After months of anticipation, King Charles’ coronation has finally arrived.
And there’s one particularly sweet detail in today’s ceremony to keep your eyes peeled – the incredible tributes on the trail of Queen Camilla’s coronation robes.
After the coronation and anointing, Camilla and the king will emerge in their spectacular robes of state.
Showing off hand embroidery in gold thread, Camilla’s cloak depicts meaningful symbols of nature, particularly specific inserts and flowers that hold special significance to the couple and the wider royal family as a whole.
Among the flowers embroidered on the garment are lily of the valley – Queen Elizabeth’s favorite flower, lady’s mantle, myrtle, maidenhair fern, cornflowers, delphiniums and national emblems – the rose, thistle and clover.
A member of the Royal School of Needlework hand-embroiders the purple robe of state that Camilla will don after she is anointed, enthroned and enthroned at today’s coronation
Queen Elizabeth wearing the Imperial State Crown and Estate’s 21ft Ermine Trimmed Velvet Purple Mantle at her coronation in 1953
Camilla’s new robe, expertly decorated by the Royal School of Needlework (of which Camilla is a patron), is also decorated with bees and beetles to reflect the royal couple’s affection for the natural world.
Appropriately, an earlier insight into Charles’s vision of his coronation – the invitation to the event – also contained similar imagery, depicting flowers and insects.
This natural theme nods to his love of nature, sustainability and climate conservation, like a monarch who has always held environmental conservation close to his heart.
A champion of sustainable fashion, Charles will today don the same robes of state that his grandfather, King George VI, wore for his coronation in 1937, with a 15-foot train.
And his wife will also recycle an old piece of clothing, donning a robe first made for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and adapted for the ceremony.
The velvet on both robes has been restored by the Royal School of Needlework and the lining and gold lace by Ede & Ravenscroft.
Here are the touching details you need to know…
1. Lily of the valley
Lily of the valley – Queen Elizabeth’s favorite flower – is featured on Camilla’s robe
In a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth, Lily of the Valley – her favorite flower – is featured on Camilla’s robe (and is also on the invitation to the event).
The flower, which regularly appears at royal events, was also part of the Queen’s bridal bouquet when she and Charles tied the knot in Windsor in 2005.
And dating back to 1953, the flower was also featured in Queen Elizabeth’s coronation bouquet when she was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
During the Queen’s reign, the flower was often seen in displays around Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.
And the flower holds special meaning for other members of the royal family too, with Kate, the Princess of Wales wearing it in her bridal bouquet when she married Prince William in 2011.
2. Lady’s Mantle
The new queen has already described the lady’s mantle as her favorite flower. It is speculated that she may carry a bouquet of the flower for today’s coronation
Camilla previously described the lady’s mantle, which symbolizes love and comfort, as her favorite flower.
Discussing the plant in 2020, the then Duchess said, “This acid green fuzzy-flowered plant is one of the best foliage plants ever for the garden and the vase.”
Thanks to how easy the plant is to care for, she added, “(It’s a) must for any gardener.”
It has been speculated that the Queen may wear a bouquet of small white and yellow flowers for today’s coronation.
3. Thistle (and roses and a cloverleaf)
The thistle is one of the national emblems embroidered in gold thread on Camilla’s purple mantle of estate
In addition to flowers and plants that hold deep personal meaning for the couple, the mantle also features national emblems.
Adopted in the fifteenth as a symbol of England and becoming a symbol of the Tudor monarchy formed at that time, the rose is one of the flowers on Camilla’s robe.
In addition, the rose carries another symbolism, expressing promise, hope and new beginnings.
The thistle has now been a recognizable symbol of Scotland for more than 500 years and is also appearing.
And Ireland is represented on the lavish purple garment through its national plant – the shamrock.
4. Myrtle
Myrtle was another flower that found its way into Queen Elizabeth’s bridal bouquet when she tied the knot with Prince Philip in 1947.
In fact, a royal bride’s bouquet always includes a sprig of myrtle, in a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria’s time when the monarch’s daughter, Princess Victoria, wore it among her wedding flowers in 1858.
Myrtle also features on the robe – and has some connections to royalty
The Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen, Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla all had myrtle in their wedding bouquets.
Myrtle, a glossy evergreen shrub, representing hope, is said to bring good luck and fidelity.
5. Maidenhair fern
Symbolizing purity, the maidenhair fern may have been chosen by the king, who is believed to be a fern enthusiast.
Symbolizing purity, the maidenhair fern may have been chosen by the king, who is believed to be a fern enthusiast
Other floral images on the fabric also have special personal significance, with delphiniums representing King Charles’ favorite flowers.
According to the palace, the robe also contains cornflowers, which were also depicted on the specially designed coronation invitation.
6. Bees (and a beetle)
When it comes to the embroidery of the robe, it is not the flowers and plants that represent the natural world that the king loves so much.
There are also some insects on display (which, appropriately enough, are particularly attracted to some of the specific flowers sewn into the fabric).
The robe Camilla will wear after the May 6 ceremony (pictured) marks the first time a coronation robe will be embroidered with bees and a beetle
Speaking of the garment, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “For the first time, insects, including bees and a beetle, feature on the coronation robe.”
The bumblebee is known as a symbol of communication, abundance and fertility, which could also be a nod to the values King Charles held dear during his reign.
The spokesperson continued, explaining that the presence of the creatures “draws from the themes of nature and the environment and reflects Their Majesties’ affection for the natural world.”
Queen Camilla’s code
The Queen’s robes are also embroidered with her cipher, with the intertwined letters C and R below a crown
Also featured on the lavish robe is the Queen’s official code, also expertly embroidered in gold thread.
The symbol features a swirling ‘CR’ monogram below a crown, with the letters standing for Camilla Regina (Latin for queen).
Camilla’s figure is based on the Tudor crown, just like her husband’s, but hers is more elaborate and stylized.
The symbol, selected by Her Majesty from a range of designs, is also used by her on personal stationery, cards and gifts.
It was designed by Professor Ewan Clayton, a calligrapher on the faculty and academic council of The Royal Drawing School, in collaboration with Timothy Noad, Herald Painter and Scrivener of The College of Arms.
