Skip to main contentSkip to footer
How King Charles made history at his mother's coronation, plus photos from Queen Elizabeth's 1953 coronation© Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

How King Charles made history at his mother’s coronation

Take a look back at Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 coronation


MAY 6, 2023 3:34 AM EDT

Nearly 70 years after his mother’s coronation,  King Charles III  will be crowned at Westminster Abbey. The monarch was just four years old when his mom  Queen Elizabeth  was crowned in 1953. According to the royal family’s website, Charles “was the first child to witness his mother’s coronation as Sovereign.”

Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service, in 2022. Charles acceded to the throne following the death of his mother in September of 2022.

A little over a month after Queen Elizabeth’s passing, it was announced that the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla  had been set for May 6, 2023. As the King Charles’ coronation begins we take a look back at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation...

King Charles is said to have been the first child to witness his mother's coronation as Sovereign.© Getty Images

King Charles is said to have been the first child to witness his mother’s coronation as Sovereign.

Princess Anne, who appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on her mother's coronation day, was "considered too young" to attend the ceremony.© Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Princess Anne, who appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on her mother’s coronation day, was “considered too young” to attend the ceremony.

The Gold State Coach was used to take Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.© Getty Images

The Gold State Coach was used to take Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

The Queen's coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953 was held at Westminster Abbey. Per the palace, the Abbey has "been the setting for every Coronation since 1066."© Mirrorpix/Getty Images

The Queen’s coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953 was held at Westminster Abbey. Per the palace, the Abbey has “been the setting for every Coronation since 1066.”

The St. Edward's Crown was placed on Her Majesty's head during the service.© Keystone/Getty Images

The St. Edward’s Crown was placed on Her Majesty’s head during the service.

Her Majesty was crowned in St Edward's Chair.© INTERCONTINENTALE/AFP via Getty Images

Her Majesty was crowned in St Edward’s Chair.

Over 8,000 guests attended the ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.© Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Over 8,000 guests attended the ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Charles, seen between Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, was four years old when his mother was crowned at Westminster Abbey. The King will be 74 when he is crowned nearly 70 years later on May 6, 2023.© Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Charles, seen between Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, was four years old when his mother was crowned at Westminster Abbey. The King will be 74 when he is crowned nearly 70 years later on May 6, 2023.

Next, everything to know about King Charles’ coronation.