Ahead of the much-awaited Coronation of Their Majesties on the 6th of May, new details have been revealed regarding the Coronation Robes that will be worn by The King and The Queen Consort.
As tradition dictates, Their Majesties will don two distinct sets of robes during the Coronation Service, namely, the Robes of State and the Robes of Estate. The Robes of State are worn on arrival at Westminster Abbey, while the Robes of Estate are traditionally more personalised in design and are worn on departure, following the Coronation Service.
Images have been released of The King’s Robe of State and The Queen Consort’s Robe of Estate, which have been conserved by the Royal School of Needlework, of which The Queen Consort has been a patron since 2017. Let’s take a closer look at the different robes that Their Majesties will wear during the Coronation.
His Majesty’s Robe of State
The King’s Robe of State is made of crimson velvet and was originally worn by King George VI at the Coronation in 1937. The velvet has been conserved by the Royal School of Needlework, while the lining and gold lace have been preserved by Ede and Ravenscroft in preparation for the Coronation Service.
Her Majesty’s Robe of State
The Queen Consort’s Robe of State was first made for Queen Elizabeth II during her Coronation in 1953. The crimson velvet robe has been conserved and adjusted by robemakers at Ede and Ravenscroft for the upcoming Coronation.
His Majesty’s Robe of Estate
The King’s Robe of Estate is made of purple silk velvet and embroidered with gold. King George VI wore this robe during his Coronation in 1937. In preparation for the Coronation, the robe has been conserved and prepared by robemakers at Ede and Ravenscroft.
Her Majesty’s Robe of Estate
The Queen Consort’s new Robe of Estate has been designed and hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, while the robe itself was made by Ede and Ravenscroft.
The train of the robe features national emblems of the United Kingdom and is inspired by nature and the environment. Insects such as bees and a beetle, which reflect Their Majesties’ love for the natural world, have been included on the robe for the first time.
The design of the robe also incorporates Her Majesty’s cypher and features plants that hold personal associations for Their Majesties. These plants include Lily of the Valley, Myrtle, and Delphinium, which represent hope, purity, love and tenderness respectively.
The Cornflower, another flower featured on the robe, represents love and tenderness while also helping to attract and encourage wildlife such as bees and butterflies.
Conclusion
As we eagerly await the Coronation of Their Majesties, the details released on the Coronation Robes provide a glimpse into the tradition and craftsmanship that goes into making the day special.
The Robes of State and the Robes of Estate will undoubtedly add to the regal and timeless splendour of the Coronation Service.
Images: Buckingham Palace