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From Past to Present: A Visual Comparison Of Charles III’s And Elizabeth II’s Coronations

Ashley - June 19, 2023

The majestic monarchy in Britain has ruled for several centuries, and each coronation of a new Queen or King has been a highly anticipated and publicized event. Queen Elizabeth II reigned for an impressive 70 years, becoming the first monarch to do so in Britain. Her son, Charles III, patiently awaited his turn to ascend to the throne, and that time had finally arrived! There were many notable differences between Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years ago to the one King Charles III experienced. The size of the congregation was significantly smaller for King Charles III, and the dress code was far more relaxed, but many things stayed the same despite the passing of seven long decades. Check out these fascinating pictures comparing the two monarch’s coronations. We’ll highlight some of the similarities and differences, though the most obvious difference will be the photos from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation are all black and white!

From Past to Present: A Visual Comparison Of Charles III’s And Elizabeth II’s Coronations — Photo Credit: gettyimages.com

The Royal Portrait

Nothing says royalty quite like getting your portrait taken while decked out in royal attire. Both monarchs wore the Robe of Estate and the Imperial State Crown while holding the Sovereign’s Orb and Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross in their portraits. However, King Charles III’s photo, taken by Hugo Burnand, was captured while he sat on a throne chair in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. Cecil Beaton took Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait and showed her in front of a backdrop of Westminster Abbey. The photos show both monarchs serious expressions as they contemplate this new stage in their lives.

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Carriage Rides Through The Ages

Like many aspects of the coronation ceremony in Britain, the iconic Gold State Coach looks like it came straight from a fairy tale. This majestic coach has provided transportation for many monarchs to and from their coronations. King William IV rode on this coach in 1831, as did Queen Victoria in 1838 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. King Charles III finally got his chance to ride in the Gold State Coach on the way to his coronation at 73. He is the oldest monarch in Britain’s extensive history to ascend to the throne. You can easily see the look of pure joy on his face during this carriage ride, while Queen Elizabeth II appears more reserved and perhaps even nervous. It was a lot of responsibility for such a young woman to take on!

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The Classic Balcony Wave

It’s a little crazy to see how similar these two moments in history are, despite being 70 years apart! Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III both stood on the balcony of the Buckingham Palace to wave to the crowd. You can see the enthusiasm and grace pictured on each monarch’s face as they take in that moment. Their spouses look equally pleased, and it’s an iconic moment in history that will be forever solidified in the memories of all those who attended. King Charles and Queen Camilla appear a bit more relaxed than the royal couple in 1953, but this slightly less formal atmosphere is one we’ll see repeated throughout key moments in the ceremony.

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Queen Elizabeth II’s Anointing Ceremony

This photograph captures the most sacred part of any British monarch’s coronation ceremony. Queen Elizabeth II was 27 years old when she underwent the anointing ceremony back in 1953. The Archbishop of Canterbury performed the ceremony while a tall, enclosed awning provided the Queen with partial cover. This was done to give the Queen some privacy from cameras and guests in order to preserve this holy moment between herself and God. Let’s see how this moment compares to King Charles III’s ceremony.

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King Charles III’s Anointing Ceremony

King Charles III’s anointing ceremony took place nearly 70 years after his late mothers. On May 6, 2023, he underwent the holy ceremony, and the differences between his and his mother’s anointing ceremonies are pretty noticeable. Rather than a simple awning, the King was completely shielded from view by a partition embroidered with a tree of the Commonwealth and angels. A choir sang “Zadok the Priest,” a triumphant and reverent hymn, while the ceremony took place. While these differences are notable, there were also some similarities. Both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III removed their royal attire and received the anointing in plain white clothes as a symbolic way of humbling themselves to God.

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The Adoring And Excited Crowds

It’s stunning to see the images of these crowds side-by-side. Both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III experienced rainy days during their coronation, and you can see the water on the street in each photo. While both crowds were adoring, excited, and respectful of the process, there is a key difference. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed close to 8,000 relatives, dignitaries, and friends during her coronation, while King Charles III only had around 2,000 guests. This significantly smaller crowd was intentional and was a nod to Charles’s “slimmed-down” monarchy approach.

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The Spectators For Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation

We already addressed the clear size difference between the crowds in both monarch’s coronations, but there are a few other fascinating differences to note. This picture shows the spectators huddling under umbrellas as they watch the Queen’s coronation. You can tell the guests are taking this moment very seriously. Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best clothing, and there’s a respectful stillness through the crowd that was beautifully captured in this photo. King Charles III’s crowd was slightly different.

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King Charles II’s Spectators

As fate would have it, King Charles II’s coronation also fell on a rainy day. Rather than a sea of umbrellas dominating this picture, we see the crowd dressed mainly in rain ponchos and other waterproof gear. You’ll also notice several people in the crowd talking amongst themselves. Of course, this being the 21st century, there are also plenty of cell phones out to capture this historic moment. The crowd appears more casual in this photo than they did during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, which is a fascinating testament to the way societal norms can change over the course of 70 years!

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The Big Moment: The Crowning

This is an iconic moment that the crowds and the monarchs themselves anticipate during the coronation. The crowning is a significant moment that symbolizes the responsibility the monarch is taking on, along with the regality of their newfound position. The Archbishop of Canterbury bestowed Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III with St. Edward’s Crown during their respective coronations. These historical moments are amazingly similar despite the time difference, and the formality of the moment appears to be a continuing tradition, even with King Charles III’s more casual approach to certain aspects of his coronation.

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Presenting The Sword Of State

This part of the ceremony has remained consistent throughout many coronations. These side-by-side pictures of the sword being presented to Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III are amazingly similar. The Sword of State is presented to the reigning monarch and entrusted to them “for the protection of good and the punishment of evil,” according to the Royal Trust Collection. It’s a symbol of massive responsibility and faith. Perhaps that’s why both monarchs appear very serious and stoic at this moment. This was a moment for reverence and solemness, and both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles nailed it.

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Presenting The Crown Jewels In 1953

Along with the Sword of State, other precious crown jewels are presented to the reigning monarch during their coronation. This picture shows Queen Elizabeth II receiving the centuries-old scepters, the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross and the Sovereign’s Scepter with Dove, which are part of the crown jewels. These scepters represent the monarch’s spiritual connection to God, and it is not a moment that is taken lightly in this moment from the Queen’s coronation.

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Presenting The Crown Jewels In 2023

Seventy years after Queen Elizabeth II received the crown jewels, this photo shows her son finally becoming the reigning monarch and accepting the crown jewels. The look of concentration and reverence on King Charles III’s face doesn’t go unnoticed. The Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross contains one of the largest diamonds in the world, and both scepters were made over 350 years ago.

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The Maids Versus Pages Of Honor

Queen Elizabeth II had the support of six maids of honor during her coronation. It was a pretty standard tradition for the reigning monarch to have maids of honor supporting her during the ceremony. However, during King Charles III’s coronation, his wife, Queen Camilla, did things a little differently. She was supported by two ladies in attendance and four pages of honor. King Charles III had likewise been supported by four pages of honor. This isn’t a massive break from tradition by any means, but it does show the progressive strides Britain has made over the past seventy years.

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The Televised Coronation Of Queen Elizabeth II

The coronation of a new British monarch is always big news around the world. This photo shows how the event was televised in Marpole Community Centre, Vancouver. Over 1200 people were able to see the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as it was televised from London. This was a significant moment because technology had come a long way since the previous coronation. Groups of people gathered around the large box televisions to witness this historical moment.

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The Televised Coronation Of King Charles III

Welcome to the 21st century! The differences between this picture and the previous one are astonishing. A couple of large flat-screen televisions hooked up in Lincoln Center in New York City allowed thousands to view the coronation of King Charles III. You can see the excitement in the crowd, and of course, there are plenty of cell phones being held up to capture this moment. What a difference seventy years can make!

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A Different Dress Code For A Different Era

We’ve touched on how some of the differences between Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III’s coronations are matters of formality previously in this article. One of the most notable examples of the more casual atmosphere King Charles III’s coronation had is the dress code for guests. Many attendees wore coronets and tiaras during Queen Elizabeth’s coronation to keep up with the formalities of the event. However, during King Charles’s coronation, people still dressed up, but not to the same extent. There wasn’t a tiara in sight, and even the Princess of Wales chose to wear a flowered headpiece rather than a formal tiara.

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An Unexpected Pledge In 1953

Something that set Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation apart from previous British monarchs was this one defining moment. Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband, took the country by surprise during his wife’s coronation. He got down on his knees and pledged his allegiance to her. After verbally pledging his allegiance, he sealed the deal with a sweet kiss on the cheek. It was an unexpected and historical moment that appears to have created a new tradition.

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Continuing The Tradition In 2023

While the pledge wasn’t given by a spouse in 2023, there’s no doubt that the same intentions lead to this emotional moment. In an effort to pay homage to his father and pledge his allegiance to the new reigning monarch, Prince William also knelt during the coronation ceremony. He said, “I pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you as your liege man of life and limb, so help me God.” Prince William then kissed his father on the cheek in a moment so emotional and charged that many in attendance teared up.

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Young Royals Struggling Through The Ceremony

Royals are expected to behave a certain way and this system of manners and etiquette is trained into them from a young age. Of course, kids will be kids, and it’s actually pretty funny to see this side-by-side comparison. During Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, Prince Charles, aged four, can be seen struggled to appear engaged in this photo. Likewise, Prince Louis, age five, let out a big yawn right as this picture was taken during King Charles II’s coronation. While many things have changed over the past seventy years, the attention span of young children seems to have remained the same!

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The Royal Family In 1953

This is a beautiful picture of the Royal Family standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II. It was a triumphant moment, and the young men and women in this picture look hopeful for the future. Queen Elizabeth II appears in awe after such an intense ceremony. Let’s see how this family portrait compares to the one taken in 2023!

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The Royal Family In 2023

Well, that’s definitely a big difference! Let’s point out the obvious first. There are a lot more young men than women in this photo as compared to the portrait taken in 1953. Along with that, the excitement on everyone’s faces is far more pronounced. Everyone appears thrilled with how the ceremony has been, and there’s a spark of youthful joy among those on the balcony.

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The Significance Of The Sovereign’s Orb

The Sovereign’s Orb is a key piece of the Crown Jewels. Its value is immeasurable, and it’s a significant piece of tradition and history. The Sovereign’s Orb was made in 1661 and is covered in pearls and precious gems. You can see the look of concentration and reverence on the faces of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III in their respective photos. Holding the Sovereign’s Orb would be a defining moment during their coronations, and one for which each reigning monarch gave the proper reverence.

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The Coronation Regalia

Here is something that hasn’t changed over the past seventy years. The Coronation Regalia are unique objects meant to represent the powers and responsibilities of the monarch. They are a symbol of everything the reigning monarch is entrusted with in their newfound position, and these objects deserve the highest level of respect. The same objects were used in both Queen Elizabeth II’s and King Charles III’s coronation ceremonies. However, they were placed in different areas during the ceremonies.

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The Procession In 1953

This photo captures a glimpse of the procession as Queen Elizabeth II’s coach passes down the Mall. There is an enormous crowd of onlookers watching her procession as she’s escorted through the street. It’s ironic that her ride took place on a rainy day since the exact same thing happened seventy years later during King Charles III’s ride down the Mall!

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The Procession In 2023

King Charles III rode in the Diamon Jubilee State Coach down the Mall during his coronation. He was accompanied by the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry as a sea of people stood to witness this historic occasion. The King’s coronation was so popular that people were turned away from the Mall because crowds had grown too large. It was an amazing outpouring of support for the new reigning monarch.

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The Coronation Outfit In 1953

Coronations of new monarchs are often high-profile events, and those involved want to dress their best. Queen Elizabeth II wore a beautiful gown during her coronation that almost looked like a wedding dress. This photo captured the Queen as she left Buckingham Palace dressed in a white silk gown. The gown was decorated with flowers to represent parts of the Commonwealth. Her outfit also included a long, velvet train, which required multiple people to carry it. Obviously, King Charles III didn’t wear a gown at his coronation, but his outfit did have a similar feel.

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The Coronation Outfit In 2023

While King Charles III didn’t wear a gown similar to his late mother, he did wear a train that was very similar! It wasn’t the same train, but it was still a large, velvet, impression train that required several people to carry it. The four Pages of Honor, including Charles’ grandson, George, and Camilla’s three grandsons, carried the train down the aisle during the ceremony. It was a historic moment that aptly showed the tight bond of the royal family.

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The Royal Portraits In 1953 And 2023

The royal portrait is an important moment during the coronation ceremony. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, had their portrait shot from a distance. The pair wear serious, stoic expressions typical of such formal occasions. However, the portrait taken in 2023 is very different. For this portrait, King Charles III and Queen Camilla enjoyed a closer shot. They’re also both smiling in the photo, appearing far more relaxed and casual than the previous portrait.

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Extended Family Portrait In 1953

It’s tradition to take a photo with the extended members of the royal family and other important figures after the coronation ceremony. After her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II had this portrait taken with members of the immediate and extended Royal Family. Many foreign dignitaries were included in this picture, as well as other notable people like Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Margret Rose, and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

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Extended Family Portrait In 2023

King Charles III took a more relaxed approach to his extended portrait in 2023. You can see the group photographed with him is significantly smaller. Following from left to right, alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla, are members of the working royal family. They are Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Time Laurence, Anne, Princess Royal, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, The Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, and Prince Edward.

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The Imperial State Crown

Seventy years may have passed since Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, but the Imperial State Crown appears amazingly untouched. These side-by-side photos show Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III wearing the Imperial State Crown during their coronations, and it’s stunning to see how well they both wear it! There have been many versions of this crown throughout history, but the current version was created in 1937. There were rumors that Queen Elizabeth II was nervous about wearing the crown during her ceremony, so she practiced while walking around and drinking her morning tea beforehand. Perhaps King Charles III did the same? Either way, they both look impressive and regal in their photos!

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The Congregation In Westminster Abbey

We already discussed the massive difference in attendance at Queen Elizabeth II’s and King Charles III’s coronations, but when you view these photos side-by-side, you can’t even really tell! These photos show the congregation in Westminster Abbey during the coronations in 1953 and 2023. During Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, more seating was built into the Abbey to accommodate her vast guest list. No extra seating was required for King Charles III’s coronation!

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A Formal Affair In 1953

When you compare this photo with the next, you’ll easily be able to see what we’ve been saying, which is that the coronation in 1953 was a much more formal affair compared to the one in 2023. In this photo, you can see the royals standing on the balcony, waving to the crowd. But their body language is a bit stiff, and their expressions solemn. They’re taking the formalities of the event very seriously, and almost appear unapproachable, as royals typically have throughout history.

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A More Relaxed Affair

Look at the difference in this photo! King Charles III and Queen Camilla are smiling, staring adoringly into each other’s eyes, and holding hands. Not only do they look far more approachable than the Royal couple in the previous picture, but they also appear far more relaxed. Perhaps this is a cultural difference that’s emerged over the past seventy years, but it’s a startling contrast from the way it was during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

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The Queen’s Gown In 1953 And 2023

The gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Camilla are startlingly similar. Of course, it’s tradition for a Queen to wear a regal white gown during a coronation ceremony, but the similarities between these two gowns go beyond their color scheme. The embroidery on each dress looks pretty similar, and we have to wonder if this was an intentional nod to Queen Elizabeth II by Queen Camilla. Both women look stunning in their gowns!

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The Wave Of Pride

After receiving the crown jewels and the Imperial Crown, it’s tradition for the new reigning monarch to turn and wave to the crowd. You can easily see the looks of pride and joy on Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III’s faces in these photographs. It’s interesting to think about the fact that King Charles III may have been waving to the descendants of those who attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ceremony. The circle of life and coronation ceremonies continues!

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The Traditional Flypast

After the coronation ceremony, it’s tradition to do a flypast. These side-by-side photos showing the flypast during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 and King Charles III’s coronation in 2023 are fascinating! The flying pattern appears to be slightly different, and it’s hard to say whether they left behind a colorful array during Queen Elizabeth’s coronation like they did during King Charles III’s. Either way, it’s a significant moment at the end of the ceremony that onlookers and royals enjoy watching.

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Young Royals Enjoying The Flypast

If there’s one thing that doesn’t change over the span of seven decades, it’s young children being enamored with aircraft! You can’t help but smile looking at these side-by-side pictures of young royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III’s coronations. In each picture, there is a young royal pointing up at the sky in wonderment. It’s nice to see the next generation enjoying the traditions of their family and country!

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The Coronation Site

Can you believe these photos show the exact same building set seventy years apart? These photos show Westminster Abbey, the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s and King Charles III’s coronations. Actually, Westminster Abbey has been the site of nearly every British monarch’s coronation since 1066. It’s pretty unbelievable to think about the massive historical significance this single building holds. We wonder how many more Kings and Queens will be coronated in this impressive building.

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Leaving The Abbey

After the coronation ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II was photographed leaving the Abbey. Her six Maids of Honor followed her, carrying her train, and the moment captured is strikingly similar to the photo on the right. As King Charles III left the Abbey, he was also followed by those carrying his train. Instead of Maids of Honor, he had Pages of Honor, but the moment still feels very similar.

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The Admiralty Arch

After their respective coronations, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III both took a procession back to the Palace. Queen Elizabeth II’s procession followed a much longer route than King Charles III’s, but they both passed under the Admiralty Arch. These photos show a fun glimpse into the differences from 1953 to 2023. Namely, the arch has undergone some serious updating and construction! But it’s still an important moment in the procession that onlookers were able to experience.

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Behind The Scenes Of Each Coronation

The coronation of a new monarch is an extensive event that requires a significant amount of preparation. After all, it’s important to have every inch of Westminster Abbey and the Palace picture-perfect for the occasion. These rare photos show the staff working to get everything in tip-top shape for the historical events. While the tools used to clean up have changed over the past seven decades, the dedication of the staff to give their monarchs a perfectly clean environment.

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