#and I had to write the transcript of his speech (duh) because there apparently isn't one in existance

[bertievi]

80 years ago today:

The coronation of Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor. 

He officially became:

His Majesty, King George VI of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the seas, Defender of the Faith and Emperor of India

Wearing the Crimson Robes and adorned with the Imperial Mantle, he entered the Abbey and his coronation began. He was sat upon the Chair of Estate as the Archbishop administered the oath. Though the bishops who were supposed to hold out the words for the King could not find the correct page as the King knelt before the altar with his hand on the King James Bible, the Archbishop had offered out his own copy but later documents written by Albert reveal that the Archbishop had accidentally placed his thumbs over the words Albert was supposed to recite back to him, though luckily, he was familiar with them himself.

Once the oath was completed correctly, he was presented with the King James Bible from the Archbishop, which was decreed as him receiving ‘wisdom and royal law’. As the communion came to a purposefully interrupted end, the Crimson Robe was removed and he proceeded to the Coronation Chair as the anointing of the King began.

The ancient ritual placed the King in the centre of a covered medieval mosaic in Westminster Abbey which is adorned with precious stones and gems, marble and glass which were believed to give the monarch all the special powers the crown represented, though experts are still trying to work out the symbolism puzzles around it. At its centre sits a circular marble stone which holds similarity to the depictions of the ‘universe’ from so long ago as a representation that the monarch is crowned in the centre of the universe by the Grace of God. It serves as a reminder that their right to rule, duty and very life is to serve God. It is on this stone that Albert sat upon Edward I’s throne atop the Stone of Scone, as a sort of acceptance of such a call.

It is there that the anointing of the King took place. The Dean of the Abbey poured out the consecrated oil into the filligreed spoon. The Archbishop anointed him in the shape of a cross across his hands, head and heart. It symbolises being set apart for a purpose and equips the monarch with the grace to tackle the task and trials ahead.

Next was the investing, he was enrobed in the colobium sindonis, over which was placed the supertunica upon that ancient stage before the alter. The armills were placed upon his wrists representing England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales as were the gold bracelets of sincerity and wisdom. St George’s Spurs were brushed against his ankles by the Lord Great Chamberlain as the emblems chivalry, the Archbishop handed him the Sword of State, a recognition of his role as head of the armed forces. Though when the Lord Great Chamberlain attempted to attach it to his belt, he nearly smacked the hilt into the King’s chin. Albert himself corrected the blade and attached it properly. (I don’t know about you but given WWII that’s one hell of a thing to happen symbolically). Once it was recognised, the sword was removed as the ceremony continued.

He was adored with Robe Royal and Stole Royal, religious symbols of his devotion to God and symbols of his position as Head of the Church of England, before he was handed The Sovereign's Orb, his recognition of a Christian world. As fast as it was handed to him, it was taken away as the The Sovereign’s Ring was placed upon his finger, symbolising his marriage to the nation. Next he was handed The Rod of Equity, a sceptre with a dove on top which endowed him with peace in his left hand. Then The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross was put in his right hand, which brought him mercy.

While he was left still holding those sceptres, the Archbishop retrieved St Edward’s Crown and after a prayer, went with the Dean and other high ranking bishops back to the waiting King. There was a delay when the archbishop could not find the thread that marked the back of the crown, he turned and examined it but could see no thread, yet placed the crown upon Albert’s head regardless and said another prayer. George VI had been crowned King.

After the benediction, George VI stood to head towards his throne, unsure if his crown would remain on his head as he did so. To his discomfort, he felt a tug at his robes and noticed that one of the bishops was stood on it. The King did not hesitate to tell him to ‘get off’ which he said rather sharply. Though by that point, Albert apparently felt protected. He later told the Archbishop that he had something of a religious experience in that he felt ‘no fear as ‘Someone Else’ was with him throughout the proceedings.

Members of the peerage who were present paid homage to the King one by one, next was the clergy which did so together lead by the Archbishop. Then his mother, daughters, and siblings paid homage individually. He watched a much shorter ceremony for his wife Elizabeth whom was anointed, invested, crowned and enthroned as well.

Once his wife was recognised as Queen Consort, he proceeded into St Edward’s Chapel, followed by the bearers of the Sword of State previously mentioned, Sword of Spiritual Justice, Sword of Temporal Justice, and the Sword of Mercy (named: Curtana, and famously has a blunted tip). The swords represent the virtues of the King. He was able to take off St Edward’s Crown, the bracelets, the Robe Royal and Stole Royal, which were then replaced by the purple surcoat and the Imperial Robe of Purple velvet. On his head was placed the Imperial State Crown and in his hands he carried the Sovereign’s Orb and the Sovereign’s Sceptre before he headed back down the Abbey to return to Buckingham Palace in a Royal Procession.

Later he was to give an eight minute coronation speech, broadcast live to his people at home and abroad, it read as follows:

“It is with a very full heart I speak to you tonight. Never before has a newly crowned King been able to talk to all his peoples in their own homes on the day of his coronation. Never has the ceremony itself had so wider significance for the dominions are now free and equal partners with this ancient kingdom. And I felt this morning that the whole empire was in very truth, gathered within the walls of Westminster Abby. I rejoice that I can now speak to you all wherever you may be.

“As greeting old friends in distant lands and as I hope new friends in those parts where it has not yet been my good fortune to go, in this personal way, the Queen and I wish health and happiness to you all. And we do not forget at this time of celebration those who are living under the shadow of sickness or distress. Their example of courage and good citizenship is always before us and to them I would send a special message of sympathy and good cheer.

“I cannot find words with which to thank you for your love and loyalty to the Queen and myself. For your goodwill in the streets today and your countless messages from overseas and from every quarter of these islands have filled our hearts to overflowing. I will only say this; that if in the coming years I can show my gratitude in service to you, that is a way above all others that I should choose.

“To many millions the crown is a symbol of unity by the Grace of God and by the will of the free peoples of the British commonwealth I have assumed that crown. In me as your king invested for a time of a duty of maintaining its honour and integrity, for it is indeed a grave and constant responsibility. But it gave me confidence to see your representatives around me in the Abby and to know that you too were enabled to join in that infinitely a beautiful ceremony. Its outward forms come down from distant times but its inner meaning and message are always anew for the highest of distinctions is the service of others. And to the ministry of kingship I have in your caring dedicated myself with the Queen at my side in words of the deepest solemnity, we will, God helping us, faithfully discharge our trust.

“Those of you who are children now will I hope retain a memory of a day of carefree happiness such as I still have the day of my grandfather’s coronation. In the years to come some of you will travel from one part of the Commonwealth to another and moving that within the family circle will meet many who sought our colours by the same memories whose hearts unite in devotion to our common heritage. You will learn I hope how much our pre-association means to us, how much our friendship with each other and with all other nations on earth pick up the cause of peace and progress.

“The Queen and I will always keep in our hearts the inspiration of this day. May we ever be worthy of the goodwill which I am proud to think surrounds us at the outset of my reign. I thank you from my heart and may God bless you all.”