At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family takes a photo at Westminster Abbey in London on June 2, 1953.
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At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family takes a photo at Westminster Abbey in London on June 2, 1953.
Universal History Archive/Getty Images
As the Brits prepare for the coronation of King Charles III, we take a look back at the UK’s latest coronation – that of Queen Elizabeth II.
That was 70 years ago, and Charles is making some changes for the sake of his event.
The parade route will be shorter than that of his mother. The ceremony will include a nod to other religions besides Christianity. And the whole of the United Kingdom, not just the aristocrats, will be required to take an oath of allegiance to King Charles.
Elizabeth’s coronation took place on June 2, 1953, when the country was still standing some signs from World War II. The start of the 25-year-old’s reign was widely seen as the dawn of a new era. And many citizens got to watch the coronation for the first time on an emerging medium: television.
See the pictures we found from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation procession approaches the Marble Arch.
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Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation procession approaches the Marble Arch.
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Queen Elizabeth II walks down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, on the day of her coronation.
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Queen Elizabeth II poses with the Lady of the Robes and her six maids of honor after her coronation.
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Queen Elizabeth II poses with the Lady of the Robes and her six maids of honor after her coronation.
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Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace before her coronation ceremony.
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Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace before her coronation ceremony.
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Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in June 1953.
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A bus in Newcastle decorated with the insignia of Queen Elizabeth to celebrate her coronation.
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A bus in Newcastle decorated with the insignia of Queen Elizabeth to celebrate her coronation.
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Queen Elizabeth II inspects batches of new stamps issued to commemorate her coronation in 1953.
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Queen Elizabeth II inspects batches of new stamps issued to commemorate her coronation in 1953.
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Kids enjoy bike racing at the Northeast Street Party for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Lily Lee, weaver at Warner & Sons, Braintree, Essex, hand-weaves the velvet that will make Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation robe, November 18, 1952.
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Crowds in central London celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
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The Coronation Cup is engraved by WJ Wilson, Principal and Chief Designer at Whitefriars Glassworks.
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