Current:Home > reviewsKing Charles III has a rainy coronation day – just like his mother's. Here are other similarities and differences between the ceremonies. -WealthMindset
King Charles III has a rainy coronation day – just like his mother's. Here are other similarities and differences between the ceremonies.
View
Date:2025-04-19 03:00:28
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! (41716)
Related
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- On Long Island, Republicans defend an unlikely stronghold as races could tip control of Congress
- Amid intense debate, NY county passes mask ban to address antisemitic attacks
- Hampton Morris wins historic Olympic weightlifting medal for USA: 'I'm just in disbelief'
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- 51-year-old Andy Macdonald puts on Tony Hawk-approved Olympic skateboard showing
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- The Walz record: Abortion rights, free lunches for schoolkids, and disputes over a riot response
- Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Colin Farrell tears up discussing his son's Angelman syndrome: 'He's extraordinary'
- Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
- Snooty waiters. Gripes about the language. Has Olympics made Paris more tourist-friendly?
Recommendation
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
USA's Jade Carey will return to Oregon State for 2025 gymnastics season
Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
Minnesota Supreme Court upholds law restoring right to vote to people with felony convictions
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
Breaking at 2024 Paris Olympics: No, it's not called breakdancing. Here's how it works
NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
US Olympic figure skating team finally gets its golden moment in shadow of Eiffel Tower