In Photos: King Charles III's Coronation Compared To Queen Elizabeth II's
King Charles was crowned seven decades after the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
By CHELSEY SANCHEZ - published
Photo: Getty Images
In Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Compared to King Charles III's
A lot has changed in the 70 years that have elapsed since Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and King Charles III's coronation.
The late queen was crowned in a lavish ceremony in 1953. Extravagance reigned at her nearly three hour-long service, which was the first-ever to be televised and was subsequently watched by millions of people. Now, seven decades later, Queen Elizabeth's eldest child, Charles, has officially ascended the throne—and, while his own coronation certainly wasn't lacking in opulence, the ceremony took a slightly more modern approach. Guests generally dressed more casually than the attendees of Elizabeth's coronation, and the king made sure to prioritise sustainability while planning the event's different elements.
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Buckingham Palace previously announced that the coronation service, which took place today at Westminster Abbey, would "reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry."
The ceremony was intentionally designed to weave in the king's lifelong passion for the environment, with decisions being made in the interest of sustainability. This included the king and queen consort's reuse of their throne chairs and crowns, the invitations being printed on recycled paper, and thoughtfully crafted floral arrangements.
Ahead, see a comparison of Elizabeth and Charles' coronations through photos.
Queen Elizabeth sits inside the Gold State Coach en route to Westminster Abbey.
King Charles and Queen Camilla also ride the Gold State Coach, but traveled in it upon exiting Westminster Abbey.
The queen enters Westminster Abbey wearing the Robe of State.
Charles prepares to leave the abbey while cloaked in his Robe of Estate.
A view of the procession during the queen's coronation.
The same location, 70 years later.
Queen Elizabeth sits in the Coronation Chair.
Charles sits in the same seat after being crowned.
The monarch sits on her throne after being crowned.
Charles is seated in his throne after being crowned.
The queen carries the Orb and Sceptre after her crowning.
Charles carries the Orb and Sceptre while exiting Westminster Abbey.
A four-year-old Prince Charles appears bored during the ceremony, during which he sits between the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
Likewise, Prince Louis is photographed yawning throughout his grandfather's coronation.
The queen and Prince Philip wave to onlookers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
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Charles and Camilla appear on the balcony.
Other royals join Elizabeth and Philip on the balcony.
A photo showing the full balcony following Charles and Camilla's coronation.
Female members of the royal family wear white dresses and tiaras for Elizabeth's coronation.
Though Princess Kate does not wear a tiara, she does wear a silver Jess Collet x Alexander McQueen leaf embroidery headpiece and a white Alexander McQueen gown.
Princess Margaret arrives for the coronation of her older sister.
Princess Kate travels by coach following the coronation of Charles and Camilla.
Police contain a crowd of spectators.
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Crowds take photos during the procession of the king.
This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.