3 min readNew DelhiMay 7, 2023 01:15 PM IST
First published on: May 7, 2023 at 01:15 PM IST
Queen Camilla was officially crowned alongside her husband King Charles III in a grand spectacle held in Westminster Abbey on Saturday. For the historic occasion, she opted for an ivory, silver, and gold embroidered coronation gown underneath a crimson velvet and ermine Robe of State, originally made for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.
The gown, which was created by British designer Bruce Oldfield, also paid tribute to Camilla’s two beloved rescued dogs, Bluebell and Beth, with two embroidered gold Jack Russell Terriers near the trim of her gown. The dogs were adopted by the King and the Queen from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2017.
The dress was made from Peau de Soie, a type of silk with a matte sheen, and it was tailored to fit. Stephen Walters, a fabric weaver based in Suffolk, England, was responsible for producing the fabric. “I am honoured to have been asked to design such a historic gown for Her Majesty. This really is the most important commission of my life. Very exciting and very special. An interesting element of the gown is that it reflects a more fluid and modern representation of the king and the queen consort’s affection for nature and the British countryside,” Oldfield told Women’s Wear Daily.
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While King Charles III has been in reign since his mother Queen Elizabeth II died in September, on Saturday, May 6, he was officially crowned monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and other Commonwealth realms in a historic ceremony. The 40th coronation took place at Westminster Abbey as per a tradition dating back to 1066. Take a look at how the Coronation Day was celebrated.
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Well-wishers line the route of the King's Procession, a 2-km stretch from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in London. (Sebastien Bozon/Pool Photo via AP)
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People gather at Hyde Park on the day of Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony, in London, Britain. (REUTERS/Emilie Madi)
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People gather to watch King Charles' procession to his coronation ceremony from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in London, Britain. (REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska)
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People wait to witness King Charles' procession to Westminster Abbey. (REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne)
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Grenadier Guards march the streets in front of Big Ben in Westminster ahead of the coronation ceremony. (REUTERS/Marko Djurica)
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A general view ahead of the coronation of King Charles III at London’s Westminster Abbey. (Gareth Cattermole/Pool Photo via AP)
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Britain's King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort travel from St James's Palace to Buckingham Palace in London ahead of the coronation ceremony. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
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King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, travel from St James's Palace to Buckingham Palace in London ahead of the ceremony. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
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Britain's Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, followed by Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, arrive for the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP)
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King Charles III kneels during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)
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Britain's King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, at the coronation ceremony. (Victoria Jones/Pool via AP)
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King Charles III was crowned at the two-hour long ceremony. (Victoria Jones/Pool via AP)
The dress was adorned with various decorations such as the dogs mentioned earlier, garlands of wildflowers, and chains made of daisies, celandine, and scarlet pimpernel to symbolise the King and Queen’s admiration for nature. The front hem featured a rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock, representing the four nations of the United Kingdom. Additionally, the names of Queen Camilla‘s children and grandchildren were embroidered onto the dress.
She accessorised her ensemble with a historic necklace, known as ‘the coronation necklace’, originally created for Queen Victoria in 1858. According to The Court Jeweller, it is made of a total of 26 diamonds, including a giant 22.48-carat pendant called the Lahore diamond. According to the Royal Collection, the stone was originally a part of the Lahore Treasure in the Punjab region, which is presently Pakistan. The area was taken over by British colonists in 1849, and subsequently, the stone was “presented to Queen Victoria” in 1851.
Queen Camilla receives a royal salute from members of the military in the gardens of Buckingham Place, London, after the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Andrew Milligan/Pool via AP)
The necklace was worn in a coronation ceremony for the first time by Queen Alexandra in 1902, and then by Queen Mary in 1911. The Queen Mother Elizabeth also donned the necklace in 1937. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth also wore this precious piece of jewel for her coronation.
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Queen Camilla wore an ivory and gold gown (Source: AP) 
Queen Camilla receives a royal salute from members of the military in the gardens of Buckingham Place, London, after the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Andrew Milligan/Pool via AP)
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