A year and four months after ascending the throne, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey in London, England, amid mourning and the complexity of the arrangements. For the first time, people were able to follow a coronation on television with an estimated 27 million viewers in the United Kingdom. About 11 million listeners on radio stations across the country.
The day before the coronation, the Queen announced in a radio broadcast that she would spend her whole life and wholeheartedly trying to be worthy of the people’s trust.
On the day of the ceremony, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh left Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey in a gilded wooden carriage drawn by eight horses. It was so cold that we had to tie a hot water bottle to the seat.
In total, there were almost three hours of ritualistic rituals. More than two thousand journalists and 500 photographers from 92 countries were involved in covering the historic moment. Among the members of the press was Jacqueline Bouvier, the first lady of the United States known as Jackie Kennedy.
More than 8,000 guests attended the ceremony at the Abbey. At the event, Prince Charles, 4, became the first son to accompany the sovereign to his mother’s coronation. Princess Anne was two years old at the time, but was too young to attend the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the monarch swore to “maintain and defend inviolably the establishment of the Church of England, and its doctrine, discipline, and government, according to the established law of England.”
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Today is history
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Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.