Coronation Attire

The coronation of a monarch is a grand and formal event, steeped in history and tradition. The attire worn during a coronation is a critical component, conveying the regal and authoritative nature of the monarchy. We take a look at the attire worn at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and how King Charles III's coronation might differ.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S CORONATION ATTIRE

Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 was a momentous occasion, marking the beginning of her reign as the Queen of England. Her attire for the coronation was designed by Norman Hartnell, and it was a stunning example of traditional British dress.

The Queen's attire consisted of a white satin gown, embroidered with the emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The gown was also embellished with pearls and crystals, adding a touch of glamour to the regal attire. Over the gown, the Queen wore a coronation robe, made from silk velvet and lined with ermine. The robe was adorned with gold embroidery and was held in place by a gold stole.

The Queen's crown was also a critical component of her coronation attire. The St. Edward's Crown, made from solid gold and encrusted with jewels, was placed on the Queen's head during the coronation ceremony. In addition to the crown, the Queen wore a veil and carried a sceptre and an orb, all richly adorned with jewels and gold.

The clothing worn by the Queen's attendants during the coronation was also regal and formal. The attendants, including high-ranking members of the clergy, politicians, and military officials, were all dressed in formal attire, including suits and traditional robes.

KING CHARLES III'S CORONATION ATTIRE

At his coronation, King Charles III will wear several layers of sumptuous vestments, from the gold-sleeved 'Supertunica' to the floor-length cloak called the 'Imperial Mantle.' The Supertunica was made for George V in 1911 and was worn by the King's mother, Elizabeth I at her coronation. The Imperial Mantle was made for Geoorge IV in 1821 and weighs around 7-8lb. It was also worn by Elizabeth I during her coronation. The garments are usually kept securely at the Tower of London and form part of the coronation regalia. Usually, the monarch has a new sword belt and glove made. However, King Charles has opted to reuse the belt and glove word by his grandfather, George VI.

Along with the heavy weight of the robes, the crown itself weighs nearly 5lbs. Known as St Edwards Crown, traditionally used at the moment of coronation. It dates from 1661, where it was used to crown Charles II, after the previous crown had been melted down following the Civil War and the execution of Charles I. It features a velvet cap, an ermine band and a solid gold frame, set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topaz and tourmalines.

The King will also wear a suit, likely in a traditional and regal shade such as navy blue or black. The suit will be tailored to perfection, with a focus on fit, comfort, and style.

The attendants  are also expected to wear formal attire, including suits and traditional robes. The attire worn by the attendants will vary depending on their rank and position, with clergy wearing traditional vestments and military officials wearing their dress uniforms.

THE ROLE OF TAILORING

Tailoring will play a critical role in the attire worn at Charles III's coronation, just as it did during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. The King's suit and the attire worn by the attendants will be tailored to perfection, with a focus on fit, comfort, and style.

Bespoke tailoring is likely to be used to create the perfect suits for the King and his attendants, with every detail tailored to the wearer's exact specifications. This ensures a perfect fit, and the bespoke process allows for customization and personalization that cannot be achieved with off-the-rack suits.

If you'd like to find out more about the bespoke process, or if you have any questions, please contact us today.