of a monarch is a tad different (and IMO, more important) than any royal wedding. Charles should have the coronation he desires. If the taxpayers complain about funding the next coronation, then it will be time to give up the monarchy.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by KittyAtlanta

If the taxpayers complain about funding the next coronation, then it will be time to give up the monarchy.

Huh? They complained about paying a certain amount for the two royal weddings this summer but nowhere did the "give up the monarchy" argument seriously arise. You talk as if one person complains then that's it for the monarchy straight away. Taxpayers complain constantly, but their republican movement isn't getting anywhere fast IMO.

[NGalitzine]

My guess would be that we would not see all the hereditary peers that were invited to QE2's coronation. Maybe the premier peer of each divsion of the hereditary peerages, representation from the life peers and then other guests representing a wider society from the Uk and the Commonwealth.

[PrincessKaimi]

"Taxpayers" in England (especially London) have been complaining about the expense of their monarchs since history began - and yet the monarchs are still around. Greatly straitened by circumstances, but still there. Asking monarchs to limit their expenses (or their powers) is rather an old custom in England, is it not?

[IloveCP]

The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Royal Splendor 101: Queen Elizabeth's Accession

[IloveCP]

The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Royal Splendor 101: King Abdullah's Accession

[IloveCP]

More info on Elizabeth's coronation

The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Royal Splendor 101: The Coronation Scene

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by Josefine

Queen Juliana signed her abdication 1980, April 30
Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands
enthronement ceremony 1980, April 30

Did Juliana make a televised speech afew months before to announce her intention to abdicate?

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Jacknch

Did Juliana make a televised speech afew months before to announce her intention to abdicate?

Yes she announced her abdication in a TV-speech at Beatrix birthday 31.01.1980.

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Yes she announced her abdication in a TV-speech at Beatrix birthday 31.01.1980.

Thanks Stefan, I thought that was the case, but I didn't know the date of her speech.

[RoyalistRiley]

Originally Posted by lightningbearer

In the media recently there's been speculation that Prince Charles will cut the number of peers at his coronation in favour of inviting charities and members of the public. Whilst I think that modernizing some elements of the coronation would be a good idea I hope this doesn't affect the peers that attend the new King and Queen. At the 1953 coronation, the Queen was surrounded by nobility but who would Camilla have as her Mistress of the Robes for example? Doesn't have to be a duchess in my opinion.

While I would assume that there may be a few small changes in regards to the number of peers/hereditary guests invited and to the prerequisties of some of the office holders, I strongly hope and feel that the ceremony will remain the same as 1953. The Coronation, in my opinion, is the greatest spectacle in human civilisation and as it is the cornerstone of tradition (being largely unchanged over the past 1000 years) in the monarchy it is of vital importance that it is retained in its purest possible forrm. After all, with monarchy no longer having the central role it used to, the tradition and ceremony is vital to keeping it going.

My one main hope for change in the overall festivities/order of service is that there is greater involvement from the 15 Commonwealth Realms who will have Charles as their King. Perhaps a there could be an Australian digeridoo player, a New Zealand haka, etc? This would only enhance the great spectacle in my opinion.

[Grandduchess24]

For coronations does the audience really put on copies of the crown which chanting "god save the Queen"? I just wish I could be able to witness I'll just have to wait for an heir to become monarch.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Grandduchess24

For coronations does the audience really put on copies of the crown which chanting "god save the Queen"? I just wish I could be able to witness I'll just have to wait for an heir to become monarch.

For British Coronations the participants place their individual coronets or caps on their head and chant God Save The King/Queen.

Information on each persons coronets;

Peers wear coronets, as do most members of the Royal Family; such coronets display heraldic emblems based on rank or association to the monarch. The heir-apparent's coronet displays four crosses-pattée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis, surmounted by an arch. The same style, without the arch, is used for the children and siblings of Sovereigns. The coronets of children of the heir-apparent display four fleurs-de-lis, two crosses-pattée and two strawberry leaves. A fourth style, including four crosses-pattée and four strawberry leaves, is used for the children of the sons and brothers of Sovereigns. The aforementioned coronets are borne instead of any coronets based on peerage dignities. The coronets of dukes show eight strawberry leaves, those of marquesses four strawberry leaves alternating with four raised silver balls, those of earls eight strawberry leaves alternating with eight raised silver balls, those of viscounts sixteen silver balls and those of barons six silver balls. Peeresses use the same design, except that they appear on smaller circlets than the peers' coronets.

Aside from kings and queens, the only individuals authorised to wear crowns (as opposed to coronets) are the Kings of Arms, the United Kingdom's senior heraldic officials