King Charles III's Coronation Compared to Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 26 Striking Photos
King Charles's coronation took place this past weekend, and there were a few key differences between his coronation and that of his mother Queen Elizabeth's coronation 70 years ago. Namely, the size of the congregation was significantly smaller, and the dress code was much more casual. Yet, many things stayed the same—from the six key parts of the coronation service, to riding in the Gold State Coach, to a moment on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the service.
Here, see Queen Elizabeth II's coronation compared to the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla:
The portrait
Queen Elizabeth's coronation portrait, taken by Cecil Beaton, showed her in front of a backdrop of Westminster Abbey, whereas King Charles's portrait, taken by Hugo Burnand, shows him in the Throne Room.
The balcony moment
Both coronations featured a moment of the royals waving from the Buckingham Palace balcony. (Here's who was on the balcony at Charles's coronation.)
The crowds
Both Elizabeth and Charles had rainy days for their coronation, but Charles's coronation had a much shorter procession, so there were less opportunities to see the king en route to the Abbey (and back).
The crowning
One thing that didn't change: the Archbishop of Canterbury crowning the sovereign with the Imperial State Crown.
The presentation of the Sword of State
Another consistent part of the service was the presentation of the Sword of State.
The homage
One major difference between the coronations of Queen Elizabeth and King Charles was the homage. At King Charles's coronation, Prince William was the only member of the royal family to pay homage; at Queen Elizabeth's coronation, Prince Philip went first (pictured), followed by royal princes and five senior peers.
Maids of honor versus pages of honor
Queen Elizabeth was supported by six maids of honor at her coronation, but Queen Camilla forwent having maids of honor for two ladies in attendance and four pages of honor. King Charles, too, was supported by four pages of honor.
The Crown Jewels
Both Elizabeth and Charles held the Sovereign's Sceptres during the coronation.
The dress code for guests
Queen Elizabeth's coronation was a formal affair, with many attendees wearing coronets and tiaras. At King Charles's coronation, there was not a tiara in sight—the Princess of Wales, for example, opted for a floral headpiece.
Bored young royals
As much as things change, some things stay the same: Then-Prince Charles, 4, and Prince Louis, 5, both looked bored at the coronations.
The regalia
Like the use of the Crown Jewels, the regalia used at the coronation was the same (though it was placed in a different spot at each coronation).
The formal portraits
Queen Elizabeth's portrait with Prince Philip was taken from a distance, whereas King Charles's portrait with Queen Camilla was shot in a tigther frame.
The anointing
Neither Queen Elizabeth nor King Charles's anointing was televised, and they were both anointed under different anointing screens.
The carriage ride
After the coronation service, both Charles and Elizabeth rode back to Buckingham Palace in a Gold State Coach. However, on the way there, Charles took the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
The Gold State Coach
Here's Elizabeth and Charles in the coach, 70 years apart.
The Westminster Abbey congregation
At Elizabeth's coronation, 8,251 guests attended, and more seating was built into the Abbey. At Charles's coronation, no additional seating was constructed, and just around 2,000 people were in the congregation.
Queens wearing white
It is tradition for royal women to wear white to the coronation—and the embroidery of Queen Camilla's gown mirrored that of Queen Elizabeth's gown.
The flypast
Both coronations featured a flypast afterwards.
The balcony moment (again)
Which led to young royals pointing out the aircraft in the sky. Prince Charles (left) points out the planes to his little sister, Princess Anne, while Prince George (right) points them out to one of his fellow pages.
Westminster Abbey
Elizabeth and Charles's coronations took place at Westminster Abbey, which has been the site of nearly every British coronation since 1066.
Walking out of the Abbey
70 years apart, Charles's exit and Elizabeth's exit from Westminster following the coronation looked strikingly similar.
The procession under Admiralty Arch
Following the coronation, both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles had a procession back to the Palace, but Elizabeth's route was much longer than Charles's route.
The senior working royals shot
The formal portraits taken at Buckingham Palace following the service looked very similar.
Extended family
However, King Charles did not opt to take a photograph with his extended family—the only one released featured senior working royals.
The royals at both
There were four members of the royal family (five, if you count King Charles) at both coronations: the Duke of Kent (pictured), his siblings Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael, and Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester.
Making sure everything is picture-perfect
Each coronation was a well-executed event.
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