What will King Charles III wear on Coronation?

As King Charles III prepares to ascend to the throne on May 6, 2023, details of the regal garments he will wear have been revealed. The robes, steeped in history and tradition, are part of the coronation regalia and are usually kept in the Tower of London. King Charles will wear the Supertunica, a shimmering gold-sleeved coat worn by previous monarchs, and the Imperial Mantle, a floor-length cloak inspired by ancient coronation ensembles, which weights about 3-4 kgs. The latter symbolizes the divine nature of kingship and is adorned with motifs including fleur-de-lis, imperial eagles, and national floral emblems.

In addition to the weight of the ceremonial robes, King Charles will wear the crown weighing nearly five pounds. As part of his commitment to sustainability, he has decided to reuse the sword belt and glove worn by his grandfather George VI, the last male monarch. The Coronation Girdle, made of embroidered cloth of gold, has a gold buckle stamped with national emblems, while the Coronation Gauntlet is made of white leather with a large embroidered cuff in the form of national emblems.

The King will arrive at Westminster Abbey in George VI's crimson red Robe of State, remove it for his anointing, and then put on a sleeveless white garment called the Colobium Sindonis for the investiture. He will also wear a long, narrow embroidered band of gold silk around the shoulders known as the Coronation Stole. Finally, at the end of the service, King Charles will change into George VI's purple Robe of Estate to leave the Abbey.


Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art at the Royal Collection Trust, said that the robes are not only significant for their historic value but also for their sacred use during the coronation ceremony. As King Charles prepares to become the next monarch, the symbolic garments serves as a reminder of the rich history and tradition of the British monarchy.

FAQs

Q1:Where is the King Charles Coronation taking place?
Westminster Abbey, London

Q2:When did King Charles III succeed to throne?
September 8, 2022 upon passing of mother Queen.