King Charles, an already dandy man, has reached his sartorial height during his coronation.
Throughout his life, Queen Elizabeth II's successor has aced standard menswear rules. His signature double-breasted jackets are tailored to ideal proportions, further enhanced by well-thought out color pairings with his collection of silk ties and handkerchiefs.
On the day of his coronation, King Charles will follow coronation wardrobe codes. His attire will be heavily bejeweled, dramatic, and regal—a combination of garments that will bring him as close to divinity as it gets.
The Coronation Regalia
Objects of the coronation regalia are the most sacred of Crown Jewels. During the ceremony, King Charles will don the St. Edward's Crown, and will hold the Sovereign's Scepter with Cross and the Sovereign's orb.
The St. Edward's Crown is a solid gold crown that is used for the crowning during the coronation ceremony. The last time it was used was for crowning Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. As King Charles exits Westminster Abbey, he will wear the Imperial State Crown. This crown is set with 2,868 diamonds. The Sovereign's Orb is a representation of the monarch's power, and the scepter was originally made for Charles II in 1661 and has been used at every coronation since.
The Robes
While the crown is obviously an emblem of royal figures, the use of robes is truly what makes the coronation a thespian affair. During the course of the ceremony, King Charles will don a four robes that are each unique and symbolic.
At the beginning of the service, King Charles wore a crimson surcoat that was worn by King George VI at his coronation in 1937. The velvet has been conserved by the Royal School of Needlework, with lining and gold lace conserved by Savile Row tailors, Ede and Ravenscroft. Over it and upon entrance, the monarch wore the Robe of State, also referred to as the Parliament Robe. The long crimson velvet train is adorned with gold lace and ermine.
During the anointment, King Charles wore the anointing gown (Colobium Sindonis, "shroud tunic in latin")–a plain white gown that is free from decoration. The simple design is meant to convey purity before god. During the investiture under the Imperial mantle, a Supertunica, a long, Byzantine-inspired gold silk coat is layered over.
For the investiture, King Charles will also wear the Robe Royal, an ornately embroidered robe decorated with national symbols over the anointing game. It is the oldest robe in the collection, and was made for King George IV's coronation in 1821. The robe consists of foliage, flowers, and crowns. It comes together with a gold eagle clasp. The robe is worn as the crown is bestowed on Charles's head by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Both the Supertinica and Robe Royal are removed before the monarch processes out of the Abbey, wearing the Imperial State Crown and carrying the Sceptre and the Orb. He will then wear the Imperial Robe. The late queen did not wear her father's robe, but instead made a new one out of purple silk velvet.
For departure, King Charles's will don the Robe of Estate which is made of purple silk velvet embroidered in gold. The Robe was last worn by King George VI in 1937, and was conserved and prepared by Ede and Ravescroft.
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