Latest news with #ImperialStateCrown
Edinburgh Live
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Prince William considers major break from tradition that critics label 'ridiculous'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prince William, who just celebrated his 43rd birthday, is under pressure to abandon a long-standing tradition of the Royal Family that critics are labelling as "ridiculous" and more suited to a Disney fairy tale. As he considers how his coronation ceremony might look, there's chatter about him opting for something more understated. King Charles has already influenced expectations by trimming his own coronation ceremony by 30 minutes in comparison to Queen Elizabeth II's three-hour spectacle. According to Roya Nikkah, Royal Editor for The Sunday Times, Prince William seems poised to break from tradition, aiming for a ceremony that feels "relevant" today and serves to bring together the Commonwealth. Someone close to William mentioned that he may choose a quieter coronation that echoes the simpler ceremonies of medieval monarchs, with an emphasis on aligning with modern societal values, embracing diversity, and cutting down ostentatious displays. READ MORE - Benidorm heartthrob Jake Canuso looks unrecognisable now post 'miserable' split READ MORE - Couple 'removed from TUI hotel and barred from flights' after row over food The discussion even includes suggestions of dispensing with the Imperial State Crown, a £5 billion jewel-encrusted icon made in 1937, boasting 3,170 gems. The crown has been a symbol of coronations, previously worn by Charles as he led the post-ceremony procession. Some voices are calling for the retirement of what they see as an antiquated symbol from a different age. An insider mocked the concept of a fairytale-like coronation, sharply contrasting it with the distinguished garb seen at William and Catherine's nuptials, telling Cambridgeshire Live: "That ridiculous thing that looks like it's out of Disney? No. What I remember most about that day were William and Catherine's robes, Catherine's beautiful, simple headpiece, and William wearing nothing on his head,", reports the Mirror. (Image: Getty Images) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images) Amidst speculation over Prince William's choice of crown for his eventual coronation, there is a sentimental allure to the Imperial State Crown due to its ties with both his father and grandmother, The Times points out. Prince William has shown a penchant for defying expectations when it comes to traditional dress codes; he made a notable deviation from Court Dress in 2024 during the Order of the Garter ceremony. Whereas King Charles III was attired in the customary "knee socks and embroidered garter," William opted for a contemporary white tie and standard trousers look. The Daily Mail's Diary Editor, Richard Eden, expressed his disappointment at the time, remarking: "William was at the event, but he opted for white tie and just regular trousers – so a bit of a disappointment really. It would be great to see him in those silk stockings and breeches." Despite having worn knee-breeches on previous occasions, Eden suggested that William appears "uncomfortable" dressing so formally and speculated that Princess Kate probably enjoys these high-society moments. Eden noted: "You can always see her sort of teasing and giggling at him – particularly when it's the Order of the Garter ceremony where he has to wear all the velvet robes and the feathers. That's always fun."
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince William to ditch 'ridiculous' tradition in shake-up from King Charles
Prince William may abandon a royal tradition that has been passed down through the generations and is reminiscent of a Disney movie, a royal source has claimed Prince William is facing calls to break with a long-standing Royal Family tradition deemed "ridiculous" and fit for a Disney fairy tale. As the Prince of Wales, who recently turned 43, begins to contemplate his coronation ceremony, there is speculation that he may opt for a more low-key affair. His father, King Charles, has already set the tone by shortening his coronation ceremony by half an hour compared to Queen Elizabeth II's three-hour extravaganza. According to Sunday Times Royal Editor Roya Nikkah, Prince William has hinted that his coronation will be a departure from the norm, seeking a ceremony that is both "relevant" to modern times and "unifying" for the Commonwealth. A source close to the Prince revealed that his coronation may be more subdued, drawing inspiration from the simple coronations of medieval kings. They suggested that the ceremony should focus on elements that are pertinent to today's society, reflect diversity, and strip away unnecessary pomp. One proposal is to do away with the Imperial State Crown, a £5 billion masterpiece crafted in 1937, featuring 3,170 precious stones. The crown has been a staple of coronations, with Charles donning it to lead the procession after his crowning. However, some argue that it is time to retire this symbol of a bygone era. An insider scoffed at the idea of a Disney-esque coronation, recalling instead the memorable attire from William and Catherine's wedding day: "That ridiculous thing that looks like it's out of Disney? No. What I remember most about that day were William and Catherine's robes, Catherine's beautiful, simple headpiece, and William wearing nothing on his head," reports Cambridgeshire Live. The choice of crown for Prince William's future coronation remains uncertain, but there's a nostalgic pull towards the Imperial State Crown, which carries connections to his father and grandmother, as highlighted by The Times. Prince William isn't one to always stick to tradition; in 2024, he eschewed the expected Court Dress at the Order of the Garter event. While King Charles III donned the traditional "knee socks and embroidered garter," William chose a modern white tie ensemble with regular trousers. Daily Mail Diary Editor Richard Eden expressed his letdown at the time, saying: "William was at the event, but he opted for white tie and just regular trousers – so a bit of a disappointment really. It would be great to see him in those silk stockings and breeches." Despite previous appearances in knee-breeches, Eden notes William seems "uncomfortable" in such formal wear, though he muses that Princess Kate likely relishes these occasions. Eden observed: "You can always see her sort of teasing and giggling at him – particularly when it's the Order of the Garter ceremony where he has to wear all the velvet robes and the feathers. That's always fun."
Spectator
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The overlooked brilliance of BBC's The Hour
With reluctance – but enticed by its surprisingly starry cast and the fact that it had landed, ironically enough, on Netflix – I recently tuned in to The Hour, the BBC's 2011 political drama series. It's about a BBC TV news programme being launched in 1956, against the backdrop of the Suez Crisis. And, goodness me, isn't it good? Better than good, in fact – it's a high-carat television diamond, and not some lab-grown job either, but the real, romantic, sparkling deal hewn out of the earth and hawked via Antwerp before ending up in the Imperial State Crown. From the get-go – those classy, Hitchcockesque credits – you know you're in for a treat, and it doesn't disappoint: the dialogue brims with zingers and has the velocity of an assault rifle, like the West Wing in its pomp, while the plot zooms along, twisting this way and that, oozing corruption, sex and ambition.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles and Queen Camilla Unveil Coronation Portraits After 2024's Viral Official Painting Split Public Opinion
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Queen Camilla and King Charles III set out to London's National Gallery on Tuesday to unveil official coronation portraits two years after the historic ceremony. The portraits of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be displayed in the National Gallery for one month before they are removed to their permanent home at Buckingham Palace. King Charles' portrait was painted by Peter Kuhfeld, while the queen consort selected Paul Benney, respectively. More from WWD King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose with their official Coronation State Portraits during a visit to The National Gallery on May 6 in London. The new portraits were unveiled roughly one year after a portrait of King Charles by artist Jonathan Yeo was revealed at Buckingham Palace, stirring some controversy and debate for its strong imagery. Posted to Buckingham Palace's official Instagram, the 2024 portrait received such comments as 'I'm sorry, but his portrait looks like he's in hell,' per one user, while another referred to the painting as a 'blood bath.' The new coronation portrait of King Charles III features the monarch in his Robe of State, standing next to the Imperial State Crown. For the unveiling of the official coronation portraits on Tuesday, Queen Camilla opted for her signature style, one of her go-to designers and a sentimental piece of jewelry to honor Queen Elizabeth II. The queen consort wore a long-sleeve red midi dress courtesy of Fiona Clare. The dress featured a hidden zipper at the front and included a fitted bodice and flowing skirt with subtle pleating. King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Sainsbury Wing during a visit to The National Gallery on May 6 in London. Queen Camilla paired the look with suede taupe Eliot Zed pumps and carried a small bag courtesy of Charlotte Elizabeth. Queen Camilla smiles during a visit to The National Gallery on May 6 in London. Among her accessories, Queen Camilla wore her signature pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels and styled a special brooch. The queen consort adorned her Fiona Clare dress with the Raspberry Pip Brooch, a piece from the late Queen Elizabeth II's collection. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Queen Camilla's Royal Style Throughout King Charles III's Reign [PHOTOS] Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
CNN
07-05-2025
- General
- CNN
Coronation portrait of UK's King Charles unveiled
London Reuters — The official coronation portrait of Britain's King Charles was made public on Tuesday, two years after he was crowned, in a tradition dating back more than 400 years to a time when such a painting often became the defining image of a monarch. The portrait of Charles, in his Robe of State standing beside the Imperial State Crown, and one of his wife, Queen Camilla, will go on display in London's National Gallery for a month before being moved to Buckingham Palace, their permanent home, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Tuesday. Charles, 76, who was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer early last year some 10 months after his coronation, has been sitting for the portrait while he undergoes treatment. The king and queen commissioned the paintings shortly after the coronation ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey, choosing different artists. Charles was painted by Peter Kuhfeld, while Camilla selected Paul Benney, Buckingham Palace said. 'I have tried to produce a painting that is both human and regal, continuing the tradition of royal portraiture,' Kuhfeld said in a statement of the image of the king whose backdrop is the Throne Room in St James's Palace. Camilla is seen wearing her Coronation Dress of ivory colored silk, next to a different crown. Benney said he wanted to acknowledge the historic nature of the coronation while also showing 'the humanity and empathy of such an extraordinary person taking on an extraordinary role.' Historically, the paintings were used as a show of power. The earliest example in the royal collection is the state portrait of James I of England, James VI of Scotland, from 1620.
