In 1953, the young Prince Charles was presented with his own specially designed invitation to his mother’s Coronation.

It was personally chosen by the monarch after members of the Art Workers’ Guild, of which he is an honorary member, were asked to submit designs. They were designed by heraldic artist Andrew Jamieson, who had never seen the King’s childhood invitation. The invitations were printed on recycled card with gold foil detailing. “By command of The King, the Earl Marshall is directed to invite… to be present at the Abbey Church of Westminster on the 6th day of May 2023”. It says: “ The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The bright blue wording introduces Her Majesty for the first time as Queen Camilla. It also features the four floral symbols of the UK, the rose, shamrock, thistle and daffodil, and both the King and the Queen Consort’s coats of arms. Hand-painted in watercolour and gouache – an opaque, water-soluble paint – it embodies the King’s biggest passions, nature and the environment, with an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife. His Majesty has chosen a similarly brightly illustrated design to adorn his own invitation that has been sent to more than 2,000 guests. The design, revealed by Buckingham Palace last month, echoes a special, hand-painted invitation to the late Queen's ceremony that was designed especially for the future King when he attended the 1953 ceremony as a four-year-old prince. The invitation to the King's Coronation is elaborate and colourful, striking a playful, celebratory tone.įor the monarch, it may also be a little familiar.

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