Buckingham Palace has released further details for the Coronation in May, including some all important details, and a new portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The photo was taken by long-standing royal photographer, Hugo Burnand, in the Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace last month.
A new portrait of The King and Queen. (Royal Family)
The King, in a navy pinstripe suit, stands with his arm around Camilla, who wears a cobalt blue dress.
Alongside the portrait, Buckingham Palace has shared the invitation design for the Coronation, with key themes of nature and the UK seen throughout. The invitation confirms that the word ‘Consort’ will be dropped from Her Majesty’s title, so she will be known as Queen Camilla.
The invitation was designed by Andrew Jamieson, a heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator, whose work is inspired by the themes of Arthurian legend, something which can be seen in the illustrations.
The invitation for the Coronation. (Royal Family)
A range of designs were submitted for consideration to be the invitation for the event of the year. The original artwork for the invitation was hand-painted in watercolour and gouache, and the design will be reproduced and printed on recycled card, with gold foil detailing.
The recycled element of the invitation would have appealed to Charles, who is passionate about conservation and the climate emergency.
At the bottom of the invitation is the motif of the Green Man, symbolic of spring and rebirth, signifying the new reign. The Man is surrounded by the flowers of the UK: the rose, thistle, shamrock and daffodil.
The border of the invitation features lily of the valley, cornflowers, wild strawberries, dog roses, bluebells, and a sprig of rosemary for remembrance. The lily of the valley was the late Queen’s favourite flower, so it is a fitting tribute to His Majesty’s mother, who died in September 2022. The flowers also appear in groups of three, which highlights The King becoming the third monarch of his name, Charles III.
The image of a lion, a unicorn and a boar, have been taken taken from the couple’s coats of arms, which sit in the top corners. These animals sit amongst the floral border.
Her Majesty’s arms are now enclosed by the Garter, following her installation as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter last summer.
Prince George standing alongside his family at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.
In the bottom right is the seal of The Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, whose responsibility it is to organise the solemn ceremony, as well as the State Opening of Parliament. The Dukes of Norfolk are the most senior aristocratic family in the UK, outside of the Royal Family, and this is a hereditary title and role passed down since 1672.
Invites are issued by the Earl Marshal on The King’s behalf.
It is also announced that eight Pages of Honour have been chosen to attend Their Majesties during the Coronation Service, who will form part of the procession through the Nave of Westminster Abbey.
The King’s Pages of Honour will be his eldest grandson, Prince George, alongside Lord Oliver Cholmondeley (son of Marquess of Cholmondeley, who was was recently appointed Lord-in-Waiting to The King), Nicholas Barclay and Ralph Tollemache (sons of two of Charles’ godchildren).
The Queen Consort’s Pages of Honour will be Her Majesty’s grandsons, Gus and Louis Lopes, and Freddy Parker Bowles, and Her Majesty’s great-nephew, Arthur Elliot.
1 comment
Felicitaciones a nuestro Querido Rey III y nuestra Reina Camilla ,por su hermosa y noble Coronacion.