Coronation of Elizabeth II — initiation rite performed to crown Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1953
The 1953 coronation of Elizabeth II was the first British coronation broadcast in full on television, bringing the ceremony to millions of viewers worldwide.
Key Facts
- Date
- 2 June 1953
- Venue
- Westminster Abbey, London
- Age at accession
- 25 years
- Estimated cost
- £1.57 million (approx. £53.6 million in 2023)
- Position in 20th-century coronations
- Fourth and final British coronation of the 20th century
- Realms crowned over
- UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Ceylon
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Elizabeth II acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI. In keeping with tradition, the coronation was delayed over a year to allow a proper mourning period and to give planning committees sufficient time to organize the elaborate ceremony.
On 2 June 1953, Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London. During the service she swore an oath, was anointed with holy oil, invested with robes and regalia, and crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. The ceremony was the first British coronation to be fully televised.
Celebrations were held across the Commonwealth realms and a commemorative medal was issued. The decision to televise the coronation brought the event to a mass audience and marked a turning point in the relationship between the British monarchy and broadcast media, significantly boosting television set ownership across the United Kingdom.