Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Coronation of King Charles III: Vegan oil and fascinators among the contemporary touches

King Charles plans for a 21st-century coronation and they differ from the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953

Coronation of King Charles III: Vegan oil and fascinators among the contemporary touches

The upcoming coronation of King Charles III on May 6th will be steeped in ancient traditions, reminiscent of the 10th-century ceremony.

However, despite the significance of customs and rituals, the new king has expressed a desire to introduce modern elements to the proceedings.


Here's what we know about Charles' plans for a 21st-century coronation and how they differ from the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.

Smaller guest list

Westminster Abbey will host around 2,000 attendees during the upcoming coronation, whereas over 8,000 people had to cram onto custom-built platforms during the 1953 ceremony.

This reduction in numbers reflects Charles's goal of "streamlining" the monarchy, limiting it to only seven key members who perform official duties. Additionally, the duration of the ceremony will be significantly shorter, lasting just over an hour compared to the almost three-hour-long event in 1953.

Fascinators or tiaras?

During Elizabeth's coronation, nearly all female members of the royal family and female aristocrats adorned tiaras. The dress code for Charles's coronation is yet to be finalised, but there are rumours of a shift towards formal attire paired with hats or fascinators for all except the highest-ranking female royals.

Dressed down lords

A cross-party ballot will allocate a limited number of spots to MPs and members of the House of Lords for the coronation. In 1953, over 800 MPs and 900 peers, including dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons who inherited a seat with their title, attended wearing long crimson velvet cloaks.

Since the reform of the hereditary element in 1999, members of the House of Lords have been advised not to wear their special coronation robes. They can instead choose to wear their ceremonial robes typically worn during the state opening of parliament or standard business attire.

Recycled crown

Camilla will wear a crown originally made for Queen Mary, Charles's great-grandmother, in 1911. This will make her the first queen consort in almost 300 years to alter an existing crown for the occasion instead of commissioning a new one.

Vegan oil

The anointing oil used to crown the monarch will be vegan, which is a departure from the previous version that contained ambergris sourced from whale intestines. The new oil to be used in Charles's coronation ceremony will be free from animal products and will comprise scented olive oil with jasmine, sesame, neroli, cinnamon, benzoin, amber, and orange blossom.

Greek tribute

In memory of Prince Philip, Charles's father, who was born in Corfu and was a member of the Greek royal family, Greek Orthodox chanting will be included for the first time in a coronation ceremony. The Byzantine Chant Ensemble, led by Alexander Lingas, a professor of Orthodox music, has been specially formed for the performance. Additionally, the Ascension Choir will make history as the first gospel choir to perform at a coronation.

Girl power

In a historic first, girls will be among the scholarship pupils, referred to as King's scholars, from the prestigious Westminster School who will participate in the coronation ceremony. The school, located in central London, was all-boys in 1953. A diverse group of pupils, including girls, will cheer the monarch with the traditional Latin cry, "Vivat Rex Carolus!" ("Long live King Charles!").

All mod cons

While Elizabeth travelled to and from her coronation in the elaborate, 260-year-old Gold State Coach, which was uncomfortable, Charles and Camilla will only use it for their return journey. For their outward trip, they have chosen the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which comes equipped with shock absorbers, heating, and air conditioning.

Additionally, their return journey will be much shorter, covering a distance of only two kilometres (1.3 miles), in contrast to Elizabeth's seven-kilometre route that took two hours to complete.

Shoulders back

While 29,000 members of the armed forces participated in the 1953 coronation procession, Charles's return procession to Buckingham Palace will be a much smaller event. Just under 4,000 personnel, including military bands, will accompany him and Queen Camilla.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Keir-Starmer-Getty

Keir Starmer’s communications chief has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Starmer’s communications chief Matthew Doyle resigns after nine months

KEIR STARMER’s communications chief, Matthew Doyle, has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. Doyle, a Labour veteran who previously worked for Tony Blair, joined Starmer’s team as communications director four years ago when the party was in opposition.

His departure follows that of Sue Gray, Starmer’s former chief of staff, who left in the autumn. Doyle’s exit is expected to lead to the promotions of James Lyons to director of communications (strategy) and Steph Driver to director of communications (delivery), according to the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Leicester leaders push for major expansion amid local government shake-up

Leicester’s population is expected to grow from 372,000 now to just over 600,000 by 2028

Leicester leaders push for major expansion amid local government shake-up

Hannah Richardson

LEICESTER leaders have named the areas they want to be incorporated into the city amid a shake-up of local government structures. The massive expansion plan would see a number of towns and villages at the city’s edges brought inside Leicester’s boundary.

Leicester City Council is looking to take part of Blaby and Harborough districts, and part of Oadby and Wigston and Charnwood boroughs. Among the communities being eyed up are Glenfield, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Whetstone, Syston, Anstey, Leicester Forest East, Birstall, Kirby Muxloe, Thurmaston and Countesthorpe.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lakshmi-Mittal-Getty

Mittal, who built his steel business over five decades, moved to the UK in 1995. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Lakshmi Mittal may leave UK after non-dom tax abolition: report

STEEL tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is considering leaving the UK following the government’s decision to abolish the non-domiciled tax status. The move would make him one of the most prominent entrepreneurs to leave due to the tax reform.

Mittal, who has lived in the UK for three decades, has informed associates that his departure is likely due to Labour’s decision to end the non-dom regime, which allowed certain residents to avoid paying UK tax on foreign income.

Keep ReadingShow less
Benji Madden Says He Has a "Healthy Fear" of Cameron Diaz

The couple continues to celebrate milestones in their marriage

Getty

Cameron Diaz's husband Benji Madden: "I have a healthy fear of her"

Joel Madden, who is married to fashion designer and reality TV star Nicole Richie, also shared insights into his relationship on the podcast. The couple has been married since 2010 and are parents to two children: daughter Harlow, 17, and son Sparrow, 15. Joel spoke candidly about the way his wife "runs the show" in their household, while also stressing that they are equal partners.

“I don't know if I ever thought someone could keep me,” Joel admitted. “I don't know how I felt about it. I was a relationship guy, but then I met Nicole, and she absolutely runs the show, but we are partners.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Sofia Carson’s ‘The Life List’ Has Viewers Rethinking Their Relationships

Sofia Carson in The Life List – The Netflix rom-com that’s making viewers rethink their relationships

Instagram/netflixfilm

Sofia Carson’s new Netflix rom-com 'The Life List' is making viewers dump their partners

Sofia Carson’s latest romantic comedy, The Life List, is doing more than just entertaining audiences. In fact, it’s making them question their love lives. The Netflix film, set to release this Friday, has reportedly led several test viewers to break up with their partners after watching it.

Directed by Adam Brooks and based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel, the story follows Alex Rose, played by Carson, a woman at a turning point in her life. When her mother, portrayed by Connie Britton, passes away, Alex discovers an unusual condition in her will. To claim her inheritance, she must first complete the childhood bucket list she wrote at 13. The list includes challenges like performing stand-up comedy and diving into a mosh pit, but one task proves far more difficult: finding true love!

Keep ReadingShow less