King Charles III has shared a heartwarming and unusual memory from his childhood, revealing how Queen Elizabeth II would don the monarch’s crown while giving him and his sister baths.
The anecdote offers a glimpse into the unique upbringing of a royal heir and the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into a coronation. These reflections, coupled with stories of his own coronation, provide a fascinating narrative of royal life and traditions.
Memories of Bath Time and the Crown
During a recent interaction, King Charles recounted how his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, used to practice wearing the crown during their evening bath time. Charles, just four years old at the time of her coronation in 1953, vividly remembers his mother’s dedication to acclimating herself to the weight and feel of the crown.
“My mama used to come up at bath time wearing the crown to practise,” he said, explaining that the unique ritual was part of her preparation for the monumental event. “You have to get used to how heavy [the crown] is,” he added.
The crown in question was the St Edward’s Crown, a 17th-century masterpiece made of solid gold and weighing five pounds. Its immense weight made it a challenge to wear, requiring practice to ensure the wearer could carry it with poise during the elaborate coronation ceremony.
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This endearing memory also serves as a testament to the late Queen’s determination to master every aspect of her royal duties. Charles remarked that her efforts made an indelible impression on him, stating, “I can still remember it vividly.”
Parallels Between Two Coronations
Reflecting on his own coronation, King Charles compared his experience to his mother’s. He admitted feeling “slightly anxious” about wearing the St Edward’s Crown, particularly worried that it might wobble during the ceremony.
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For Charles, as for his mother, wearing the crown was a momentous responsibility steeped in history and tradition. The St Edward’s Crown, used only during the act of coronation, is replaced afterward by the lighter and more practical Imperial State Crown. This switch, Charles shared, alleviated some of the physical challenges of wearing such a heavy and symbolic piece of regalia.
He also humorously recalled a mishap involving a haircut he received in preparation for his mother’s coronation. While the details of the story remain undisclosed, the memory brought laughter and added a personal touch to his reflections on this historic event.
Coronation Girls: Revisiting the Past
King Charles shared these cherished memories while meeting a group of 50 Canadian women who had attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation as 17-year-olds. These women, now in their 80s, had been part of a once-in-a-lifetime journey to witness the historic event in 1953.
The women recently returned to London to relive their experiences and had the opportunity to meet King Charles for a tea party at Buckingham Palace. This gathering is chronicled in a documentary titled Coronation Girls, which tells the story of their epic journey and the enduring friendships they forged.
The documentary highlights how these women’s lives unfolded after the coronation. Many went on to lead remarkable lives, becoming professors, climate activists, and even a nun. Despite their diverse paths, they maintained their bond and came together to celebrate the memory of the Queen’s coronation.
King Charles’s recollection of his mother’s coronation preparations offers a rare and intimate glimpse into royal life. From the humorous image of Queen Elizabeth wearing the crown during bath time to the weighty symbolism of the St Edward’s Crown, these stories humanize the monarchy and bridge the gap between tradition and personal experience.
The journey of the Coronation Girls further enriches this narrative, illustrating how one historic event can leave a lasting impact on individual lives and collective memory.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏