A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA
A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA
A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA
A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA

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The chairs of state: A look at some of the most important symbols of the monarchy

Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs play distinct role in coronation ceremonies of British monarchs

Marwa Hassan
Marwa Hassan

May 06, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

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The UK has a rich history of chairs of state, which hold great significance in royal ceremonies and symbolise the power and authority of the British monarchy.

Among the most prominent are the Chairs of Estate and the Throne Chairs, each playing a distinct role in the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs.

Crafted for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1953, the Chairs of Estate have been meticulously conserved and reupholstered.

These regal chairs mark the beginning of the service during coronation ceremonies.

The Throne Chairs, commissioned for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, in 1937, have also been preserved and reupholstered for use in future coronations.

During the coronation ceremony, the sovereign and their consort are seated on the Chairs of Estate, and the Archbishop of Canterbury administers the oath.

After the anointing and crowning, the newly crowned monarch moves to the Throne Chairs, signifying the completion of the most solemn part of the ceremony and the commencement of the homage segment.

Chairs of state in the UK, including the Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs, are characterised by their large size, ornate design, luxurious upholstery and gold or silver embellishments.

These opulent chairs grace formal events such as coronations, state banquets and religious ceremonies.

One of the UK's most renowned chairs of state is the Coronation Chair, also known as King Edward's Chair.

Phillip Williams, 86, from East Sussex, was 16 when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and worked a 15-hour shift as a young police cadet. All photos: Reuters
Phillip Williams, 86, from East Sussex, was 16 when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and worked a 15-hour shift as a young police cadet. All photos: Reuters
The helmet of retired Metropolitan Police officer Phillip Williams is displayed in his home in East Sussex
The helmet of retired Metropolitan Police officer Phillip Williams is displayed in his home in East Sussex
Alan Francis, 93, a retired police officer, at his home in Orpington, Kent
Alan Francis, 93, a retired police officer, at his home in Orpington, Kent
A City of London Police ornament belonging to Alan Francis, who was stationed outside Westminster Abbey during the queen's coronation
A City of London Police ornament belonging to Alan Francis, who was stationed outside Westminster Abbey during the queen's coronation
Brenda Piper, 88, left rear, with friends as they wait for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation procession to pass by in Piccadilly
Brenda Piper, 88, left rear, with friends as they wait for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation procession to pass by in Piccadilly
A letter from Queen Elizabeth II to Angela Cumlin, 97, thanking her for the birthday wishes she sent to the queen
A letter from Queen Elizabeth II to Angela Cumlin, 97, thanking her for the birthday wishes she sent to the queen
Norman Allen, 86, was 16 and a boy scout at the time of coronation in 1953. He volunteered to sell programmes on The Mall during the ceremony
Norman Allen, 86, was 16 and a boy scout at the time of coronation in 1953. He volunteered to sell programmes on The Mall during the ceremony
Pamela Tawse, 88, was 18 in 1953 and attended the coronation procession with a friend after working a night shift at St Bart's Hospital
Pamela Tawse, 88, was 18 in 1953 and attended the coronation procession with a friend after working a night shift at St Bart's Hospital
Old photographs of Tom Weatherall, 89, including one, centre, of him and a friend before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Old photographs of Tom Weatherall, 89, including one, centre, of him and a friend before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Muriel Tredinnick, 103, in her bedroom at the Rokewood Court Care Home in Kenley. In 1953 she visited a friend's house to watch the crowning on TV, the first time in her life she had watched television
Muriel Tredinnick, 103, in her bedroom at the Rokewood Court Care Home in Kenley. In 1953 she visited a friend's house to watch the crowning on TV, the first time in her life she had watched television
Rev Milton Job, 90, in the Celestial Church of Christ in south-east London. Rev Job, who moved to the UK in 1961 from Nigeria, was 20 at the time of the coronation and enjoyed an Empire Day festival with his community on the day of the event
Rev Milton Job, 90, in the Celestial Church of Christ in south-east London. Rev Job, who moved to the UK in 1961 from Nigeria, was 20 at the time of the coronation and enjoyed an Empire Day festival with his community on the day of the event
Information about Yvonne (Eve) Harewood, 83, on the door of her bedroom at the Peartree Care Home in London. Harewood, who is originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Information about Yvonne (Eve) Harewood, 83, on the door of her bedroom at the Peartree Care Home in London. Harewood, who is originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Angela Cumlin, 97, at home in London. Cumlin, who is Italian and moved to the UK in 1947, shares a birthday with the late queen and attended a party on the street where she still lives today
Angela Cumlin, 97, at home in London. Cumlin, who is Italian and moved to the UK in 1947, shares a birthday with the late queen and attended a party on the street where she still lives today
Olive Goldsmith, 90, at home in London. In 1953 she didn't know anyone with a television so she attended a street party with her baby and two friends
Olive Goldsmith, 90, at home in London. In 1953 she didn't know anyone with a television so she attended a street party with her baby and two friends
A basket belonging to Pamela Tawse, 88, who said in 1953 she 'could see nothing due to the density of the crowds'. But 'suddenly there was an almighty roar and above the crowds we could see the top of the Coronation Coach pass by,' she said. 'We were there, participating in the coronation.'
A basket belonging to Pamela Tawse, 88, who said in 1953 she 'could see nothing due to the density of the crowds'. But 'suddenly there was an almighty roar and above the crowds we could see the top of the Coronation Coach pass by,' she said. 'We were there, participating in the coronation.'
A portrait from 1953 of Reverend Milton Job and a photograph from 2008 of Queen Elizabeth II awarding him with an MBE on display at the Celestial Church of Christ, in south-east London
A portrait from 1953 of Reverend Milton Job and a photograph from 2008 of Queen Elizabeth II awarding him with an MBE on display at the Celestial Church of Christ, in south-east London
Brenda Piper, 88, with her daughter's cat Bueno. Piper was 19 in 1953 when she camped overnight on the route with her friends to get a good spot to watch the coronation procession
Brenda Piper, 88, with her daughter's cat Bueno. Piper was 19 in 1953 when she camped overnight on the route with her friends to get a good spot to watch the coronation procession
Yvonne Harewood, 83, originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Yvonne Harewood, 83, originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Royal Air Force veteran Tom Weatherall, 89, who received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II was 19 at the time of the coronation and part of the procession
Royal Air Force veteran Tom Weatherall, 89, who received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II was 19 at the time of the coronation and part of the procession
Alex Falk, 86, who was 16 in 1953, was inside Westminster Abbey for his job as a runner for Reuters and at the time did not realise the significance of the coronation
Alex Falk, 86, who was 16 in 1953, was inside Westminster Abbey for his job as a runner for Reuters and at the time did not realise the significance of the coronation

Housed in Westminster Abbey, this historic chair has been used for the coronation of British monarchs since the 14th century.

The Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs not only represent the importance of those seated upon them but also inspire awe and respect in observers.

As enduring symbols in British royal history, these chairs of state continue to reflect the grand tradition and significance of the monarchy.

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