King Charles won’t sit on the late Queen Elizabeth’s throne during his reign, here’s why
King Charles’ coronation is taking place on May 6, 2023, however, he won’t be sitting on his late mother’s throne due to an old tradition.
There are numerous traditions when it comes to ceremonies for the Royal Family. The tradition of King Charles not sitting on his late mother’s throne is both true and not true. Let us explain.
Discover our latest podcast
An ancient traditional throne
The part where King Charles will sit on his late mother’s throne is true since he will use the traditional coronation throne, which was also used by Queen Elizabeth during her coronation in 1953.
More under this adMore under this adIn fact, this throne has been used for centuries for coronation ceremonies. The throne was built for King Edward in 1296. The throne is known as the Coronation Chair, St Edward’s Chair or King Edward’s Chair.
Commissioned in 1296 this is the wooden #Coronation Chair or St Edward's Chair. On this chair #British monarchs r invested with regalia & crowned at coronations.
— Paul 🏳️🌈🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@Grumbrela) February 3, 2023
📍St George’s Chapel, @wabbey , #London#royal#church#tradition#ceremony#history#crown#KingCharlesIII#photopic.twitter.com/UC8OCUDy7D
It is made of oak and used to contain the coronation stone, which is also called the Stone of Destiny or the Stone of Scone. The stone was given back to Scotland in 1996 and is kept in Edinburgh Castle along with the Scottish Crown Jewels. There is speculation that Scotland will lend the stone for King Charles’ coronation and then give it back to the Scottish until the next coronation.
Got to see the Honours of Scotland today (Scottish crown jewels) and Stone of Scone at Edinburgh Castle. Honours are c.100 years older than the English CJs, which had to be remade for Charles II after Cromwell melted originals down (sceptre dates to 1490s tho) pic.twitter.com/lvD3ccEimK
— Victoria Howard 🇪🇺🌹 (@TheRoyalExpert) January 4, 2018
A new throne for King Charles
However, King Charles won’t use his late mother’s other throne, as he will have a brand new one made for him. It is tradition for every new British monarch to have their own throne, which is also used during the coronation ceremony.
This throne is unique to each monarch as it has their own royal cypher on it. King Charles revealed his royal cypher a few months back, and it is very different from the one his mother used.
More under this adMore under this adBuckingham Palace.
— Royal Collection Trust (@RCT) October 25, 2022
Central to the room is the pair of throne chairs used for the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. There are also chairs made for the coronation of King George VI, and a single throne chair made for Queen Victoria in 1837. pic.twitter.com/aVLb2fACbW
This throne is used for the enthronement part of the coronation and is placed on the dais in Westminster Abbey.
Read more:
⋙ King Charles' royal cypher revealed, but the Queen's won't fully disappear
⋙ Buckingham Palace could make big change for Queen Camilla before King Charles’ coronation
⋙ King Charles' coronation could be in danger as speculation mounts he will be the last monarch
Sources used:
Woman and Home: ‘Why King Charles won't sit on the Queen's throne at his coronation’