The Queen Mother, Prince Charles and Princess Margaret.Photo: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
King Charles' upcomingcoronationwon’t be his first time at such a crowning ceremony!
Nearly 70 years ago, on June 2, 1953, 4-year-old Prince Charles watched his mother be crowned asQueen Elizabethat Westminster Abbey. The young royal even received aspecially-made invitationto the event — the hand-painted invitation included British guards in their traditional bearskin hats playing instruments, as well as a cartoon lion and unicorn, symbols on Queen Elizabeth’s royal coat of arms.
“By Command of The Queen the Earl Marshal is directed to invite His Royal HighnessPrince Charlesto the Coronation,” the invitation reads along with the date.
In one iconic image from the big day, the little royal looked adorably bored as he rested his head on his hand while standing between his grandmotherQueen Elizabeth, the Queen Motherand his auntPrincess Margaret. After all, it was a long day, with over 8,000 guests packed into the ancient church to see Elizabeth in the three-hour, six-part service.
Charles' very presence at the coronation made history, as theroyal family stateshe was the first child to see his mother invested as sovereign. His 2-year-old sisterPrincess Annedidn’t join him, as she was deemed too young to attend the crowning ceremony.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
Prince Charleswalked into Westminster Abbey holding hands with a nurse before being seated with his grandmother and aunt. At one point, the Queen Mother — who Charles wasfamously close to— whispered into her grandson’s ear.
Charles wasn’t pictured withPrince Philipduring the ceremony, as the Duke of Edinburgh, then 31, had a formal role. While Prince Philipwasn’t crownedor anointed during the ceremony, as the husbands of female monarchs do not receive the distinction of King Consort, he was the first person to pay homage to his wife as Queen after the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Prince Philip bows to his wife, Queen Elizabeth, at her Coronation in 1953.Fox Photos/Getty Images
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While the newly crownedQueen Elizabethmade thetwo-hour tripfrom Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach, her young son beat her back to the palace. In another outtake from the last coronation day,Prince Charlespeeked outside the window of Buckingham Palace with binoculars.
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Later,Prince Charlesjoined his parents and other family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the cheering crowds gathered below.
In a sweet surprise, Princess Anne also appeared and gave a wave.
In the fall, Buckingham Palaceannouncedthat the coronation of King Charles andQueen Camillawill take place on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey. The date is earlier than widely speculated — many believed that King Charles choose June in tribute toQueen Elizabeth’s crowning ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Philip.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
“The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry,” Buckingham Palace said.
King Charles' ceremony is expected to be more modest than his mother’s crowning. An estimated 2,000 guests will pour into Westminster Abbey’s pews on May 6, while 8,251 people attended Elizabeth’s. And the service has been cut down to 60 minutes — a third of the Queen’s three-hour coronation. Charles will also introduce more modern elements.
King Charles and Queen Camilla.Chris Jackson/Getty
“It’s going to be more inclusive. I think with many more religions [represented],” says Lady Anne Glenconner, who served as a maid of honor atQueen Elizabeth’s coronation.
In preparation for the big day, rehearsals are taking place in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom.
source: people.com
