The platinum jubilee of 2022 is being celebrated Queen Elizabeth II70 years on the throne, with the monarch who first took the royal title back in 1952. However, Elizabeth was crowned only the following year at a detailed coronation ceremony. Here’s everything you need to know about a historical event.
Related: Queen Elizabeth’s sister, the late Princess Margaret - all your questions answered!
When was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth?
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London, England. She was 26 at the time.
How long after the death of King George was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth?
After Elizabeth’s father, King George VIdied February 6, 1952, Elizabeth ascended the throne of England on the same day, but was crowned only about 16 months later.
Queen Elizabeth II after the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London. (Photo by Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
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Why did Winston Churchill postpone the coronation of Queen Elizabeth?
In Netflick’s biographical drama Crownone point of action at the beginning of the show shows Sir Winston Churchilla game John Lithgovpushing Elizabeth (Claire Foi) to postpone its coronation for political reasons.
Although the coronation seems to have been postponed, this is not entirely true. Elizabeth was officially crowned only 16 months after the death of her father due to the tradition when celebrations should be held after the death of the monarch.
According to Royal Central16 months enabled the throne to plan the ceremony, while he also waited for the appropriate amount of time to pay homage to the late King George VI.
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What did Queen Elizabeth wear at the coronation?
Elizabeth wore a special dress made by the royal couturier Norman Hartnell for the event. According to the National Gallery of Australia, the dress was ordered in October 1952, and Hartnell offered the Queen eight designs until they finally worked together on the ninth and final design.
The dress featured many of the emblems representing the United Kingdom at the time, including “Tudor Rose of England, Scottish Burdock, Welsh Leek and Child of Ireland, complemented by Australian Plait, Canadian Maple Leaf, New Zealand Fern, South African Protea, Pearl Lotus Flower , another opalescent lotus flower for Ceylon and Pakistani wheat, cotton and jute.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of their coronation, Buckingham Palace, 1953 (Black and white color print). Artist Unknovn. (Photo by The Print Collector / Getty Images)
Print Collector / Getty Images
Elizabeth’s crown dress was white, short-sleeved and satin, while the cloak she wore during the ceremony was made of silk and velvet in purple, the historical color of the royal family. At a length of more than 6.5 meters (about 21 feet), the cloak was embroidered with gold thread with olive twigs and ears of wheat, according to Harper’s Bazaar. The whole ensemble will be exhibited in Windsor Castle at the platinum jubilee celebration.
What was unique about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth?
One of the main characteristics of Elizabeth’s coronation that made it so revolutionary was the fact that it was the first coronation to be broadcast on television. According to Good Housekeeping, over 27 million people followed the event. Churchill was one of the people who opposed that, with BBC reporting that he was particularly appalled by the idea that the cameras were located in the historic and religious site of Westminster Abbey.
Related: When Queen Elizabeth Met Jackie Kennedy - The Story of Two Icons and Their Complicated Relationship
Did the late Prince Philip really plan the coronation of Queen Elizabeth?
Until that can be said Prince Philip planned Elizabeth’s entire coronation ceremony, he was involved in the event. According to Good HousekeepingElizabeth appointed Philip as the president of her coronation committee, and he was the first to propose that the event be broadcast on television.
Did Prince Philip kiss Queen Elizabeth at her coronation?
Yes, Prince Philip kissed Queen Elizabeth at her coronation during the ceremony. The Daily Mail shared a video of the meeting from a television event, while Philip approaches the decorated Elizabeth on her throne to swear allegiance to her, before giving her a brief kiss. According to to expressthis was definitely not according to the script, and Philip defied tradition with this action.
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