Obscure Book of the Day: The Historic Story of the Coronation Ceremony and Ritual

We begin this new feature with a look at one of many little books that I’ve collected about the history of the British Royal Family. This short volume was printed in 1953 as a guide to the Coronation Ceremony as Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in the place of her father, King George VI.

Queen Victoria's Coronation is depicted on the back cover.

Since this was meant to guide the public through the coronation, it depicts many images which were meant to explain the significance of the Regalia and the various parts of the ceremony itself. Most of the examples are illustrated with scenes from the coronation of King George VI, and, in part, King George V, though there are sections which use paintings and drawings to show other historic coronations.

A short biography of Queen Elizabeth II describes the monarch and her family and states the intended date of her coronation. Furthermore, brief biographies of each participant in the ceremony explain each individual’s role in the sacred event.

One of the more interesting portions of the book includes extracts from Queen Victoria’s private journal which chronicle her own coronation in 1838. The text is written by Lawrence E. Tanner, The Keeper of Muniments for Westminster Abbey with an introduction by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Alan C. Don. It was printed by Pitkins who uses the inside of the back cover to advertise other books which they feel would make for smashing coronation gifts.

Let’s take a look inside:

An image from the Coronation of King George VI showing the future Queen as a princess.

About to introduce a new Elizabethan Age.

Queen Mary broke tradition by attending the coronation of her son, King George VI.  After the whole abdication kerfuffle with her eldest, The Duke of Windsor, she wanted to make sure that her second son was crowned without a hitch.  However, it was not customary until this point for the Dowager Queen to attend the coronation of her child since she was, in fact, in mourning for her husband--the late Sovereign. 

A view from the clerestory of the Abbey during King George VI's coronation.  Also pictured, the Sovereign's Sceptre with the Cullinan Diamond. 

The Investing of the Royal Robe and Orb with an introduction to the ceremony's officials.