Decoding the Coronation

Historic rites, rituals and conventions explained

- Jonathan Gordon

In 1066, William I (the Conqeuror) was the first English monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. 957 years later, Charles III is the 40th monarch to hold their coronation in the iconic Central London church – and not much about the ceremony will have changed. From the days of the Norman Conquest to now, the way in which England and then Great Britain has chosen to celebrate its new monarchs has remained largely the same. The rites and rituals have long histories, many dating back long before 1066, and so do many of the objects and artefacts that play key symbolic roles in the ceremony. It’s not all just pomp and pageantry, as we’re about to reveal.

Coronation FAQ

The key questions answered

Why is there a coronation?
Going back to at least 1066, the coronation of the English/British monarch has been an initiation right; a symbolic ceremony where the new monarch is invested with the symbols of rule to mark their taking on of these new responsibilities.

Isn’t a monarch automatically king/queen?
Yes. As soon as a monarch dies, their heir becomes the new monarch. The ceremony does not mark the beginning of their reign. Historically it was about making that succession official before God and the people.

Why the long wait for the coronation?
This is mainly a question of respect for the deceased and wanting the coronation to be a moment of celebration, not of mourning.

Why is it a religious ceremony?