Current:Home > MyKing Charles III has a rainy coronation day – just like his mother's. Here are other similarities and differences between the ceremonies. -MarketEdge
King Charles III has a rainy coronation day – just like his mother's. Here are other similarities and differences between the ceremonies.
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:06:48
Some people say rain on a wedding day is good luck – but what about a coronation day? Well, it rained for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and it is raining during the coronation for her son, King Charles III.
According to weather records for June 2, 1953, the morning began with clouds and "spot or two of rain" which became heavier. The cloudy weather continued throughout the day and it was cold for June, according the U.K.'s Met Office.
As journalist Ellen Castelow wrote for Historic U.K.: "The only problem on the actual day was the typical British weather…it poured with rain!"
During King Charles III coronation on May 6, a tent was propped up at the entrance of Westminster Abbey to shield guests from the rain. The weather was 57 degrees Fahrenheit and rainy, which was expected to persist until the afternoon.
There are some other similarities between the two coronations. Both monarchs assumed the role after their parent died, but their coronations were held months later. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation was not held for more than a year after her father, King George VI died in 1952. King Charles III is being coronated about eight months after his mother died.
At 74 years old, King Charles III is the oldest person to be crowned a British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II was not the youngest, but she was just 25 years old when she became the monarch. She was also Britain's longest-reigning monarch — and one of the longest-serving monarchs in the world — serving for more than 70 years until her death last year at 96.
Both were coronated at Westminster Abbey, as is customary, but there were some differences. Charles' wife, Camilla, will be crowned alongside him. She was initially given the title of queen consort, but coronation invitations referred to her as queen. Charles' father, Prince Phillip, was not crowned in 1953 with Queen Elizabeth. But he was by his wife's side for most of the momentous day.
Charles' ceremony is smaller than his mother's – with around 2,000 guests, compared to her 8,000. The regalia they wear will be different, as will the oath Charles recites and the procession route they take back to Buckingham Palace.
But once back at the palace, senior members of the royal family will gather on the balcony for their signature photo op, just as Queen Elizabeth II did on her coronation day.
- In:
- King Charles III
- British Royal Family
- Queen Elizabeth II
Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift.
veryGood! (75)
Related
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- McDonald's space spinoff CosMc's to launch new Texas location during solar eclipse
- Do you know these famous Taurus signs? 30 celebrities with birthdays under the Zodiac sign
- Ye, formerly Kanye West, accused of 'spreading antisemitism' at Donda Academy in new lawsuit
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Elon Musk’s X has a new safety leader, nine months after predecessor left the social media platform
- A strong earthquake shakes Taiwan, damaging buildings and causing a small tsunami
- Travis Kelce announces lineup for Kelce Jam music festival. Will Taylor Swift attend?
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Yes, we’re divided. But new AP-NORC poll shows Americans still agree on most core American values
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Artemis astronauts will need a lunar terrain vehicle on the moon. NASA is set to reveal the designer
- From closures to unique learning, see how schools are handling the total solar eclipse
- Cyprus president asks EU Commission chief to get Lebanon to stop migrants from leaving its shores
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- As Legal Challenges Against the Fossil Fuel Industry Notch Some Successes, Are Livestock Companies the Next Target?
- Workers had little warning as Maryland bridge collapsed, raising concerns over safety, communication
- Abortions are legal in much of Africa. But few women may be aware, and providers don’t advertise it
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Arizona congressman Raúl Grijalva says he has cancer, but plans to work while undergoing treatment
Hunter Schafer Confirms Past Relationship With Rosalía
YMCOIN Trade Volume and Market Listings
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Long-shot Democrat ends campaign for North Dakota governor
Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Thanks Fans for Outpouring of Support After Ex Konstantin Koltsov's Death
From Krispy Kreme to SunChips, more and more companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions