In Pictures: 1953 Coronation artefacts to be displayed
- Published
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For the journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, the Queen wore the Diamond Diadem, which was made by royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell in 1820 for George IV’s coronation. The Queen is shown wearing the Diadem on postage stamps and some banknotes.
Cecil Beaton's official portrait photograph captured the Queen in her coronation dress and robe, wearing the Imperial State Crown and holding the Sovereign’s Orb and Sceptre. He spent the day before the coronation preparing the setting with a special background and lights.
The Queen signed the Oath using a pen made of ivory and gold offered by the Worshipful Company of Scriveners. The design represents the Sword of State, adorned with cherubs which represented the Duke of Cornwall and Princess Anne. It features the Scriveners' motto: Litera Scripta Manet - the written word remains.
The Gold State Coach was commissioned in 1760 and was first used in 1762 when George III travelled to Westminster to open Parliament. The coach has been used at every coronation since that of George IV. It was last used during the Golden Jubilee of 2002.
Prince Charles, who was four, and Princess Anne, who was two, wore clothes by Miss Hodgson of 33 Sloane Street, London, a regular supplier to the Royal Family. The prince, who was known as The Duke of Cornwall in 1953, also wore his Coronation Medal. Princess Anne was considered too young to attend the ceremony.
One of 25 Bibles commissioned for the ceremony, of which two were hand-bound in red levant goatskin with gilt edges. They were designed by Lynton Lamb - a graphic designer with Oxford University Press - and printed on 428 pages of Oxford India paper.
Illustrator Joan Hassall OBE won the competition to design the official invitations to the coronation, including this one for Prince Charles which measures 13in (33cm) by 15in (38cm). The invitation is decorated with gold paint and incorporates the Royal Arms and National Emblems.
Princess Anne's relatively informal outfit was in marked contrast to the robes worn by the Queen for the coronation of her father, King George VI, at his coronation in 1937. The dress, along with all the artefacts in this gallery, will be on display at Buckingham Palace from 27 July.
- Published31 May 2013