Westminster Abbey Announces a Series of Talks to Celebrate the Coronation

Westminster Abbey has announced it is hosting a series of talks by leading authors and historians to explore the history and religious significance of the coronation.

Summer in our cathedrals: Westminster Abbey announces a series of talks to celebrate the coronation.

Held at St Margaret’s Church – part of Westminster Abbey – where coronations have been held since 1066 – the series runs from 2nd – 22nd June and will examine the coronation service over the years, explore monarchy, community and faith and delve into the secrets behind the enduring survival of the Crown.

The talks are part of a programme of events at the Abbey this summer to celebrate the coronation, which also includes a photographic exhibition in the medieval Chapter House until the end of September; an afternoon tea fit for royalty served in the Cellarium Café and Terrace until the end of July and themed Lates events on selected Wednesdays until July; and events for children and families on Saturdays and during school holidays.

The Coronation series opens on Friday 2nd June with a talk by Tracy Borman, historian and joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, exploring the history of the British monarchy, taking a closer look at the coronations of some of her favourite monarchs, and delving into the secrets behind the crown’s remarkable survival.

On Wednesday 7th June, historians Anna Whitelock and Alice Hunt look back at the coronation of HM The King on 6th May and compare this 21st-century coronation to those of kings and queens who have come before.

The Abbey’s Canon Theologian, the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, speaks on Thursday 15th June exploring monarchy, community and faith, and how they connect in Britain today.

The series concludes on Thursday 22nd June with a talk by author Helen Carr, who traces the origins of the coronation service back to the tenth century and beyond and looks at how this ancient ceremony has contributed to our sense of national identity.

For more information visit the events section of their website here.