queen elizabeth
Looking back at her coronation in Scotland
© United Archives International / imago images
In 1953, Queen Elizabeth revived a dormant tradition by holding a Scottish coronation for the first time since 1822.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the coronation celebrations for King Charles, 74, will take place in Scotland. Charles will be awarded the Scottish crown jewels – the “Honours of Scotland” – during a festive ceremony at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh in the afternoon. At the coronation of his mother Queen Elizabeth, † 96, in 1953, after the glamorous start in London, there was a second coronation ceremony in Scotland – with the same ritual and a noteworthy feature.
Queen Elizabeth had two coronations within a few weeks
Seventy years ago, the newly crowned British Regent’s trip to Scotland came just weeks after her official coronation ceremony, held on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey. On June 23, 1953, Elizabeth embarked on the first official visit of her reign with her husband Prince Philip, †99, traveling to Scotland for seven days for Holyrood Week.
1,700 people attended the ceremony
Already the day after arrival, on June 24, 1953, the great national thanksgiving and consecration service took place in the cathedral in Edinburgh, at which the crown jewels of the country were presented as the highlight of the ceremony. The “Honours of Scotland” denote a trio of royal regalia: the crown of Scotland, the sword of state and a sceptre. It is the oldest insignia in Great Britain. According to media reports, around 1,700 people witnessed the handing over of the insignia, while many other spectators watched the royal event on television.
© imago/United Archives International
With the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the long-dormant tradition of Scottish coronation celebrations was resumed. This began in the 17th century and was intended to symbolize the bond between the royal family and the Scottish people. When King Charles I was crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1625, the Scottish Parliament also required a ceremony in the north. In 1633 this demand was fulfilled with his coronation in Edinburgh. From 1822 the tradition finally rested until it was resumed in 1953.
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Her wardrobe caused critical voices at the time
Since there were no current role models for the coronation celebrations in Scotland in 1953, the young regent decided on a down-to-earth outfit: instead of a ceremonial robe, she wore a suit, hat, pumps and handbag in the cathedral – and thus caused offended voices from the Scottish rows. The Scottish newspaper “The Herald” suspected that their advisors, who apparently misjudged the mood of the Scottish population, made a mistake.
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Despite the somewhat difficult start in Scotland, Holyrood Week became an integral part of Queen Elizabeth’s life: During her reign as Queen, she spent a week in Scotland every summer from the end of June to the beginning of July. Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire was one of the Queen’s favorite residences. Her traditional garden party at Holyroodhouse was now also hosted by King Charles in memory of his late mother on his first Holyrood Week.
Source used: heraldscotland.com