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Camilla will wear 2 robes during coronation, one of which was worn by Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Here are 7 hidden details woven into the garments.

May 1, 2023, 00:19 IST
Insider
During coronation on May 6, Camilla, the Queen Consort, will wear one robe worn by Queen Elizabeth II, and one with personalized details.Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images, Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images
  • King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will each wear two robes during their coronation on May 6.
  • Camilla will first wear the Robe of State that Queen Elizabeth wore to her coronation in 1953.
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The royal family on Saturday offered a sneak peek of the extravagant robes that King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will wear to the coronation on May 6.

In keeping with tradition, Charles and Camilla will each wear two robes to the coronation: the Robes of State, which are worn when arriving at Westminster Abbey, and the Robes of Estate, which are worn as they depart.

The crimson velvet Robe of State that Camilla will wear was initially made for the late Queen Elizabeth, King Charles' mother, who wore it to her coronation in 1953, according to the royal family's website.

Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation on June 2, 1953.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

The Robe of Estate, however, will be personalized for Camilla, according to People. Per the royal family's website, the robe is purple velvet and was made by Ede and Ravenscroft, London's oldest tailor. It was designed and hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

The stitching on the purple-velvet robe draws on themes of nature and the environment, with several designs holding significance.

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Here are some of the designs and what they mean

For the first time, according to the royal family's website, the Robe of Estate will include designs of insects. The stitching will consist of bees and a beetle, each representing "Their Majesties' affection for the natural world."

Continuing with the natural-world theme, the robe includes several plants and flowers.

"There are a number of plants featured in the robe, all chosen for their personal associations," the royal family's website states. One such flower is the Lily of the Valley. Per the royal family's website, the flower was part of Camilla's wedding bouquet and was a favorite flower of Queen Elizabeth II.

Myrtle and Alchemilla Mollis — also known as Lady's Mantle — will also appear on the garment. According to the royal family's website, Myrtle represents hope, while Lady's Mantle symbolizes "love and comfort." Additional details include designs of Maidenhair Fern, which implies purity, and cornflowers, which represent love and tenderness.

"The Cornflower also helps to attract and encourage wildlife such as bees and butterflies," per the royal family's website.

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Finally, Delphinium, a plant with blue flowers, will be featured because of its significance as one of Charles' favorite flowers, according to the royal family's website.

The flowering plant is also the birth flower of July, meant to symbolize Camilla's birthday: July 17, 1947.

Coronation will take place on May 6

The ceremony, taking place at Westminster Abbey, will confirm Charles as the official monarch of the United Kingdom following Queen Elizabeth's death last year. As Insider previously reported, more than 2,000 people are expected to turn out.

Among those in attendance are Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton. Prince Harry will attend as well, but one person is expected to be missing: Meghan Markle.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images

In a statement sent to Insider, Buckingham Palace said Meghan will remain in California with her and Harry's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

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Royal experts told Insider the decision for Harry to attend and Meghan to stay behind is a "brilliant" strategy.

"I think the decision for Harry to go, and for Meghan to stay home with the children on Archie's birthday is a brilliant way to split the difference," royal watcher Kristen Meinzer told Insider.

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