10 Fun Facts About Royal Coronations

Crowning Moments : The Lighter Side of British Royalty

Royal coronations have always been grand and regal ceremonies steeped in history, tradition, and ceremony. But did you know that they also have their fair share of lighter moments? From wardrobe malfunctions to anointing spoons, here are ten fun facts from coronations through the ages.

The Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower of London, which is guarded by a group of yeoman warders who are nicknamed "beefeaters." Contrary to popular belief, they don't eat beef all day!

The Sword

The coronation regalia includes a sword that represents the monarch's defence of the Church. The sword is so heavy that it's carried by a designated sword-bearer, who has to be careful not to trip and fall during the ceremony.

Coronation Chicken

At the coronation banquet, guests are served a dish called a "coronation chicken," which was created in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. It's a curry-flavoured chicken salad that was a hit with guests at the time and has remained a popular British dish ever since.

King George IV's Robes

During the coronation of King George IV in 1821, the king got so fat that he had trouble fitting into his coronation robes. He had to have the robes cut open in the back and held together with safety pins.

The Dropped Spoon

At the coronation of King James II in 1685, one of the archbishops accidentally dropped the ceremonial spoon used to anoint the king with holy oil. The spoon was quickly retrieved, but the incident became a source of amusement for the crowds watching the ceremony.

Stepping on the King's Foot

During the coronation of King Henry IV in 1399, one of the nobles accidentally stepped on the king's foot. The king was so angry that he drew his sword and threatened to kill the noble, but was eventually persuaded to calm down and finish the ceremony.

Bad Weather

The coronation of King Charles I in 1625 was delayed by bad weather, which prevented the king's barge from making it up the River Thames to Westminster Abbey. The king had to spend the night on the barge and was reportedly very seasick.

The Poking Incident

At the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838, the archbishop of Canterbury accidentally poked the queen in the eye with the coronation spoon. The Queen was not injured, but the incident became the subject of jokes and cartoons in the newspapers.

Wardrobe Malfunction

The coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 was delayed by a minor wardrobe malfunction - the king's breeches split as he was getting ready for the ceremony. Fortunately, the problem was quickly fixed, and the ceremony went ahead as planned.

The Burning Banner

At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, one of the bishops accidentally knocked over a candle and set fire to a nearby banner. The bishop quickly put out the fire with his hands but was left with burns on his fingers.

These moments may not be what we typically associate with such grand and regal ceremonies, but they remind us that even the most serious events can have their lighter moments. 

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