Coronations

King’s and Queen’s Coronation medals have long been an important part of the ceremonial occasion of a new monarch being crowned. They are designed especially for the occasion to reflect the solemnity and majesty of the ceremony, which is one that happens very infrequently and only following the death or abdication of the previous king or queen. This rarity makes some Coronation medals, particularly those that are older and still in good condition, highly valuable. Coronation medals have been struck to mark the Coronation of a new king or queen since 1547, when King Edward VI was crowned. When a...

The Coronation of a British monarch will always be a massive event. Whatever else is going on for the country – and wider world – the news agenda will always sit up and take notice of the crowning of a new King or Queen. The ceremony marks a stark change in the status quo. It heralds the arrival of a new reign, during which there could be a great deal of political and social upheaval. In a similar vein, many British Coronations have been subject to their own kinds of political change. Some have happened in close proximity to a...

Britain’s history is rich in royal traditions and ceremonies; pomp and circumstance. The unique take the country has on royal pageantry is never apparent than during the Coronation of a new king or Queen. These events take years to plan and are meticulous in their detail and organisation. An English Coronation offers the perfect chance for the country to show itself off at its best, as well as formally anoint a new monarch. British Coronation history is well documented, right down to full descriptions and images of British Coronation medals. Every Coronation has been different, reflecting the personalities and wishes...

Britain has seen a succession of monarchs crowned at Westminster Abbey in its long history. Indeed, the most recent British Coronation ceremony only took place in May 2023, when King Charles III was crowned alongside his wife and Consort, Queen Camilla. However, as resplendent as the ceremony was, it was not the most unusual UK Coronation ceremony the country has ever seen. That honour arguably goes to the Coronation of King William III and Queen Mary II on 11 April 1689 – the first British monarchs to be crowned as equals, to reign together as King and Queen of England,...

On 6 May 2023, King Charles III will be crowned during the first British Royal Coronation ceremony for seventy years. The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey in front of an invited congregation of 2,000 guests, with millions more people watching on television at home. As well as King Charles III’s crowning ceremony, there will also be a separate Queen crowning ceremony for his wife, Queen Camilla. Kind Charles III will wear a ceremonial crown and be anointed with holy oil as part of a complex ceremony filled with symbolism. So, will he be ‘coronated or crowned’? Although the...