Watch the video: British coronations – the most important ceremonies from almost 1000 years.
For 900 years, the coronation ceremonies of the kings and queens of the United Kingdom have taken place in Westminster Abbey. King Charles III is already the 40th ruler to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. In 1953 the last queen was crowned. At that time, the 27-year-old Queen Elizabeth II managed to ensure that the entire ceremony could be broadcast on television and thus watched live by millions of Britons. Images showing the British rulers existed before this: an old engraving depicts William the Conqueror in 1066. William I was the first Norman king and the first to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. One of the most famous paintings of a coronation ceremony is this picture of Elizabeth I. She was crowned in 1559 and holds the orb, a symbol of the Christian world with a cross and scepter meant to represent her power. Another famous painting depicts the coronation of George IV in 1821. The robe, scepter and throne are reminiscent of the coronation of Elizabeth I. During the coronation of George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, the first film footage of a coronation was made. The Archbishop of Canterbury put George VI. Crowned King Edward during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 1937. A canopy was held over the king for anointing. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Elizabeth II, also took place on this day.