EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS FROM ITS CURATOR BUCKINGHAM PALACE WE GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SUMMER OPENING

This year's Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace will focus on the historic coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The backdrop for the exhibition, which will be one of London's greatest tourist attractions over the next few months, is the majestic Ballroom, which is used for state banquets. In this exclusive article for HELLO!, the curator Sally Goodsir talks readers through what to expect from the spectacular display...

'Two days after the death of Elizabeth II last September, King Charles III was proclaimed monarch at the Accession Council at St James's Palace with the words: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith." The British monarchy also maintains the tradition of a coronation, which is held at Westminster Abbey in London, creating a moment of national celebration centred around a church service that both anoints and crowns the new sovereign.

The complexity of the coronation service means that much of the wonderful craftsmanship and thought that had gone into making or restoring the new and historic pieces used on the day is seen only fleetingly. During preparations for 6 May, it was therefore decided that elements of the coronation might form a special display for visitors to Buckingham Palace this summer.

We were delighted to receive permission to display Their Majesties' outfits, worn for the departure from the abbey and the appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony, as well as some of the historic items worn at the moment of crowning.

It is the coronation robes I particularly cannot wait to share with our visitors. They are displayed together and the detail in the old and new items is breathtaking. The King chose to wear the robe worn by his grandfather George VI in 1937 and great-grandfather George V in 1911. It is a rich purple silk velvet and has been well cared for over the past century.

PAST AND PRESENT COMBINED 

Over this, His Majesty wore the diamond-set Great George pendant, part of the insignia of the Order of the Garter, which was also worn by previous generations of Kings to their own coronations. It is an important piece, probably first made for George II in the mid18th century.