King Charles broke with tradition to wear sustainable, 200-year-old coronation robes

• King Charles wore coronation robes once worn by his grandfather, King George VI.
• Monarchs have historically worn brand-new robes for their coronations.

King Charles broke with tradition by wearing vintage, sustainable robes for his coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

While monarchs have historically worn brand-new robes for their coronations, Charles wore 200-year-old robes previously worn by past rulers.

Multiple previously used items were chosen for the coronation "in the interests of sustainability and efficiency," according to a Buckingham Palace press release.

The monarch arrived for the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey wearing the Robes of State, purple velvet robes first worn by King George VI, Charles' grandfather and Queen Elizabeth's father, for his own coronation in 1937.

According to Buckingham Palace, the velvet robes were conserved by the Royal School of Needlework in preparation for the coronation, while the lining and gold lace were conserved by robe restorers at robe supplier Ede and Ravenscroft.

During the ceremony, Charles changed into the gold Imperial Mantle that dates all the way back to 1821. It was the oldest garment on display during the coordination and was made for Charles' great-granduncle King George IV. Queen Elizabeth later wore the historic cape during her own coronation. Underneath the Imperial Mantle, Charles wore a gold coat originally made for George V in 1911, according to the palace.

In addition to the robes, Charles also sported a collection of accessories once worn by King George IV, George V, George VI, and his mother Queen Elizabeth II, including gloves and a swordbelt used by his grandfather nearly 100 years ago.

"We've got this wonderful, sustainable, eco-friendly king who's reusing something rather than having a new glove," Deborah Moore, CEO of Dents Glovemakers, told CBS News.

Queen Camilla's arrival robes were also vintage — they were previously made for Queen Elizabeth in 1953. She was also crowned with the Queen Mary's Crown, which was created in 1911 for Queen Mary, the consort of King George V, according to a press release on the royal family website. Camilla chose the previously worn crown in the efforts of sustainability, the press release added.