Elizabeth II became ascended to the throne of Great Britain on February 6, 1952, upon the death of her father, King George VI. The queen's coronation ceremony however, followed more than a year later in June of 1953. Why the delay? Well, one reason was to accommodate a respectful period of national mourning for the late king. Secondly, to accommodate the massive operation of organizing a regal coronation on a scale never seen before... as for the first time, television cameras were placed in Westminster Abbey to record all but the most solemn moments in the coronation ceremony... the annointing and communion portions were the only parts of the ceremony not seen by the camera.
Queen Elizabeth has carried some amazing bouquets in her lifetime. The coronation bouquet seen above was created by London florist, Longman's of London, Ludhill Gate. The arrangement for coronation day consisted of Lily of the Valley, Stephanotis, and white Cattleya orchids. David Longman was responsible for this bouquet, his father Martin was responsible for the design of her bridal bouquet, while still Princess Elizabeth, on her marriage to Prince Phillip in 1947.
Royal Tid-bit of the day... During her coronation, the Queen wore several headpieces... on the way to the Abbey she wore the George IV diadem, on the return to the Palace she wore the Imperial State Crown... for the actual moment of crowning... St. Stephen's Crown, shown below.
Photo Credits: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
