Card of the Day: The Coronation Annexe at Westminster Abbey

In the fifteenth card in the 1935 Silver Jubilee series by Churchman’s Cigarette Company, we see the seat of the British Coronation services—Westminster Abbey. As part of the coronation, from at least the thirteenth century, the monarch made a formal progress from the Tower of London to the Palace of Westminster on the eve of the coronation itself.

The following day, the ceremonies would begin at Westminster Hall as a grand procession made its way to the Abbey. Then, another progress would conclude the event--returning to the Hall afterwards for a lavish banquet.

As I’ve already pointed out, these ceremonies no longer take place, ,and historically, each monarch changed the coronation ceremony to suit his or her own tastes. For example, James II declined the procession from the City. And, as I stated a few days ago, for financial reasons, the preliminary ceremonies and banquet in Westminster Hall were abandoned by William IV in 1831. For the coronation of William IV, a temporary building was erected at the west end of the Abbey. This annexe (annex) provided space for the remaining processions to form. An annexe of this kind has been constructed at every subsequent coronation.

The card pictured here depicts the annexe which was constructed for the coronation of King George V and Mary of Teck, his consort.