
The Investiture per annulum, et per sceptrum et baculum: The Keeper of the Jewel House gave the Queen’s Ring, which was set with a sapphire and a ruby cross, to the Archbishop of Canterbury who put it on the fourth finger of the Queen’s right hand, and said a prayer. The canopy was removed and the Queen was dressed in the Colobium Sindonis, a simple sleeveless white linen shift, and the Supertunica, a long coat of gold silk which reaches to the ankles and has wide-flowing sleeves. The Archbishop then anointed the Queen in the form of a cross on the palms of both hands, the breast, and the crown of the head. The Dean of Westminster took the Ampulla which held the Holy Oil and poured some into the Spoon. Four Knights of the Garter held a canopy over her. The Anointing: After being disrobed of her crimson robe, the Queen sat in King Edward’s Chair.

The Communion Service: Traditional service of the Anglican Church Afterward, she kissed the Bible and signed the Oath. She then proceeded to the altar and solemnly swore the Oath with her right hand on the Bible. The Oath: The Queen, seated in the Chair of Estate, took the Coronation Oath administered by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Each time the Archbishop said, “Sirs, I here present unto you Queen ELIZABETH, your undoubted Queen: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, Are you willing to do the same?” The People replied each time, “God Save Queen Elizabeth.” The Recognition: The Archbishop of Canterbury along with Lord Chancellor, Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, and Earl Marshal proceeded to the East, South, West, and North sides of the coronation theater.

Westminster Abbey was closed for five months prior to the coronation so that the construction needed for 8,000 people to attend could be completed.


The ceremony in Westminster Abbey, with the exception of the anointing and communion, was televised for the first time. Before her death, Queen Mary insisted that the coronation go on as scheduled. Queen Mary, the new queen’s grandmother, died on March 24, 1953. She was 25 years old at the time and the mother of two young children under the age of four. Queen Elizabeth II had acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952, upon the death of her father King George VI.
