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Reuterphoto
02of 20Historic England/Heritage Images via Getty Images (2)Regal décor rose over The Mall from Buckingham Palace, designating the path the Queen would take. Four arches stretched over the streets with a suspended metal crown dangling from each, topped with heraldic beasts. In a sly design, the arches would light up later that night.
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Historic England/Heritage Images via Getty Images (2)
Regal décor rose over The Mall from Buckingham Palace, designating the path the Queen would take. Four arches stretched over the streets with a suspended metal crown dangling from each, topped with heraldic beasts. In a sly design, the arches would light up later that night.
03of 20Norman Potter/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThere she is!Queen Elizabeth, who had just turned 27, traveled from Buckingham Palace to the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in theGold State Coachwith her husband,Prince Philip.
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Norman Potter/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
There she is!Queen Elizabeth, who had just turned 27, traveled from Buckingham Palace to the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in theGold State Coachwith her husband,Prince Philip.
04of 20Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty ImagesThen-Prime Minister Winston Churchill was among the over 8,000 guests in attendance. It was the third coronation he would see in his lifetime, having been present for the crowning ceremonies ofQueen Elizabeth’s grandfather King George V in 1911 and fatherKing George VIin 1937.
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Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
Then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill was among the over 8,000 guests in attendance. It was the third coronation he would see in his lifetime, having been present for the crowning ceremonies ofQueen Elizabeth’s grandfather King George V in 1911 and fatherKing George VIin 1937.
05of 20Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesQueen Elizabethprocessed into the abbey with a little help from hersix maids of honor.“She was very, very calm,” maid of honor Lady Anne Glenconner tells PEOPLE of her mood that morning, adding that the Queen “didn’t say anything to us” as they stepped into action.“We had the dress train rippling over our hands. And then she just turned around and she said, ‘Ready, girls,’ and off we went,” Glenconner says.
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Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Queen Elizabethprocessed into the abbey with a little help from hersix maids of honor.
“She was very, very calm,” maid of honor Lady Anne Glenconner tells PEOPLE of her mood that morning, adding that the Queen “didn’t say anything to us” as they stepped into action.
“We had the dress train rippling over our hands. And then she just turned around and she said, ‘Ready, girls,’ and off we went,” Glenconner says.
06of 20The Queen Mother, Prince Charles and Princess Margaret.Topical Press Agency/Getty ImagesThe youngest guest in attendance was the Queen’s 4-year-old son, the futureKing Charles. The little prince sat betweenQueen Elizabeth, the Queen MotherandPrincess Margaret, at one point lookedadorably boredduring the serious ceremony.“He was just above me — he was brought in for the crowning,” says Lady Anne, author of the new memoirWhatever Next?Lessons from an Unexpected Life. “We were standing below him, and he was up there with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. I could hear him talking, asking her what was what.”
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The Queen Mother, Prince Charles and Princess Margaret.Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
The youngest guest in attendance was the Queen’s 4-year-old son, the futureKing Charles. The little prince sat betweenQueen Elizabeth, the Queen MotherandPrincess Margaret, at one point lookedadorably boredduring the serious ceremony.
“He was just above me — he was brought in for the crowning,” says Lady Anne, author of the new memoirWhatever Next?Lessons from an Unexpected Life. “We were standing below him, and he was up there with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. I could hear him talking, asking her what was what.”
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INTERCONTINENTALE/AFP via Getty Images
08of 20INTERCONTINENTALE/AFP via Getty ImagesQueen Elizabethlayered priest-like vestments over her coronation gown before starting the sequence of accepting the crown jewels. Here, the Archbishop of Canterbury hands her the bejeweledSword of State, a symbol of royal authority.He then presented her with the armills bracelets, stole and cloth of the Robe Royal, orb, coronation ring, glove and scepter, theRoyal Familysaid.
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Queen Elizabethlayered priest-like vestments over her coronation gown before starting the sequence of accepting the crown jewels. Here, the Archbishop of Canterbury hands her the bejeweledSword of State, a symbol of royal authority.
He then presented her with the armills bracelets, stole and cloth of the Robe Royal, orb, coronation ring, glove and scepter, theRoyal Familysaid.
09of 20PA Images via Getty ImagesThe climax of the coronation was when the Archbishop of Canterbury placed theSt. Edward CrownonQueen Elizabeth’s head.
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PA Images via Getty Images
The climax of the coronation was when the Archbishop of Canterbury placed theSt. Edward CrownonQueen Elizabeth’s head.
10of 20Reg Speller/Hulton Archive/GettyThe solid gold, nearly 5-lb. crown is considered the most sacred in the royal collection and is only used for the actual crowning, perHistoric Royal Palaces. The Queen later changed into the lighterImperial State Crownfor the remainder of the celebrations.
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Reg Speller/Hulton Archive/Getty
The solid gold, nearly 5-lb. crown is considered the most sacred in the royal collection and is only used for the actual crowning, perHistoric Royal Palaces. The Queen later changed into the lighterImperial State Crownfor the remainder of the celebrations.
11of 20Topical Press Agency/Getty ImagesThe newly ennobledQueen Elizabethleft Westminster Abbey as the congregation sang the British national anthem “God Save the Queen.” Spot the smiles fromPrince Philipand a footman!
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Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
The newly ennobledQueen Elizabethleft Westminster Abbey as the congregation sang the British national anthem “God Save the Queen.” Spot the smiles fromPrince Philipand a footman!
12of 20Historic England/Heritage Images via Getty ImagesAn estimated three million people lined the streets of London for a glimpse at the Queen riding back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach. She took a winding 4.5 mile-route in order to see as many people as possible, and the ceremonial carriage ridetook two hoursto complete.
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Historic England/Heritage Images via Getty Images
An estimated three million people lined the streets of London for a glimpse at the Queen riding back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach. She took a winding 4.5 mile-route in order to see as many people as possible, and the ceremonial carriage ridetook two hoursto complete.
13of 20Daily Herald Archive/National Science & Media Museum/SSPL via Getty ImagesA little drizzle didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd that came out for a peek at the fairytale scene.In a historic first, those who couldn’t make it in person had the opportunity to catch the coronation on television. The BBC broadcast of the 1953 crowning ceremony was the first of its kind, drawing 27 million viewers in the U.K. and 11 million radio listeners.
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Daily Herald Archive/National Science & Media Museum/SSPL via Getty Images
A little drizzle didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd that came out for a peek at the fairytale scene.
In a historic first, those who couldn’t make it in person had the opportunity to catch the coronation on television. The BBC broadcast of the 1953 crowning ceremony was the first of its kind, drawing 27 million viewers in the U.K. and 11 million radio listeners.
14of 20Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesWhen the palace gates closed safely behind the Gold State Coach, the throng rushed for a closer look at what was expected next — a balcony appearance from the royal family.
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When the palace gates closed safely behind the Gold State Coach, the throng rushed for a closer look at what was expected next — a balcony appearance from the royal family.
15of 20Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Philip.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via GettySurprise!Prince Charles, 4, andPrincess Anne, 2, joined their parents and other members of the royal family outside on the balcony for the history-making moment, which capped with a ceremonial military flypast.
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Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Philip.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
Surprise!Prince Charles, 4, andPrincess Anne, 2, joined their parents and other members of the royal family outside on the balcony for the history-making moment, which capped with a ceremonial military flypast.
16of 20Historia/ShutterstockSmile! The Queen posed with the extended royal family in official photos taken that day.
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Historia/Shutterstock
Smile! The Queen posed with the extended royal family in official photos taken that day.
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Alamy Stock Photo
18of 20Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesA cold platter spread served after the big event included lox and cucumber sandwiches, fresh fruit, cookies, champagne and punch.
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Hulton Archive/Getty Images
A cold platter spread served after the big event included lox and cucumber sandwiches, fresh fruit, cookies, champagne and punch.
19of 20PA ImagesHours after appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the royal family on the banner day,Queen ElizabethandPrince Philipreturned after nightfall to greeting the cheering crowds. Around 9:45 p.m., the Queen flicked on the “lights of London,” illuminating the Mall and Admiralty Arch.The fountains of Trafalgar Square turned “liquid silver” and floodlights from the National Gallery to the Tower of London burned bright.
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PA Images
Hours after appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the royal family on the banner day,Queen ElizabethandPrince Philipreturned after nightfall to greeting the cheering crowds. Around 9:45 p.m., the Queen flicked on the “lights of London,” illuminating the Mall and Admiralty Arch.
The fountains of Trafalgar Square turned “liquid silver” and floodlights from the National Gallery to the Tower of London burned bright.
20of 20PA Images via Getty ImagesFireworks ignited the sky over the River Thames as parties continued late into the night.Queen Elizabethwould go on to reign for a record-breaking 70 years, the longest in British history, until her death in September atage 96.
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Fireworks ignited the sky over the River Thames as parties continued late into the night.
Queen Elizabethwould go on to reign for a record-breaking 70 years, the longest in British history, until her death in September atage 96.
source: people.com
