Operation Globe Doré, in other words the coronation of Charles III, has been in preparation for years. Its meticulous organization is full of often picturesque, sometimes moving details. Here is a small selection.
A signature dish
Who says coronation, says special recipe created by the royal chef and approved by the king. The “signature dish” for the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 was called “Chicken Queen Elizabeth”, testifying not only to the predominance of French in gastronomy, but also to the influence of India in British cuisine since it it was chicken bathed in a curry and cream sauce, easy to eat hot or cold in a salad or between two slices of bread. It is still found on the shelves of ready meals at Marks & Spencer under the name “Coronation Chicken”.
The so-called coronation recipe must indeed be popular and easy to consume. Charles III and his wife therefore naturally chose for the occasion of their coronation… a quiche. This spinach, cheese and tarragon quiche has 25 grams of bacon for the dough, but vegetarians will just have to omit this annoying detail to adopt it. As Mark Flanagan, the royal chef, says, it’s a convivial recipe that can be adapted to all tastes and can be eaten cold or hot, accompanied by salad or potatoes. In short, an ideal recipe for the street banquets planned throughout the country on May 6, 7 and 8.
spiritual rite
Even if Charles III willingly calls himself guardian of all obediences, to be as inclusive as possible in his multicultural kingdom, his title is “guardian of the Faith”, Christian and Anglican. It is in this capacity that Pope Francis recently offered him two fragments which would come from the cross of Christ according to the Vatican. These divine shards, 5 and 10 mm long, were mounted on a silver Welsh cross. This will open the coronation procession. Nearly 500 years after the excommunication of King Henry VIII by Pope Paul III, relations between the Vatican and Buckingham Palace are in good shape and this papal gift offers proof.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, meanwhile, announced that the divine anointing of the monarch would be kept hidden from television cameras and guests, as for Elizabeth II. It is at this time that the king undresses his ceremonial clothes to wear only a simple white shirt. The oil from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem was consecrated last month and will serve to join in union “the king with the king of kings.” It was at this time that Charles III “entered into the service of his subjects, of his country and of God.”
A not-so-trivial porcelain service
At each royal event, birth, baptism, wedding, and of course coronation, its batch of derivative products, stamped with the royal seal. Among all these trinkets, the porcelain service commemorating this May 6, 2023 has already caused a lot of ink to flow. Indeed, its deep blue color has intrigued many observers. This choice is not trivial, we quickly learned.
It must indeed mark the return of a male to the throne after 70 years of absence, and according to the Royal Collection Trust which produces these porcelain tea and coffee services, this navy blue would be synonymous with “masculinity”. A masculinity that will pay off big for the crown: the cup of tea and its saucer cost 50 pounds, or nearly 60 euros, and the pillbox 125 pounds, or about 140 euros. But when you love, you don’t count: all the pieces of this special service are already out of stock.
A royal carriage built in 1762
There is undoubtedly an explanation for the drastic reduction in the route taken by the royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and back. This will only be two kilometers long, a quarter of the one borrowed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. One wonders if it is not a question of a horse-drawn carriage. Because if the horse-drawn carriage for the outward journey, manufactured in 2012 and equipped with all modern comforts such as air conditioning, should put the monarch and his wife at ease, on the other hand, the horse-drawn carriage on the way back risks tiring, or less damn shaking, those royal highnesses.
Imagine for a moment, Charles III and Queen Camilla will take the Gold State Coach, a royal carriage built in 1762 and whose leather suspensions have not been redone since! Used at every coronation since William IV in 1831, Charles and Camilla will not break with tradition. Admittedly, they will look great, but given the weight of the machine (4 tons), drawn by eight gray Windsor horses, they will have to go at a walk and the return trip will last a good half hour. Elizabeth II, who had to travel a much longer route in this carriage, on the way to and from her coronation, confided in 2018 that the trip had been frankly “horrible.” Good luck, Charles!