Author(s): Christopher Lloyd

World History/Politics

Fifty years ago, on 2 June 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. This spectacular royal occasion ushered in what was referred to at the time as the second Elizabethan age. The optimism and excitement of the time was symbolized by Sir Edmund Hillary's conquest of Mount Everest a few days before Coronation Day. Today we look back on that period with both nostalgia and a new historical interest. This was the first Coronation to be televised, with an enormous audience worldwide. It took place during a period of great innovation, yet stood for continuity, stability and tradition. This book celebrates both the Coronation itself and the changing spirit of the age. It provides a concise history of coronation ceremonies through the centuries and a detailed account of the events of 1953, including Sir Norman Hartnell's design of The Queen's Coronation Dress. It also commemorates a remarkable work of art - the extraordinary Coronation Frieze, by the Polish-born artists Feliks Topolski (1907-89). Privately commissioned by The Duke of Edinburgh, this series of fourteen panels, painted in Topolski's unmistakable style, normally hangs in Buckingham Palace and has never been exhibited before. It d