The momentous day is finally upon us. It's coronation day. A lot of pomp and ceremony has been going on behind the scenes in preparation for the historic event. According to the Mirror, however, Palace officials have had 'real fears' about one potential mistake in particular: King Charles tripping on his robe after he apparently commented on its weight. That could explain why a ramp has been built to the Chairs of State, although not if you believe Buckingham Palace, who said that its purpose was not in response to any worries about the king. Hmm. While you mull over that one, here's everything we know about what robes the king will be wearing on his coronation day.
Will King Charles III Wear The Same Robes As His Mother?
For King Charles III's coronation - which has the codename Operation Golden Orb - he will probably wear a new set if he follows tradition. As you might have guessed, the coronation involves several robes, each of which is worn at a particular point in the ceremony. The order, according to Historic UK, was established at the coronation of Edward II, which took place in 1308, and documented in the 14th century manuscript Liber Regalis.
When King Charles first enters Westminster Abbey, he'll be wearing the first robe of the ceremony, the Robe of State. According to Historic UK, it's also referred to as the Parliamentary Robe, which comes from its role during each State Opening of Parliament. (King George III's Parliamentary Robe, which was made by Ede & Ravenscroft, was made of velvet (36 yards), ermine, gold lace (116 yards) and silk satin, with a length of 471.5cm, according to the Royal Collection Trust.)
For the anointing - where, according to the Royal Collection Trust, the monarch is anointed with holy oil using the most ancient part of the coronation regalia, the Coronation Spoon, first recorded in 1349 - King Charles will simply wear what is known as the Colobium Sindonis (Latin for ‘shroud tunic’). 'In stark contrast to the Robe of State, this gown is austere and plain, without detail or lace. In its simplicity, this robe symbolises divesting oneself of all worldly vanity, to stand bare before God,' says Historic UK.
Then it's on to the Supertunica, made by Wilkinson & Son. This is one of the ceremony's historic garments - a full-sleeved coat of gold silk worn under the Imperial Mantle - that has been worn by King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Also worn during this part of the ceremony, known as the investiture, is the Robe Royal. 'Worn at the moment of crowning, this robe is embroidered with national symbols and imperial eagles crafted in silver thread decorate the corners of this four-square mantel. The Robe Royal takes on a priestly role: one of the divine nature of kingship,' says Historic UK. The monarch will be crowned at this point with St Edward's Crown, a solid gold crown weighing just over 2kg, which was made for the coronation of King Charles II, according to Royal Collection Trust.
Finally, the crowned monarch wears the Imperial Robe, otherwise known as the Robe of Estate, and the Imperial State Crown, which is set with 2,868 diamonds. According to the Royal Collection Trust, Queen Elizabeth II's Robe of Estate had a border of wheat ears and olive branches, symbolising peace and plenty. This robe was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, and took two months and 3,500 hours to complete. It's made of purple silk-velvet and measures just over 6.5m from shoulder to train.
Who Designed The Queen's Coronation Gown?
In October 1952, Queen Elizabeth asked Norman Hartnell, British couturier, to create her coronation gown. The legendary interwar designer already had a close relationship with the royal family; creating the gown for the then-Princess Elizabeth’s wedding five years earlier.
Hartnell set to work, researching at the London Museum and the London Library and then sketching in the seclusion of Windsor Forest. ‘My mind was teeming with heraldic and floral ideas,’ he wrote in his autobiography, Silver and Gold. ‘I thought of lilies, roses, marguerites and golden corn; I thought of altar cloths and sacred vestments; I thought of the sky, the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars and everything heavenly that might be embroidered upon a dress destined to be historic’.
Nine designs were submitted; the Queen’s favourite was a short-sleeved, sweetheart-necked gown embroidered with the emblems of Great Britain. She expressed a desire for colour and the flowers of the Commonwealth to be added. It took eight months to complete and is today part of the Royal Collection.