Historic document gives inside look at King Charles’ coronation one year ago

King Charles III was presented with the historic document that officially records his accession and crowning on Wednesday, as the one-year anniversary of his coronation next week draws closer.

King Charles III was presented with the historic document that officially records his accession and crowning on Wednesday, as the one-year anniversary of his coronation next week draws closer. Charles became the British monarch on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. His coronation was held eight months later on May 6, 2023 in an event unlike anything the nation had seen in seven decades. The intricately presented and painstakingly crafted manuscript was brought to Buckingham Palace’s 1844 room and presented to the King and his wife, Queen Camilla, by its author, Antonia Romeo, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. Held within it is a detailed account of Charles’ accession, the meticulous planning of his coronation and a detailed rundown of all elements from the magnificent procession to deeply religious ceremony at Westminster Abbey. For the first time in 700 years, it was created on paper rather than the traditional animal skin vellum. Originally written in Latin and French, the practice of making a handwritten official state record of the sovereign’s coronation goes back to Edward II and Queen Isabella in 1308. Most of the rolls these days are kept at the National Archive. The document moved to English in the 17th century, but that didn’t stop the King from making a little quip about the past while viewing it. “At least it’s in English,” Charles joked. The monarch seemed to be thrilled with the creation and thanked calligrapher Stephanie von Werthern-Gill and heraldic artist Timothy Noad, who helped decorate it with national symbols of the United Kingdom and previously designed the King’s cypher. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am,” he added, according to the UK’s PA Media news agency.