The Longest Reigning Monarch, Crowns, Jewels, & Royal Coronations
Who was the longest reigning monarch? When was the date of the Queen's coronation? Is the coronation a bank holiday?
1. How many crowns, jewels and tiaras did the late Queen have?
There are seven sovereign crowns, but some have fallen out of use, or are kept for display purposes only. For example, the Prince of Wales Coronet is a crown that is intended for the Prince of Wales - now Prince William's title. It is largely reported that Queen Elizabeth II wore four crowns regularly throughout her reign.
2. Who was the longest reigning monarch?
The longest reigning Monarch in the world was King Louis XIV, who reigned for 26,407 days, compared to the Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 25,782 days. However, King Louis started his reign at the age of 4. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest reigning monarch ever, whose date is verifiable.
3. What was the date of the Queen's Coronation?
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 2 June 1953. It is strange to think that the date of the Queen's coronation was over 70 years ago. It makes her the longest reigning monarch in Britain. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was unlike any in history, for the simple reason that it was the first to be fully televised. For a lot of people, it was the very first time that they had watched an event on TV. It aired on the BBC, and it is estimated that around 27 million people in the UK alone watched the ceremony on TV, while 11 million listened to it on the radio.
4. Is it true there is a Bank holiday for the Coronation of King Charles iii?
Yes. An additional bank holiday on Monday, 8 May 2023 has been approved at a meeting of the Council's Corporate Resources Committee. The additional bank holiday is in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May. In line with the bank holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953, this will be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate.
5. The date of the Coronation - When does it take place?
The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, 2023. The Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
6. What is the Music for the Coronation?
7. Will Harry attend the Coronation?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still yet to decide whether they will attend King Charles' Coronation - but plans are reportedly "being finalised". Despite the Coronation being exactly one month away today, we are no closer to finding out if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be part of the congregation at Westminster Abbey.
8. What is the Coronation Route?
The procession is due to start at Buckingham Palace and will head down The Mall before turning right around the corner of St James's Park, through the Horse Guards Parade, down Parliament Street before ending at Westminster Abbey. The return route will pass up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and along to Pall Mall, Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Oxford Circus before heading back down the Mall to end at Buckingham Palace, as per the Queen's Coronation route.
Her Majesty the Queen with archive footage Photographer Julian Calder © Royal Collection Trust/ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018
9. Have Royal coronations always taken place at Westminster Abbey?
Since 1066, Westminster Abbey has been the setting for every Coronation. Prior to this and the Abbey being built, Coronations took place wherever it was most convenient at the time. This means that previous Coronations took place in Oxford, Bath and Canterbury.
10. What crown will Prince Charles wear?
As per tradition, King Charles III will wear the St Edward's Crown when he is officially declared as the King during his Coronation. This will be the first and only time that Charles will wear this particular crown.
11. Who designed Queen Elizabeth's coronation dress?
For those who watched it on television, it was a chance for people to properly admire the young Elizabeth looking resplendent in a gown that had taken eight months to create. Her Coronation dress was designed by British Fashion designer Norman Hartnell. Made of white satin, it was embroidered in gold and silver thread with the emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.