An inside look at all the royal coronations and jubilees - Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III
King Charles III's coronation took place in 2023
The British royal family’s coronations and jubilees are significant events that mark the milestones of the monarch’s reign.
Below is an overview of these pivotal events in the reigns of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her son King Charles III.
Royal coronations and jubilees: Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation – 1953
Queen Elizabeth II‘s coronation, on June 2, 1953, was a momentous occasion that celebrated the beginning of her reign.
The event was held at Westminster Abbey, continuing a thousand-year-old tradition of British royal coronations.
Coronations see the new monarch take an oath, promising to rule according to law, to exercise justice with mercy, and to maintain the Church of England.
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned with St. Edward’s Crown, the traditional symbol of the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation came several months after her accession, which occurred after the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952.
The coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth I took place on May 12, 1937, which was the original date set for Edward VIII’s coronation before his abdication.
The coronation was not just a religious ceremony but also a grand state occasion. In attendance were representatives from the government, Commonwealth nations, and foreign dignitaries.
Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilees
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated several jubilees during her reign, each marking a significant anniversary of her accession to the throne.
These jubilees reflected on her service and the continuity of the monarchy.
Silver Jubilee – 1977
Queen Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee in 1977 commemorated her 25 years on the throne. The celebrations began with church services in February and continued with a grand series of tours across the UK and Commonwealth.
Meanwhile, the queen visited more areas of Britain than any previous monarch, with her travels covering 36 counties.
The jubilee also saw the queen light a chain of 96 beacons across the country and culminated with a procession to St Paul’s Cathedral for a Service of Thanksgiving.
Golden Jubilee – 2002
In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II marked her golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years of reign. The celebrations included tours of the UK and the Commonwealth, with the queen and Prince Philip visiting Jamaica, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and several other countries.
The jubilee also featured a concert at Buckingham Palace with stars such as Paul McCartney and Elton John performing.
The jubilee weekend culminated with a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and a parade down The Mall.
The golden jubilee reflected on the achievements of the queen’s reign while looking toward the future.
Diamond Jubilee – 2012
The diamond jubilee in 2012 celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne. An exciting weekend of events began with the queen’s visit to the Epsom Derby, followed by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, where over 1,000 boats sailed along the River Thames.
The centrepiece of the celebrations became the concert at Buckingham Palace, featuring performances from international stars such as Stevie Wonder and Grace Jones.
Thousands of beacons were lit across the commonwealth, and the events culminated with a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a carriage procession, and a flypast over Buckingham Palace.
The diamond jubilee also saw the establishment of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Trust, which funded initiatives like Queen’s Young Leaders.
Sapphire Jubilee – 2017
On February 6, 2017, the queen marked her sapphire jubilee, commemorating 65 years of reign.
A photograph of Her Majesty wearing sapphire jewellery, a wedding gift from King George VI, was released to mark the occasion.
The sapphire jubilee highlighted her dedication to the monarchy. Although a more toned-down celebration compared to other jubilees, it still reflected the queen’s commitment to her role.
Platinum Jubilee – 2022
In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee as she marked 70 years on the throne.
The celebrations were a reflection of the queen’s dedication to her duty, renewing the pledge she made in 1947 to devote her life to public service.
Festivities included the launch of The Queen’s Green Canopy – a nationwide initiative to plant trees – and a four-day celebration.
The events featured Trooping the Colour, a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a concert at Buckingham Palace, and a pageant on The Mall.
Thousands of Big Jubilee Lunches were also held across the country, allowing communities to come together and celebrate.
Royal coronations and jubilees: King Charles III’s coronation – 2023
King Charles III’s coronation, which took place on May 6, 2023, marked the beginning of a new era for the British monarchy.
The ceremony was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The king took his coronation oath before being anointed with holy oil and crowned with St. Edward’s Crown.
Meanwhile, the coronation was accompanied by a procession through London. Then the king and Queen Camilla made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
A special Coronation Concert took place at Windsor Castle. It featured performances by Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Andrea Bocelli. Meanwhile, a special Coronation Big Lunch also encouraged people across the country to gather and celebrate.
The king’s coronation also saw the launch of the “Big Help Out” initiative.
Thousands of volunteer opportunities were available. It encouraged people to contribute to their communities.
Read more: Inside the biggest royal weddings and the marriages which have ended in divorce
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