The Queen Opens Up About Her Coronation In Rare Public Interview

Royals | Celebrity

The Queen Opens Up About Her Coronation In Rare Public Interview

You never know where Queen Elizabeth II will make a surprise appearance next. Even now, the 91-year-old royal is continuing to do things that she normally wouldn't, which keeps us on our toes.

Through her six-decade rein, The Queen has rarely spoken candidly on camera, which makes times like these all the more powerful.

In the new documentary The Coronation, Queen Elizabeth II makes a surprise appearance when she discusses her coronation in 1953, as well as the dazzling crown she wore on that day.

People

The film uses rare footage and explores the history behind the famous crown that the Queen has only worn once in her life.

Including 23,000 precious stones, the original St. Edward's Crown was destroyed after the English Civil War, but was remade for the Coronation of Charles II in 1661. Weighing a whopping 4 pounds, Queen Elizabeth II only wore the precious piece for a brief time during her coronation, before switching to a lighter crown.

She also goes on to speak about the 1937 coronation of her father King George VI, when she was just 11-years-old.

"I've seen one coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable," says the royal great-grandmother.

At only 25 years old, Elizabeth had her coronation 16 months after she ascended to the throne following the death of her father.

With the weight of both St. Edward's Crown and a country recovering from WWII, Elizabeth had no easy task to take on.

People

The documentary will include eye witness accounts from those who participated in the ceremony, including a 12-year-old choirboy who found himself singing alone when the rest of the singers lost their voice at the magnitude of the occasion.

Prince Charles was also interviewed for his account of the event.

"It is truly an honor to have Her Majesty The Queen revealing her intimate knowledge of the Crown Jewels "” and fond childhood memories from when her father was crowned King George VI," said Charlotte Moore, Director of Content at the BBC.

"In her own words, the Queen will bring to life the enduring symbolic importance of the coronation ceremonies for modern audiences to enjoy."

The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, marking 60 years on the throne, and in 2015 became the longest-serving monarch overtaking, Queen Victoria.

The documentary airs on the Smithsonian Channel in the United States on January 14 at 8 PM.

Will you be tuning in?

Source: People / BBC