Everything you need to know about coronation fashion

When King Charles III and Queen Camilla are crowned on Saturday, they will be taking part in a tradition that dates back 1,000 years.

Many others feel comparatively modern about the attire at the ceremony.

The first coronation in 70 years for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 marked a number of changes, particularly regarding the dress code. Then the participating members of the nobility wore crown clothes and corners – a small crown. Members of the royal family were decked out in the finest bling the royal treasury had to offer: weighty diamond necklaces and tiaras, evening gowns and sashes with pins representing the ceremonial orders awarded.

But King Charles is determined to be the monarch of the 21st century, and for that reason, ceremonial fashion will give a contemporary face. Saturday’s fashion is more expected to be seen at a royal wedding than a once-in-a-lifetime crown. That’s true for everyone from the 2,000 guests (a huge discount from Queen Elizabeth’s 8,000) to senior members of the royal family. Royal Correspondent Valentine Law The Times of LondonThe Princess of Wales published a story on Sunday that said the tiara could be forgotten in favor of a flower crown.

Formal dress code isn’t the only style trending around this year’s event. Over the past 70 years, the fashion industry has evolved into an era of intense marketing, product collaboration, and rapid manufacturing. As a result, many brands – especially British labels – have capitalized on the crown of special edition products and trade shows. At Sunday’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle – another modern creation – expect to see British designers on the likes of Katy Perry and Nicole Scherzinger.

The age of the coronation is thought to play a role in the rise in the cost of living in the UK. But it remains to be seen whether a more streamlined approach will satisfy those who crave the dignity and ceremony they expect from the royal family.

“Huge, expensive, a big show of all the jewelry seems really inappropriate and deafening, but at the same time, without that glitter and beauty, does the royal family lose something?” Royal fashion expert Christine Ross said. “It is absolutely impossible.”

Queen Elizabeth II since 1953 (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)

What is the coronation dress code?

While much of the clothing has passed away from the coronation, King Charles and Queen Camilla remain in their best, including the ermine-trimmed golden silk robes (although those are also durable – they were reused after the coronation of their grandfather, King George VI, in 1937). Other notable pieces include the Crown of St. Edward – the first replica of which was made for Edward the Confessor in 1661, which was first used at the coronation of the last King Charles – in addition to the Or and Scepter, and a crown originally made for Charles. ‘ Ancestor Queen Mary (where Camilla is being crowned) is all used. King Charles to wear military uniform: Bruce Oldfield, Queen Camilla’s favorite designer, is said to be making her Coronation Day dress.

It’s a different story for the rest of the audience. Many guests wear suits and formal day wear, with accessories such as fascinators, which have become synonymous with royal events. However, in a particularly casual move, it has been reported that hats will not be required, according to royal correspondent Emily Andrews, meaning the dress code will be less formal than required at a royal wedding.

For senior members of the royal family, such as the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, the men are expected to wear military uniforms befitting their dignified position. What the women wear remains even more of a mystery. At past coronations, women of similar rank, such as the Princess of Wales or the Duchess of Edinburgh, wore a gown and tiara. Their attire for Charles’ coronation won’t be revealed until the day, and reports are conflicting, particularly as to whether the royal’s senior ladies will wear tiaras at the ceremony. The most recent reports suggest that they’ll be leaving the shiny headgear in the vault. (Although the floral headpiece may be a tiara with floral motifs.)

Even if they don’t wear a tiara, we see other significant royal jewelry associated with the new king, such as necklaces or earrings. The Duchess of Edinburgh, for example, wore the strawberry brocade she wore to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September. In honor of her new role, the Princess of Wales’ costume may include a headpiece for Wales, such as the daffodil, Wales’ national flower.

The designer the Princess of Wales will wear is also packaged, although it will no doubt be a British designer. Catherine Walker, who made her wedding dress 12 years ago, Emilia Wickstead and Sarah Burton are among the names being considered for Alexander McQueen.

Rumors of the changes have sparked a bit of backlash online, with some arguing that casual clothes are not appropriate for the once-in-a-generation event.

“The disconnect is small. You’ll see Camilla and Charles, and perhaps with their robes and crowns, and your royal ladies in their church attire. Andrews said.

About the flower head idea, “This is a crown. Not Glastonbury.

However, there has been one last-minute change, which makes the bigger point: as previously reported, hereditary peers and members of the House of Lords will no longer wear the crown, as per tradition. telegraph He ran a story earlier this week saying there was a change, and now they’re allowed to do so.

The shifts all come in a bid to make the show seem more tailored to the British public and less relatable than in the past. For example, for the first time there will be an “honour of the people” where Britons are invited to pledge their allegiance to the king. Although Andrews reckons the coronation celebrations themselves cost £100 million ($125.9 million), changing the dress code will only do so much.

How are British fashion brands involved?

Outside of Westminster Abbey, British brands are also celebrating the occasion. London’s streets and shops are awash with festive decorations for tourists and locals alike.

“The atmosphere is electric and very exciting,” said Paul Gauger, chief executive of America, Australia and New Zealand, on a visit to Britain. This is a moment in history and people want to be there and capture that.

Some brands are launching new products for the event. Burberry has released a silk scarf in collaboration with Highgrove, the private country home of King Charles, that features an image of the estate’s garden. Brands such as LK Bennett and Kiki McDonough, both of whom went to the Princess of Wales, are selling jewelery pieces in honor of the royal, while Asprey is selling a commemorative jewelery box in royal purple.

London-based jewelry brand Anushka, another favorite of the Princess of Wales, featured a crown-centric beauty, a miniature version of St. Edward’s crown, featuring rubies, sapphires and emeralds. In the past, the platinum jubilee has been a magnet for other royal events like last year. Only 100 charms were made, and each one was stamped with a crown hallmark. The founder of the brand, Anushka Dukas, said that she has seen demand for the product not only in the UK, but also in America and Asia, especially Hong Kong.

“The jewels are here forever, think about the crown jewels that have been around for ages,” she said. “It was only natural to do something spectacular to celebrate the coronation and to celebrate something truly British.”

Along with the beauty, the brand also publishes the crown’s newsletter, Anushka Gazette, which features a Dukes podcast interview with Lady Anne Glenconner, lady-in-waiting to the late Princess Margaret, and portraits of members. The royal family wore their products. It will be placed in VIP malls in hotels around the UK and in department stores around Coronation Day.

British brands are also set to take the stage at Sunday’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, with acts such as Lionel Richie and Katy Perry set to take the stage.

“High-end brands are jumping on the bandwagon just as much as low-end brands; every store has a crown theme and the windows are dressed in red, white and blue. “There’s a real sense of nationalism and a traditional celebration of what it means to be British.”