Why these are the most historic moments of the past year…
The first year of a new monarch’s reign is almost always the most important. It’s the one that sets the tone for their chapter in our history.
And as King Charles stepped into the shoes he was born to fill, certain moments from the past year captured the tone for the New Carolean Age brilliantly, with a mutual respect for tradition and adaptation to the modern world.
Indeed, these traditional roles of the King are so ingrained in our history that five new 50p coins have been issued with authorisation from King Charles III himself to mark the first time that each role has been carried out by King Charles.
Let’s take a look at what they are and why they’ve become so integral to British identity…
The Royal Maundy Service – 6th April 2023
This is an annual service held in the Church of England on Maundy Thursday, ahead of the Easter weekend. During the service the British monarch distributes small silver coins known as ‘Maundy money’ as symbolic alms to elderly recipients.
On 6th April 2023, in the beautiful York Minster, the King gave 74 men and 74 women two small purses each – one red and one white – each containing Maundy money.
Importantly, the number of recipients and the value of the coins within the white purse reflects the King’s age. While the red purse held two commemorative coins, one issued to mark his 75th birthday and one to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation.
The Coronation – 6th May 2023
Now, we’ll all remember where we were on 6th May 2023, as the nation came together to witness the first Coronation in 70 years, with 20 million of us watching the live TV broadcast.
The crowning of a King or Queen is an ancient ceremony, rich in religious significance, history and pageantry.
A Coronation Liturgy (or Order of Service) was authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury and produced in close consultation with the King and the UK Government and comprised both traditional and completely new elements.
Trooping the Colour – 17th June 2023
Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial event performed every year on Horse Guards Parade in London by regiments of the Household Division, to celebrate the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This ancient ceremony has occurred since 1748 and is the highlight of the military ceremonial calendar.
King Charles III led the way on horseback with Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward also on horseback behind him.
The colour trooped in 2023 was that of The Welsh Guards for the first time in 30 years.
The Garter Service – 19th June 2023
In medieval times, King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table that he set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter.
Today, the Order includes The King, several senior members of the Royal Family, and twenty-four knights, chosen in recognition of their work. In 2023 two new members of the Order of the Garter were appointed by the King – Chris Patten, the final governor of Hong Kong, and former Labour minister Catherine Ashton.
Every June, a grand procession of the knights takes place at Windsor Castle, accompanied by a marching band and Officers of the Order, all in grand ceremonial dress.
The State Opening of Parliament – 7th November 2023
“His Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament” marks the beginning of a new parliamentary year.
The speech sets out the programme of legislation that the Government intend to pursue in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
Importantly, the 2023 State Opening of Parliament was held much later in the year than usual due to the Coronation in May.
These moments will go down in history as the first in the reign of King Charles III, and the most important British traditions upheld in 2023.
That’s why all 5 moments have been immortalised further on five official 50p coins which will remain highly collectable long after this chapter in our history is closed.
Click here to shop the King Charles III Inaugural Year Range
The coins which built Ancient Rome: yours for JUST £40 (+p&p)
Today you have the chance to secure an original coin from Ancient Rome for just £40 (+p&p).
Sought-after by collectors across the globe, these storied coins belong in everyone’s collection.
Read on to find out more about the myth which built Ancient Rome, the fateful tales of Roman Kings, and how you can secure a coin which could have passed through the hands of Emperors.
The Myth of Romulus and Remus
During a time shrouded in legend and myth, there lived two brothers named Romulus and Remus. Their story is at the heart of the founding of one of the greatest civilisations in history: Ancient Rome.
Romulus and Remus were born to a princess named Rhea Silvia and the god of war, Mars. Their grandfather feared their potential power and ordered them to be abandoned in the wilderness. But fate had other plans for the twins; they were discovered by a she-wolf, who raised them as her own.
As Romulus and Remus grew older, they learned of their royal lineage and the circumstances of their birth. Filled with a desire to reclaim their rightful place, they set out to establish their own city.
Legend has it that the brothers disagreed on where to build their city. Romulus favoured the Palatine Hill, while Remus preferred the Aventine Hill. To settle the dispute, they consulted the gods through a divine sign – birds flying overhead. The disagreement continued, so the brothers began to build separate cities.
But one fateful day, Remus decided to visit his brother Romulus, mocking the modest walls of Romulus’s budding city. In retaliation, Romulus killed his brother to defend his city’s honour. Undeterred by the tragic incident, Romulus continued with the construction of his city, eventually proclaiming himself as its rightful king in the year 753 BC.
Kings of Rome
As Rome grew, it became a thriving civilization, eventually evolving into a powerful empire that would shape the course of history for centuries to come.
All rulers after Romulus were elected by the senate, and there are seven legendary kings of Rome: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Martius, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin the Elder), Servius Tullius and Tarquinius Superbus, or Tarquin the Proud (534-510 B.C.).
However, there are other notable Kings such as Julianus who was killed when the Danube legions invaded Italy, and proclaimed their principal commander, Lucius Septimius Severus, emperor.
Genuine Coins from Ancient Rome for JUST £40 (+p&p)
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This guarantees you will receive a genuine Ancient Roman coin issued during the reign of a Roman king housed in a tamperproof capsule, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
And considering these sought-after ancient coins are being offered at such a competitive price, demand is expected to be high.
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One Year On: Five Facts About King Charles III’s Coronation Procession
One year has passed since the grandeur of King Charles III’s Coronation Procession swept through the streets of London, a momentous occasion that united the nation in celebration.
And as we reflect on King Charles III’s first year as King, let’s journey back to the splendour and spectacle of that unforgettable day.
Here are five facts about the impressive Coronation Procession:
It was the largest Ceremonial Military Operation in 70 years
The largest operation of its kind since Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Procession in 1953, two meticulously planned Processions accompanied King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the 1.42-mile route to and from Westminster Abbey.
Image Credit: Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Over 4,000 Servicemen and Women Took Part
Over 4,000 Armed Forces Personnel from at least 35 Commonwealth nations marched alongside Their Majesties during the Procession, this included representatives from The British Army, The Royal Air Force, The Royal Navy, The Royal Marines, The Household Division and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Image Credit: Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A Coronation First Took Place at Buckingham Palace
For the first time, the Procession formed up in the gardens of Buckingham Palace to give a Royal Salute and three cheers to the new King and Queen. King Charles III and Queen Camilla stepped out onto the West Terrace of the Palace to receive the salute.
The Coronation Flypast Had To Be Altered Again
The famous Buckingham Palace Balcony Appearance was due to be accompanied by a spectacular six-minute flypast including more than 60 aircraft, but the plans were scaled back due to the poor weather forecast. This also happened in 1953 as Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Flypast also had to be altered on the day due to poor weather conditions.
Image Credit: Ministry of Defence, OGL 3 via Wikimedia Commons
The Gold State Coach isn’t as comfortable as it may look
Their Royal Majesties travelled to the Abbey in Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee State Coach and once crowned, returned to Buckingham Palace in the ornate Gold State Coach.
Queen Elizabeth II, who used the coach for her Coronation, said that the Coach might look luxurious but it was an uncomfortable ride due to the lack of suspension!
Image Credit: Amanda Slater, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Other members of The Royal Family followed in the Australian State Coach, the Irish State Coach and the Scottish State Coach. Princess Anne rode behind the Golden State Coach on horseback as with His Majesty’s Guards.
The Ultimate Tribute To King Charles III’s Coronation Procession
Today you can own the ultimate tribute to our nation’s FIRST Coronation in OVER 70 years – The King Charles III Coronation Silver 50p Coin Bar for JUST £9.99 (+p&p) when you trial the King’s Coronation Procession Collection.
This is an extra special specification. Each coin in the collection has been carefully struck from 99.9% Pure Silver to a pristine Proof finish and despite being struck to a rectangular shape – it still carries a fifty pence denomination!
Continue collecting and you’ll build an enviable collection of stunning Silver 50ps featuring scenes taken straight from the Coronation Day!
And what’s more, each coin has been fully approved by His Majesty King Charles III himself!
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