Alongside our latest sovereign range, we will be sending our clients a copy of the Evening Standard Newspaper, dated the 5th May 2023; the day before King Charles III’s coronation. Here, we will be dissecting the main content from that very newspaper…
Front Page of the Coronation Special
‘Crowning glory’ is the title of this coronation special of the Evening Standard. It features a full scale image of King Charles III sitting on a gold chair, with the official Coronation Emblem at the top of the page. The banner at the bottom reads ‘King Charles III Coronation Weekend Souvenir Special’.
Page 2 and 3
‘Spectacle fit for a King: 300 million will watch Charles take the most solemn oath of all’ is the title of the first and largest piece, written by Royal Editor Robert Jobson. He sets the scene for the 40th Westminster Abbey coronation since 1066 in the biggest state occasion since the Queen was crowned. Within the piece, he explains the key timings for the day of the coronation, such as 7:15am when people will begin to arrive, 10:20am when the King will travel to the abbey, 1:00pm when the service ends, 1:45pm when the garden salute takes place, and 2:15pm when the royal family will appear on the balcony. There is also a map of the routes that the Processions will take.
Page 3 features the full Order of Service, and contains four smaller pieces; one discussing the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, one discussing the flowers that will be used to decorate Westminster Abbey, another one discussing the special message that was recorded by Charles and Camilla and broadcast across all 2,570 British rail stations and 270 London Underground stations, and finally one that discusses the medals that will be given to more than 400,000 people for their King’s coronation efforts.
Page 4 and 5
‘His strength and stay: the Queen with common touch’ is the title of the main piece of these two pages, also written by Robert Jobson. This piece mainly focuses on Camilla’s life, and the relationship between her and Charles. It also contains four images; one of Camilla, one of Charles and Camilla with their Jack Russells at Balmoral in 2020, one of them both at a polo match in 1975, and finally an image of Camilla, her then-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, and her two children Tom and Laura after Andrew received his OBE in 1984.
There is also a smaller section at the bottom, written by the same author, with the title ‘An end to William and Harry’s warring relationship? Don’t hold your breath’. This piece focuses on the relationship between the two brothers, and how it has slowly deteriorated over the years. It also discusses how the King is open to reconciling with his son. However, his focus will be on the Coronation and the thoughts of reconciliation are for another day. There is also an image within the piece of Kate, William, Harry and Meghan after the Queen’s death.
Page 6 and 7
‘Hardly can a king have been better prepared after wait of lifetime’ is the title of the piece that features across both page 6 and 7, written again by Robert Jobson. This piece examines the long period of service by Charles III before he even accedes formally to the throne, stating that he is ‘spiritual, passionate and sometimes eccentric, but always devoted to the cause’. It explores Charles’ life; from boarding school at Gordonstoun, to becoming a father, to his two marriages, right through to the death of his beloved mother last year. Across these two pages is an image of Charles and Diana with baby Harry in 1984, an image of William and Harry with their father in 1997, and an image of Charles and Camilla making their public debut as a couple in 1999.
Back Page of the Coronation Special
The final page of this coronation souvenir special comprises two pieces. The first one, entitled ‘The Coronation is an uplifting moment in the life of the nation’, speaks about the history of coronations, and the rituals and events which will take place during the ceremony. It also discusses the difference in reigns between King Charles III and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and the different challenges that Charles will face. It ends by declaring that King Charles will be ‘a devoted, conscientious, monarch’.
The second piece, ‘Charles will emerge from this sacred ritual as a different man’, is written by Hugo Vickers and discusses Charles’ long wait to become King, as well as what he wants to get out of the coronation, how he will change and evolve as a leader following the coronation ceremony, as well as wishing him well on his big day. It also features an image of the week’s night-time rehearsal of the Coronation parade on the Mall as well as an image of the King wearing the Royal Navy No 1 tailcoat with sword, the collar of the Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle Sash, Order of Merit neck order, Garter Star and Thistle Star.
You can own a copy of this coronation souvenir newspaper, alongside incredible sovereigns which have been released in celebration of King Charles III’s coronation, HERE.
