It is rare to write about history as it unfolds. A coronation at Westminster Abbey is at once a ceremony steeped in over a thousand years of tradition, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, and an event firmly of the present era. Coronations are momentous occasions when monarchy and nation take the opportunity to re-examine themselves, articulating beliefs and aspirations. Linking Crown, Church, and peoples in the union of monarch and state, they serve as vital barometers of constitutional principles and cultural values. At the heart of this event lie fundamental questions of national identity and core beliefs, with the concepts of justice and mercy shaping proceedings since the earliest traditions. Drawing on a wealth of previously unexamined archival material—and uniquely, the views of children from across the UK in 2023—this book uncovers the significance of coronations as their influence ripples outward from Westminster, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the history of the British monarchy.

George Gross is a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London, UK, and founder of the British Coronations Project there.