Camila’s coronation as queen consort
Unless otherwise decided, and if the new sovereign is a man, his wife is proclaimed queen consort and crowned, following a similar but simplified ceremony.
She will become queen dowager (or queen mother if the previous queen dowager is still alive) on the death of the king, who will be succeeded by her first son, regardless of sex.
In the event that a queen accedes to the throne, her husband does not become king and does not receive the holy anointing.
In one of her last decisive acts for the succession, Queen Elizabeth II gave her blessing to Camila becoming “queen consort”, resolving a long-standing question about the treatment of Charles’s wife.
the crown jewels
The United Kingdom is the only monarchy in Europe that still uses costumes and decorations, such as scepters and swords, in coronation ceremonies.
The St. Edward’s Crown, made in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II, is traditionally used during the ceremony.
Made of gold, silver, rubies and sapphires, it weighs more than two kilos and is placed on the head of the monarch at the time of the coronation.
When leaving the abbey a lighter crown is worn. Composed of 2,868 diamonds, it was made in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI and is also worn by the sovereign at the annual State Opening of Parliament.