A Look Back at the Coronation
A weekend of pomp & ceremony, duty & devotion, the Coronation weekend immortalised the many traditions we hold dear and reflected the Britain today in a magical display of colour. Below we break down some of our favourite moments of the Coronation weekend.
From the carriages, marching bands, pomp & circumstance, to the quiet solemnity of Westminster Abbey, the heavenly tones of the great music and that sacred moment of anointing, the Coronation showed the great tapestry of history, traditions, spectacle, magic and diversity that makes Britain so unique.
At the centre of the Coronation weekend was of course the anointing and crowning of our new sovereign, that ritual dating back into the annals of history to the time of Zadok the Priest & Nathan the Prophet. The moving music of the Byzantine choir as the King was given the bejewelled Sword of Offering, was a real reminder of the ancient nature of this service and felt as if we had indeed been transported back in time to the medieval period.
Who can forget the amazing strength both physical & mental, of President of the Privy Council: Penny Mourdant, who carried both the Swords of State & Offering during the two hour long service. Fun fact: her gown & hat featured the gold fern leaves of the Privy Council which represent her office. Indeed, she is the first women to perform this role at a coronation, another signal of the progressive & forward-looking nature that the King wanted to imbue in his coronation.
No royal event is complete without a balcony appearance, and the coronation balcony did not disappoint, with the King & Queen in all their regalia present to acknowledge the people. Of course, stealing the show was Prince Louis, who’s waves to the crowds gave us those small comical moments, that added to the general sense of elation that lay across the country on the 6th. The fly past despite the weather was pretty spectacular, and whilst their majesties couldn’t enjoy it to its full extent, owing to the rather heavy crowns on their heads, the spectacle was the final flourish of a glorious day for Britain.
One of the many moving moments of the day was the salute the King took in the gardens of Buckingham Palace by the many thousands of British & Commonwealth forces who lined up to salute their new king. Having taken part in that magnificent carriage procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, the King felt it only right that they too have an opportunity to see their new King, and for him to thank them for their role in such a special day, reaffirming the close bond between the armed forces of the UK & Commonwealth with the monarchy.
Whilst the focus of the coronation weekend was mainly on the coronation itself, which was always going to be breath-taking, the Coronation Concert was a brilliant way to end a day of street parties across the UK and Commonwealth. Whether it was the thoughtful nods to the great passions of the King’s life, namely the nations of the UK & Commonwealth, nature & music, or the incredible drone displays and Miss Piggy flirting with Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) or those great British anthems by Take That, that bring us all together, the concert united us again as a country in song, like no other institution or family ever can or will.
