It appears that King Charles won’t be the only one crowned on the day of his coronation.
Buckingham Palace released an official statement on Tuesday confirming that the monarch’s crowning ceremony (AKA his coronation) will be held on May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey in London.
His Majesty will be crowned the King of England by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of the entire nation (though he already assumed the role itself upon his mother's death).
Before her passing, Queen Elizabeth named her son as the official successor to take over the British throne. And now, with the approach of the coronation, it seems that one new element will also come into play. Unlike at his mother’s coronation, Charles’s spouse, Queen Consort Camilla, will be crowned alongside her husband during the celebration.
According to People, Camilla will be the first Queen Consort in almost a century to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. King George VI’s wife, Queen Elizabeth (also known as The Queen Mother), was named the new Queen Consort in 1937 and received a crown with over 2,000 diamonds on the exterior. However, at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, her husband, Prince Philip, did not receive a crown alongside her.
Per the palace, “The husband of a reigning Queen, unlike a Queen Consort, is not crowned or anointed at the coronation ceremony. In 1953, The Duke of Edinburgh was, however, the first peer to ‘do homage’ or pay his respects to The Queen, immediately after the Archbishops and Bishops.”
Back in February, Her Majesty shared her desire for Camilla to inherit the title of Queen Consort when Charles ascended to the throne. The queen’s message read, “This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years.
“I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support,” she continued. “I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.”
The late monarch added, “And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
A new (royal) era is almost upon us.
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