Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was 70 years ago (Picture: Getty Images)
The Coronation of King Charles III was a huge celebration for the UK in May 2023.
His Majesty was crowned as monarch using St Edward’s Crown, alongside his consort Queen Camilla.
Following the Westminster Abbey ceremony was a balcony appearance from the Royal Family, then community lunch parties, a concert at Windsor Castle, and a day of volunteering called the Big Help Out.
Overall, it was certainly a historic occasion, particularly as it was the first coronation the UK had seen for 70 years, since the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II.
But when was the late Queen’s coronation – and how far back in history was the first coronation?
Here’s all you need to know.
When was Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation?
Queen Elizabeth was the 39th monarch to be coronated and the sixth Queen to receive the honour (Picture: Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation took place on Tuesday, June 2 1953.
The ceremony began at 11.15am, and lasted for almost three hours, according to the Royal Family website.
Queen Elizabeth II was 27 years old at the time of her coronation.
However, she had to wait a bit longer than King Charles to be crowned, as she officially became monarch on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father King George VI.
She was 25 when she became Queen, a year and four months before she was coronated.
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The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, where coronations have taken place for over 950 years.
Her Majesty was the 39th monarch to be crowned at the Abbey.
When was the first coronation in British history?
The first documented coronation at Westminster Abbey was that of William The Conqueror in 1066.
Some accounts have suggested that Harold II, who reigned before William I before his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, was crowned in the Abbey when he took the throne in January of that year.
However, there is no surviving contemporary evidence to confirm this.
William The Conqueror was the first monarch known to have been crowned in Westminster Abbey (Picture: Getty Images)
It’s also likely that other monarchs who reigned before William I would have had coronations. Still, again these have not been documented in history, and would almost certainly have taken place elsewhere.
The Westminster Abbey website states that the coronation service was drawn up by St Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, for the coronation of Edgar, First King Of All England.
This took place in 973AD at Bath Abbey.
Since William I, only two monarchs have not had coronations.
The first was Edward V, who was made king of England in 1483 at the age of 12, only to be murdered in mysterious circumstances just two months later before he could be crowned.
Edward VIII – the Duke of Windsor – was the second king not to have a coronation, due to his abdication (Picture: Bettmann via Getty Images)
The second was Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne 11 months after being made king in 1936, in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson – a decision that was condemned by the Church and the government.
In a radio address delivered on December 11, Edward stated: ‘I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of king, as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.’
His relationship with Ms Simpson had previously been kept out of British newspapers, but when it became clear that they were intent on marrying, the Church of England and the government were quick to disapprove.
The couple then became known as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
His coronation had been due to take place on May 12, 1937.
MORE : Where is Queen Elizabeth II’s final resting place and can you visit?
MORE : Who was on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the King’s coronation?
MORE : FBI files reveal threat to kill the Queen during her US visit in 1983
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The tradition dates back centuries.