Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty
One day, she was simply Princess Elizabeth, the next:Queen Elizabeth.
Technically, the monarchbecame Queen after her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. But her coronation didn’t come for more than a year after his death, in order toallow time to plan the elaborate event, and in hopes that they’d get a sunny day in June (they didn’t.) Asfans ofThe Crownknow, it is also said that the wait was partially for political reasons.
The Queen Mother, Prince Charles and Princess Margaret.Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
The newly-crowned Queen took the Coronation Oath atWestminster Abbey, where the three-hour-long service went off without a hitch. She was crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown, the same one that her father was crowned with 16 years before.
The traditional (and heavy!) crown is only ever used at a coronation — the State Imperial Crown is used for other occasions afterwards, like theOpening of Parliament. She also wore the centuries-old coronation ring, on the fourth finger of her right hand, and carried the Orb, a gold sphere topped with a cross covered in diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphire, pearls and an amethyst.
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Unlike in previous coronations, the Queen was the only person crowned.Prince Philipwas not a King Consort, like the Queen Mother had been a Queen Consort, and was also crowned during her husband’s coronation ceremony. However, following the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was the first person to pay homage to the new monarch.
Prince Philip bows to his wife, Queen Elizabeth, at her Coronation in 1953.Fox Photos/Getty Images
Three million more lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the new monarch riding from the Abbey back toBuckingham Palace. The route was designed to take as long as possible, in order for more people to be able to see the Queen. It took two hours total to make the relatively short journey. She did so in an intricate gilded carriage.
Queen Elizabeth in her Coronation carriage.Fox Photos/Getty Images
It was also the first coronation to be broadcast on television, with 27 million Britons watching and an additional 11 million listening on the radio. During the radio broadcast, the Queen said her own personal words of devotion to the people of the Commonwealth in herCoronation speech.
“The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are veiled in the mists of the past,” she said. “But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages never, perhaps, more brightly than now. I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”
Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty
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The royal family after the Queen’s Coronation ceremony.Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images
The day ended with the traditional appearance of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. A Royal Air Force flypast flew over the Mall, despite the rain clouds. And after the sun went down,fireworks lit up the London skyover the Thames.
source: people.com
