On June 2, 1953, at just 27 years old, Queen Elizabeth II was formally crowned at Westminster Abbey. Though she had officially become monarch more than a year earlier upon the sudden death of her father, King George VI.
In the early 1950s, Britain was still recovering from World War II. Food rationing was still in place, and bomb sites were still visible around London. The coronation offered a wave of optimism. Despite the cold, rainy weather, three million people lined the streets of London. Some even camped out overnight just to catch a glimpse of the young Queen as she rode past in the magnificent Gold State Coach, pulled by eight grey horses.
What truly set the 1953 coronation apart from all previous ones was the decision to broadcast it on television. Against the initial advice of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and traditionalists, the Queen insisted that the cameras be allowed inside Westminster Abbey.
In the UK alone, 27 million people watched the event live on the BBC. Many bought or rented their very first television sets just for this day. Across the Atlantic, the Royal Air Force flew recordings across the ocean so millions in North America could watch on the same day. It was the world’s first truly global television event.
Inside the Abbey, 8,251 guests witnessed the nearly three-hour ceremony. The Queen wore a white satin gown embroidered with the floral emblems of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. After the Archbishop of Canterbury placed the St. Edward’s Crown on her head, the celebrations moved to the streets.
Streets were filled with celebrations, music, decorations, and food. Chefs even created a new recipe of cold chicken in a curry cream sauce. Known today as “Coronation Chicken,” it remains a British classic.
Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Her eldest son Charles ascended to the throne and was crowned as King on May 6, 2023.
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