King gets a real dress rehearsal!

Coronation ‘supertunica’: a long-sleeved gold silk coat with an elaborate belt. The gold buckle is cast with roses, thistles and shamrocks. Made for the Coronation of George V and also worn by George VI and Elizabeth II.

THE KING will wear a special gold silk coat at the Coronation, worn by his mother, grandfather and great-grandfather before him. During dress rehearsals for the May 6 ceremony, he will practise wearing the garment known as the supertunica, which is akin to priestly robes, as a reminder of the divine nature of kingship. Our picture shows how he might look in the robe. A source said: ‘There will be lots of outfit changes and the King will take part in several dress rehearsals so that it goes smoothly on the day.’

It is understood that a new stole, which will be placed over the supertunica, will be produced by a London livery firm. The Worshipful Company of Girdlers, which made the stole for the late Queen’s Coronation in 1953 (pictured above), no longer practises its craft. It does, however, still present the monarch with the stole.

A palace insider said that planning for the Coronation was about ‘getting the balance right’ by respecting the traditional elements of the ceremony while also making it ‘accessible’ for a modern audience.