May 4

The Coronation: Thrones and Traditions

Westminster Abbey is where the Coronation had occurred for the last 900 years according to the United Kingdom website.  It is a “solemn and religious” occasion the site says and has been pretty much the same for all of these years. The ceremony is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Royal Archives photo

According to protocol, the new Sovereign takes his or her position as the King or Queen immediately after the loss of the former Sovereign. In the case, when Queen Elizabeth II died, her son, Charles became King.   After a period of mourning, the new King or Queen will celebrate with a coronation and crowning event. In this case it has been months since the loss of QEII and now, the celebration.   This ceremony will be “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” according  to the Royal UK site.

Royal Throne of England. Royal Archives photo

“By tradition, ceremonial chairs and thrones will be used for different parts of the coronation event.  The most significant chair will be the “Coronation Chair”. In that seat the new King will sit and receive his crown. The first coronation of King Edward II used the Baltic Oak chair which was made over 700 years ago.  Their Majesties from this event, King Charles and  Queen Camilla Consort, will use the St. Edward’s Chair. There are different thrones and each have its own story such as that of George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s throne.  Now King Charles will have his name engraved on the use of a throne as well. Also, needlework is a part of the stitching of the cloth which is a significant task.

This is quite an event for the ages. It has not occurred since Queen Elizabeth  II was crowned Queen of England and she served over 70 years. 

London will have the Coronation on Saturday May 6th and for several days following, lunches, parties and concerts across the Commonwealth will occur.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Two scriptures about kings… God is the absolute Sovereign. He appoints kings for the earth.

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. 2 Chronicles

“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” Daniel 2:21

Sources: Royal Archives photos, Royal. uk website information, King James Bible online.

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May 4

The Royal Coronation Coaches

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the Gold State Coach was “designed by William Chambers and made by coach maker Samuel Butler”.  This carriage has been used for every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

The Royal Coronation Coaches

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the Gold State Coach was “designed by William Chambers and made by coach maker Samuel Butler”.  This carriage has been used for every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.

While it looks like gold, it is actually giftwood, a thin layer of gold leaf as described by the Royal Trust Collection.

It has painted items on it including three cherubs on the roof representing England, Scotland, and Ireland.

oyal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

Queen Elizabeth II rode in the coach in 1953 at her coronation and again it appeared as part of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022 according to the Royal Trust site.  It is said that Queen Victoria did not care for the coach even though it is the 3rd oldest UK coach behind the Speaker of the House of Common’s coach of 1698  and the Lord Mayor of London’s coach built in 1758.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

This coach will carry King Charles and Queen Camilla to and from the ceremony.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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April 29

Snail Mail Brings The Royal Invitation to Coronation Guests

Snail mail is almost a thing of the past since the invention of the internet and email but… for the coronation of King George  III and other very important events such as weddings, an actual invite is still in order.

Royal Invitation- Credit: Buckingham Palace

The coronation of King Charles III has not been seen in over 70 years so it is definitely a huge deal which only a comparatively small number can attend due to space in the Abbey.  The guest list has been made and seats numbered and named for certain individuals.  

Invitations not only come with the new royal cypher and seal but with instructions as to where to sit.According to NDTV, “admid the ongoing feud between the royals”,  Prince Harry , the son of the King, will be seated 10 rows behind the royal family. 

The invitation  was published for all to see on the Royal website on April of 2023.  According to Royal. Uk, “the original artwork for the invitation was hand-painted in watercolour and gouache, and the design will be reproduced and printed on recycled card with gold foil detailing”.

It has symbolic figures including:

Green Man- an ancient British folklore item representing “spring and rebirth”, the British wildflower meadow including a bee, butterfly, ladybird, wren and other such items, and Coat of Arms.  

The artwork was designed by Andrew Jamieson, the “Brother of the Art Worker’s Guild, of which the King is an Honorary Member”.  

I hope you got one if you wanted to…I’ll tell you about my invitation when I… 

see you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources:  The Royal Family, The Royal . UK, NDTV

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September 9

Transcript of King Charles III 

As reported by the Royal website and The New York Times-

“I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow.

King Charles III-Royal Photo

Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen — my beloved Mother — was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.

Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today. Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the queen was head of state, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than seventy years in which my mother, as queen, served the people of so many nations.

In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples. That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life.She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humor and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.

I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honor her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you, and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.”

Queen Elizabeth’s son, now King Charles III-  September, 2022

See you tomorrow,

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