The UK is just days away from celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.
While the entire royal family is rushing for the final preparations, Buckingham Palace has just given a preview of the outfits that the two sovereigns will wear during the ceremony, which will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey.
As usual, Charles and Camilla will be dressed in two separate outfits: a State dress, worn when they arrive at the monastery, and a ceremonial dress (also called an inheritance dress) which they will unveil when they leave. .
Read also“I, William, Prince of Wales”: Prince William’s loyalty oath for the coronation of Charles III revealed
The new monarch will wear a state robe made of crimson velvet and with a 3.5 meter long train, worn by her grandfather, King George VI, at his coronation in 1937. For Queen Camilla, it will also be a creation in crimson velvet, initially designed, this time, for Queen Elizabeth II, during her coronation in 1953.
Lily of the valley and blueberries
As for the ceremonial dress, Charles III will again pay homage to his predecessor by wearing the outfit of King George VI in 1937. Unlike Camilla who will have a new piece.
The creation was made by the prestigious London embroidery school Royal School of Needlework, of which the latter is the godmother.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the ceremonial dress will be enamelled with embroidery representing nature, as well as flowers with a particular resonance for the royal couple.
Among them, lily of the valley, which was the favorite flower of Queen Elizabeth II;
the myrtle, symbol of hope;
the Maidenhair Fern, for purity;
or the blueberry, for love and tenderness.
There will also be bees and beetles (a category of insects such as ladybirds, beetles).
In addition to nature, these represent a cause dear to the eyes of Charles III: the protection of the environment.
A minimalist coronation
As evidenced by the changes made by the latter on the day of his coronation.
Indeed, the king has drastically reduced the guest list at Westminster Abbey, down to just 2,000 people from 8,000 70 years ago.
Also, his wife Camilla will be crowned with a recycled crown, made for Queen Mary, Charles's great-grandmother, in 1911. She will be the first queen consort in three centuries to have an existing crown modified rather than to make a new one.
In video, Charles III and Camilla received in ball gowns at Bellevue Palace in Berlin