The beginning of two very different eras
Photographs from King Charles III’s accession and that of his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s have highlighted the difference between the two ceremonies.
The pictures, from this weekend and 70 years ago in 1952, both show the crowds and spectacle outside the Royal Exchange in London, where proclamations following the ascension of the new royal are traditionally read out after the official ceremony at St James’ Palace.
Noticeably, the crowd for the Queen’s accession was far greater than that for Charles III’s on Sunday.
Charles probably shouldn’t take it too personally though, with the crowd size unlikely to be a reflection on his popularity.
The crowds gathered outside the Royal Exchange in February 1952 to hear the the proclamation being read out, when most people didn’t have televisions.
On Sunday though, the proclamation was read out on the news on TV, so there was much less reason for people to make their way to the Royal Exchange.
But many were still keen to witness history in person and gathered on the roads to watch.
The succession of the monarch happens immediately after the death of the predecessor, but there are still a number of procedures that take place in the days after.
The proclamation declaring the new king or queen takes place in the days following the monarch’s passing, along with the swearing of an oath to the Church of Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth II was actually in Kenya at the time of her father’s death, so the Privy Council met and performed the first part of the proclamation without her.
She then arrived back in Britain later that month for the second step in the process.
On Monday, the late monarch left Balmoral for the final time as her coffin began its journey to Edinburgh.
Here, it will rest for 24 hours before being flown to London, where it will be taken to Buckingham Palace, before being relocated to Westminster Hall.
At Westminster Hall, Her Majesty will lie-in-state for a four-day period, allowing the public to pay their respects. Her funeral will take place on September 19, starting at 11am.
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