A Royal Progress!

 

Queen Elizabeth II’s death and impending coronation of King Charles III has brought our royal heritage to the fore. The coronation of King Charles III in 2023 will bring fresh scrutiny and international interest in the British monarchy and the Crown.
 

This talk goes behind the scenes at Westminster Abbey rolling back the centuries of tradition and heritage integral to our Kings and Queens. Westminster Abbey is the historic site of a thousand years of coronations. From William the Conqueror on Christmas Day 1066 when there was rioting outside, to the pomp and splendour of the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

 

Discover fascinating stories behind the dazzling crown jewels - lost, stolen and restored! They include a sapphire from Edward the Confessor's ring to a ruby that graced the battlefield at Agincourt in 1415. These gems have survived being washed into the sea, being melted down in 1640s and an attempted theft in the 1670s! Contentious, stunning diamonds such as the Koh-i-Noor continue to spark debate and anger. What a tale!

 

Peek into sumptuous royal homes - palaces which have symbolised Royal power and tradition, through the ages. These include Westminster, the "mother of all parliaments" which was once home to Medieval Kings, the lost palace of Whitehall, now the heart of the British government and of course Buckingham Palace which was home to Queen Victoria and has continued to be the focus of the British Monarchy and ceremony with balcony appearances viewed by audiences the world over.

 

These magnificent architectural masterpieces and jewels hide tales of overspending, royal spats and excess as well as a unique perspective on the events that have shaped modern Britain.

 

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