On the historic occasion of King Charles’ coronation, all eyes were on the royal family and their stunning outfits. From Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla to Princess Charlotte and Prince George, each member of the family had a unique look that held special significance. Let’s take a closer look at their ensembles and explore the hidden meanings behind them.
The symbolism and pageantry of a royal coronation are incredibly rich, and every element is carefully chosen and imbued with meaning. From the crown to the sceptre to the robes, each item represents a different aspect of the monarch’s power and authority.
And when it comes to the clothing of the ceremony’s stars and guests, there is definitely a lot of thought put into every detail. Whether it’s the color of a dress, the style of a hat, or the choice of jewelry, each element is chosen to convey a particular message or complement the overall theme of the event.
It was like a fashion Easter egg hunt, and we were all along for the ride!
1. King Charles
The Coronation Glove, also known as the gauntlet, is worn on the monarch’s right hand to hold the Sovereign’s Sceptre during the moment he is crowned. Like the Coronation Sword Belt, Charles chose to reuse the handpiece that his grandfather, George VI, wore during his own coronation in 1937, rather than have one made entirely new.
This piece is made up of white leather, and further features gilt metal thread embroidery depicting the national emblems of the Tudor Rose, thistle, shamrock, oak leaves, and acorns. On the back of the glove’s hand, there is an embroidered ducal coronet in red velvet above the coat of arms of the family of the Dukes of Newcastle.
2. Camilla
Queen Camilla wore a white silk coronation dress with gold embroidery while riding alongside her husband in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. The dress was designed by Bruce Oldfield. The Peau de Soie silk dress is embroidered with delicate garlands of wildflowers, including daisy chains, forget-me-nots, celandine, and scarlet pimpernel, symbolizing the affection of The King and The Queen Consort for nature and the British countryside.
The dress also features celebratory bunting in antique gold and silver thread intertwined with the wildflowers. The front hem area of the underskirt and the cuffs of each sleeve are embellished with the floral emblems of the four nations of the United Kingdom: a rose, a thistle, a daffodil, and a shamrock. The design is intended to showcase Her Majesty’s style and personality through sophisticated and modern details. The shoes worn by Queen Camilla were made by British designer Elliot Zed and were crafted using the same silk fabric as the dress.
3. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton arrived at the coronation of King Charles with her husband, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and their two children, Princess Charlotte and Princess Louis. The family was dressed in full royal regalia, with the Prince and Princess of Wales wearing formal robes and mantles at the request of the King. While it was the first time we saw Kate Middleton in traditional robes, she added a modern touch to her outfit with an Alexander McQueen ivory silk dress, matching heels, and a beautiful leaf-inspired headpiece also designed by McQueen in collaboration with milliner Jess Collett. Kate’s earrings were also symbolic, as they were diamond and pearl earrings that belonged to Princess Diana.
However, it is important to note that the family’s attire held symbolic significance beyond just their beautiful designs. The Princess of Wales’ coronation dress featured embroidered motifs of the rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock, representing the four nations of the United Kingdom, similar to her wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.
Additionally, Kate Middleton’s jewelry choice paid tribute to King Charles’s lifelong passion for nature, gardening, and the environment. The botanical motif of her headpiece and dress seemed to reference the Green Man, an ancient figure from British folklore that symbolizes spring and rebirth and is frequently associated with nature and the environment. (Vogue)
4. Prince George
Prince George, who is the firstborn child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, was bestowed the prestigious role of serving as one of the King’s Pages of Honor. The young prince, who is 9 years old, was seen carrying his grandfather’s robe and donning a red uniform during the coronation ceremony. It was an honorable and significant moment for the future king, who has already begun to carry out his royal duties at a young age.
4. Princess Anne
King Charles III’s sister, an experienced equestrian, made a grand entrance at Buckingham Palace on horseback as she assumed her new role as the Gold-Stick-in-Waiting, which is essentially the king’s personal bodyguard during the procession. She looked every inch the part with her green crushed velvet cape, feathered hat, white bows, and tassels.
5. Prince Harry
Prince Harry attended his father’s coronation ceremony without his wife Meghan Markle, who remained in California. The Duke of Sussex arrived alone and sat in the third row of the congregation, wearing a simple suit and his military medals. Due to the ongoing family tensions, he was not allowed to wear his full uniform for the occasion. However, he left immediately after the ceremony and returned home to his family.
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