10 Historical Facts About Queen Elizabeth's Coronation
1. Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth was the sixth queen to have been crowned in Westminster Abbey. The first was Queen Mary I, whose coronation was in 1553.
2. Meteorologist Doesn't Know Best!
Elizabeth's coronation date, June 2, 1953, was chosen on the advice of meteorologists because, according to statistical records, it was most likely to have good weather, but it rained.
3. The First Televised Coronation
Though Winston Churchill and other politicians were against it, Elizabeth insisted that the ceremony be broadcast live on TV.
It was a historic first for the nation, and many of the 27 million people in the U.K. who watched the ceremony (out of a total population of 36 million) bought their first TV set for the momentous occasion.
4. Horse and Carriage
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were driven from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach — pulled by eight gray horses: Cunningham, Tovey, Noah, Tedder, Eisenhower, Snow White, Tipperary and McCreery.
5. Hush Hush
The Queen's coronation dress, created by the British fashion designer Norman Hartnell, was embellished with the state flowers of the Commonwealth.
The gown was so top-secret that it was kept in a guarded room while it was being sewn.
6. Dress Rehearsals
Elizabeth held "dress rehearsals" at Buckingham Palace with her six maids of honor using sheets tied together to represent her coronation robes.
7. A Crown Fit for The Queen
The St. Edward's Crown, made in 1661 and placed on the queen's head during the service, weighs a hefty four pounds, 12 ounces and was made of solid gold.
Elizabeth herself chose the coronet, which was the same one used in her father George VI's coronation 16 years earlier.
8. Is That King Charles or Prince Louis?
A then 4-year-old King Charles was the first royal heir in history to attend his mother's coronation.
Princess Anne, 3, was considered too young and had to watch the procession at Buckingham Palace. She later said that she felt frustrated at being left out.
9. Prince Philip Remains Prince Consort
Prince Philip was not crowned alongside his bride as wives of kings traditionally are, but he was the first person to pay homage to the queen after the Archbishop of Canterbury, who performed the service.
10. A Small Mistake
Elizabeth made just one mistake during the three-hour ceremony — she forgot to curtsy to her coronation maids at the northern pillar of Westminster Abbey.
Only the Archbishop of Canterbury caught the faux pas.