ROYAL FORUM: Behind the Scenes of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953

An interesting documentary uncovers the tensions and conflict between the Queen Mother and Prince Philip in the build up to Princess Elizabeth’s coronation on June 2nd, 1953 shortly after the death of her father King George VI. For the one-day coronation ceremony, which would cost $4 million, 16 months of preparation.

The Queen’s Coronation: Behind Palace Doors:

Part I:
Part II: Part III: Part IV: Part V:

About the Coronation: The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the ceremony in which the newly ascended monarch, Elizabeth II, was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan, as well as taking on the role of Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth ascended the thrones of these countries upon the death of her father, the late King George VI on 6 February 1952, and was proclaimed queen by her various privy and executive councils shortly afterward. The coronation, however, was held more than a year after the accession, on 2 June 1953; this followed the long-standing tradition that a joyous festival such as a coronation was inappropriate during the period of mourning that followed the death of the preceding sovereign. In the coronation ceremony itself, Elizabeth swore an oath to uphold the laws of her nations and, specifically for England, to govern the Church of England. More Here ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* The Actual Ceremony in 7 Parts ******************************************************************* *******************************************************************

In Westminster Abbey, where English kings and queens have been crowned for 900 years, Elizabeth triumphantly receives her crown on June 2, 1953. Indeed, there were more than 200 microphones in the Abbey and along the procession routes, with 750 commentators broadcasting in 39 languages.

The Archbishop of Canterbury administers the Oath, and presents “Queen Elizabeth, your undoubted Queen,” meaning by hereditary right. The people respond with shouts of “God Save Queen Elizabeth.” Elizabeth solemnly promised and swore “to govern the People of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon.”

The procession of the royal coach through Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace is a spectacle unlike any England has ever seen. The Actual Televised Ceremony: Part 1/7: Part 2/7 Part 3/7 Part 4/7 Part 5/7 Part 6/7 Part 7/7 Related Blogs: