A fascinating, richly detailed account of how Britain's most unique and enduring royal ceremony has evolved in modern times. Each monarch, their families, courtiers and politicians, have sought to mould the ancient ceremony of coronation into something that reflects the spirit of their age and their ambitions for a new chapter. At their disposal, a show-stopping arsenal that includes the gothic splendour of Westminster Abbey, world-leading pageantry, a guest list of the great and the good - and, of course, the crown jewels.
With access to the royal archives, this book reveals the human stories, triumphs and disappointments behind the splendour that has surrounded the crowning of Britain's modern monarchs. Discover how the young Queen Victoria felt about the unrehearsed chaos that unfolded on her coronation day; why George VI dreaded his coronation; how Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation united the country, but ignited a family scandal; and why the carefully choreographed 2023 event looked to both the past and the future.
The story of royal coronations from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, is the story of modern Britain. Nearly three decades into the 21st century, coronations remain a powerful tool that helps tell our national story - one that reaffirms the 'soft power' of the crown - and underpins the survival of the monarchy itself. This book includes a timely reflection on the 2023 coronation, as well as looking to the future and asking, when the time comes for King William and Queen Catherine to be crowned, what will their coronation be like?
