The Coronation Weekend.

[curiouswombat]

Like so many others I sat entranced in front of the TV from fairly early morning until a late lunchtime on Saturday. A coronation really is a momentous occasion, and this was the first UK one in my lifetime.

This is not a minute by minute, blow by blow, account - just some of the things that struck me and that I want to remember.

Comments

[pondhopper]

Thank you for this lovely account. I watched most of the ceremonies but don't have the depth of understand those of you closer to the history do. The pageantry amazes me. Despite Spain being a monarchy we just don't have that ceremonial tradition here.
Princess Anne still cuts a fine figure in uniform, doesn't she?

I so agree with you about Harry. What a whiner!

Letizia has always been thin and works hard to maintain her figure. We joked that the enormous hat she was wearing was so she wouldn't need an umbrella on a rainy day. But she does do bright pink very well!

It was all really quite lovely and I loved seeing all the children participate.

[curiouswombat]

The pageantry is quite something! Although, as the commentators pointed out, most of the regalia is fairly modern having been made for Charles 2nd's coronation in 1661 because Cromwell melted all the original stuff down. Apart from the anointing spoon, apparently, which is 13th century. Presumably someone hid it and it was too small for Cromwell to be bothered about :)

Princess Anne does look good in her uniform - and, as Clair Balding pointed out, was by far the most skilled and experienced rider on parade. She was probably more comfortable riding that she would have been in one of the coaches, too. Queen Letizia's hat was very stylish - and considering the weather they had, being thin enough to keep dry under it was an added bonus!

[gillo]

most of the regalia is fairly modern having been made for Charles 2nd's coronation in 1661 because Cromwell melted all the original stuff down.

According to Dave who passed his time looking such stuff up, the actual coronation crown may very well be the real deal. St Edward;s crown, made for Henry III, I believe, was assumed melted down, but the accounts survive for all Charles II's regalia and there is no record of that amount of gold being purchased - so it could well have survived in some form before being tarted up for the Merry Monarch.

Of course, "modern" is a relative term in such a context. I loved David Olusoga on TV being blown away by the fact that much of the ceremony would have been recognisable to William the Conqueror, and in the same location as his bash. Fortunately, however over-zealous the Met were, they did manage not to set fire to nearby houses at least!

[curiouswombat]

Hmm - yes, it would have taken a fair bit of gold to make a new version of that crown - well researched that man!

I do think they could have kept the burning down of houses as part of the proceedings, what with it being an established tradition... :)

[gillo]

Only if Rees-Mogg's house was involved.

He must have been seriously cheesed off not to get an invitation. He could have done Penny Mordaunt's job if his pal Boris had stayed in situ. For which relief, much thanks.

[curiouswombat]

Oh my goodness yes - he would have relished knee breeches and buckled shoes!