Vintage photos of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation show how King Charles' is set to be a comparatively low-key affair

Maria NoyenMay 5, 2023, 17:16 IST

Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 (L) and King Charles III in 2023 (R).Fox Photos/Getty Images, Yui Mok - Pool/Getty Images

King Charles' coronation is set to take place on Saturday, 70 years after his mother's.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was a huge extravaganza with pomp and ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth II was the last British monarch to have a coronation.

Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation in Westminster Abbey, London, on June 2, 1953.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

King Charles III is set to have his own coronation on Saturday.

King Charles III.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Back in 1953, an estimated 3 million civilians flocked to London for the Queen's coronation.

Crowds of people line Trafalgar Square in London in 1953.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Many people camped outside the night before Queen Elizabeth's coronation, including families with young children.

Spectators on the coronation procession route wait through the night in London, UK, on June 2, 1953.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Queen drove past crowds in an ornate carriage known as the Gold Stage Coach. It's almost 300 years old and required £10,000 to regild and refurbish it at the time.

The stagecoach that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip rode was gilded in gold.Fox Photos/Getty Images

The Queen drove past crowds in an ornate carriage known as the Gold Stage Coach. It's almost 300 years old and required £10,000 to regild and refurbish it at the time.

However, Charles will reportedly arrive at his coronation, held at Westminster Abbey, in a new stagecoach.

The Gold Stage Coach was seen during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on June 5, 2022, in London, England.Samir Hussein/WireImage

The only person in the Gold Stage Coach beside the Queen on the day of her coronation was her husband, Prince Philip.

The Queen and Prince Philip in the Gold Stage Coach on June 2, 1953.The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Image

Camilla will join Charles on the journey to Westminster Abbey, but she'll have an even bigger role in the event when she is crowned Queen.

King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arrive at St. Anne's Cathedral to attend a Service of Reflection for the life of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth in Belfast, Tuesday, September 13, 2022.AP

Roughly 8,000 guests were invited to attend the 1953 coronation ceremony in person.

Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

On the other hand, Charles' coronation is tightening the guest list to 2,200. But millions will still be able to tune into a live broadcast.

King Charles III attends the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2022, in Sandringham, Norfolk.Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth wore a custom-designed white satin dress embroidered with the emblems of the UK and the Commonwealth in gold and silver thread.

Queen Elizabeth II arrives for her coronation, on June 2, 1953, in London.AFP via Getty Images

She later changed into a simple linen gown for her anointing ceremony, which was not televised.

Queen Elizabeth II in her second dress during her coronation on June 2, 1953.Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images

Meanwhile, it's been reported that Charles may opt to wear military regalia instead of his coronation robes.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, and King Charles III walk behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin on September 14, 2022, in London, UK.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth was anointed with holy oil by Geoffrey Fisher, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time.

The canopy is placed over Queen Elizabeth II for the anointing ceremony during her coronation.Keystone/Getty Images

Charles will be anointed by Justin Welby, the current Archbishop of Canterbury. But his holy oil is the first to be made animal-cruelty free.

The Ampulla and Coronation Spoon, which was used at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, displayed on February 15, 2012, in London, England.Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images

When Queen Elizabeth arrived at Westminster Abbey, she was assisted into the church by her Coronation Maids of Honour – six "blue-blooded" women.

Queen Elizabeth II's maids of honour accompanied her up Westminster Abbey for the ceremony.Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Her coronation also saw royal dukes, like her husband Prince Philip, pay homage by bending the knee to her.

Prince Philip bows to Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation.PA Images via Getty Images

But following the release of Prince Harry's memoir, news of the role of dukes being scrapped from the upcoming coronation began circulating.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022, in London, England (L), King Charles III in Sandringham, Norfolk, on December 25, 2022 (R).WireImage/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth's coronation was a lengthy four-hour service due to how many traditional features were kept in the event.

Queen Elizabeth II seated in the Chair of Estate.Fox Photos/Getty Images

However, Charles is reportedly skipping a few traditions in order to streamline the coronation.

Westminster Abbey in London on July 11, 2020.JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Speaking of tradition, Queen Elizabeth's coronation chair was used for every coronation of an English monarch – with a few exceptions – since 1296.

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

Charles will be no different. Restoration work on the same chair began in February so it can be used at his coronation.

Conservator Krista Blessley works on the restoration of a Coronation chair on February 28, 2023, at Westminster Abbey in London.Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

Celebrations and street parties in honor of Queen Elizabeth's coronation were thrown throughout the UK.

A street party at Morpeth Street in London's East End, to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 2nd June 1953.John Chillingworth/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Likewise, Buckingham Palace has announced a public holiday in the UK and has encouraged the public to take part in the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday.

Street party celebrating royal wedding of Prince harry and Meghan Markle in Suffolk, England, on May 19, 2018.Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

American Airlines has opened a new $250 million employee-only hotel in Texas, with 600 rooms — see inside Skyview 6

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Vintage photos of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation show how King Charles' is set to be a comparatively low-key affair

Queen Elizabeth II was the last British monarch to have a coronation.

King Charles III is set to have his own coronation on Saturday.

Back in 1953, an estimated 3 million civilians flocked to London for the Queen's coronation.

Many people camped outside the night before Queen Elizabeth's coronation, including families with young children.

The Queen drove past crowds in an ornate carriage known as the Gold Stage Coach. It's almost 300 years old and required £10,000 to regild and refurbish it at the time.

However, Charles will reportedly arrive at his coronation, held at Westminster Abbey, in a new stagecoach.

The only person in the Gold Stage Coach beside the Queen on the day of her coronation was her husband, Prince Philip.

Camilla will join Charles on the journey to Westminster Abbey, but she'll have an even bigger role in the event when she is crowned Queen.

Roughly 8,000 guests were invited to attend the 1953 coronation ceremony in person.

On the other hand, Charles' coronation is tightening the guest list to 2,200. But millions will still be able to tune into a live broadcast.

Queen Elizabeth wore a custom-designed white satin dress embroidered with the emblems of the UK and the Commonwealth in gold and silver thread.

She later changed into a simple linen gown for her anointing ceremony, which was not televised.

Meanwhile, it's been reported that Charles may opt to wear military regalia instead of his coronation robes.

Queen Elizabeth was anointed with holy oil by Geoffrey Fisher, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time.

Charles will be anointed by Justin Welby, the current Archbishop of Canterbury. But his holy oil is the first to be made animal-cruelty free.

When Queen Elizabeth arrived at Westminster Abbey, she was assisted into the church by her Coronation Maids of Honour – six "blue-blooded" women.

Her coronation also saw royal dukes, like her husband Prince Philip, pay homage by bending the knee to her.

But following the release of Prince Harry's memoir, news of the role of dukes being scrapped from the upcoming coronation began circulating.

Queen Elizabeth's coronation was a lengthy four-hour service due to how many traditional features were kept in the event.

However, Charles is reportedly skipping a few traditions in order to streamline the coronation.

Speaking of tradition, Queen Elizabeth's coronation chair was used for every coronation of an English monarch – with a few exceptions – since 1296.

Charles will be no different. Restoration work on the same chair began in February so it can be used at his coronation.

Celebrations and street parties in honor of Queen Elizabeth's coronation were thrown throughout the UK.

Likewise, Buckingham Palace has announced a public holiday in the UK and has encouraged the public to take part in the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday.