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School and family resources

From worksheets to online interactives, our resources are all full of historical facts, insights and fun learning opportunities

School Resources for the Coronation 2023

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. 

The ceremony will see His Majesty The King crowned alongside Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

The coronation of the new Sovereign is an occasion for pageantry and celebration, but it is also a solemn religious ceremony that has remained essentially the same over a thousand years. For the last 900 years, the English coronation ceremony has usually taken place at Westminster Abbey in London. The service is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, as it has almost always been since the Norman Conquest in 1066.

More details about the ceremony are available on the royal.uk website.

Part of the ceremony will focus on St Edward's Crown, the crown historically used at the moment of coronation and last worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her Coronation in 1953. It was made for Charles II in 1661, as a replacement for the medieval crown which had been melted down in 1649. The original was thought to date back to the 11th-century royal saint, Edward the Confessor – the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

To help your school celebrate this important moment in history, a number of linked resources and activities have been created for you.

Please read the downloadable teacher notes that outline how these resources can be used and explore our themed sections below.
 

Additional resources and useful links:

  • Discover more resources created in partnership with the London Grid for Learning, including exclusive film footage inside St James' Palace and Westminster Abbey and information on how to enter the national art competition.
  • Explore the Historic England "Story Map" to find key locations on the 1953 procession route for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.
Teacher notes - how to use these resources

Downloadable PDF teacher notes - How to use these resources

What is a Coronation?

A coronation is the formal investiture of a monarch of their regal powers. It is a grand, celebratory event in which the monarch is presented with royal ceremonial objects, such as the Crown Jewels, and it is where the crown is physically placed on the monarch’s head, in front of many thousands of very important guests.

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What is the role of our King?

The King has a very important part to play in the life of the nation, undertaking constitutional and representational duties. He carries out a busy programme of engagements, including hosting visiting Heads of State, and taking part in annual programmes of investitures, garden parties, receptions and other ceremonies.

Find out more

Be a part of history and celebrate!

How are you going to celebrate this historic ceremony? Discover ideas and activities to help you mark the 2023 Coronation in this section.

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A Focus on the life of Queen Elizabeth II

In 1936 Princess Elizabeth’s life changed dramatically when her father acceded to the throne as King George VI and she became first in line to the throne. In 1937 Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret attended their parents’ Coronation in Westminster Abbey. Find out more about Queen Elizabeth II’s life in this section.

Discover more about Queen Elizabeth II

The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.