The Queen has shared personal memories of her 1953 coronation in a new BBC documentary marking the 65th anniversary of the ceremony. The hour-long film, titled 'The Coronation', explores the history and symbolism of the Crown Jewels, which form part of the Royal Collection.
In the programme, the Queen recalls the weight of St Edward's Crown and the hopes of a nation recovering from war. She says: "I've seen one Coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable." The film features high-resolution footage of the Crown Jewels, including St Edward's Crown, which was destroyed after the English Civil War and remade for Charles II in 1661.
The documentary also includes eyewitness accounts from participants, such as a maid of honour who nearly fainted and a 12-year-old choirboy who sang solo when his colleagues lost their voices. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, one of the coldest June days of the century, after 16 months of planning.
Additionally, a four-part series for BBC Four, presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon, explores the wider Royal Collection, which contains over a million works spanning 500 years. Episode four features an interview with the Prince of Wales about his role as Chairman of the Royal Collection Trust.
