Coronations

Soldiers have long played an important role in major state occasions. To mark the coronation of King Charles III, this temporary display explores the close ties between the monarchy and the Army.

The link between the monarchy and the Army has always been strong. On joining the British Army, all soldiers swear an oath of allegiance to the reigning monarch, as Head of the Armed Forces. Their ceremonial duties reinforce this special bond.

Coronations in Britain can be traced back more than a thousand years. Since its formation, the Army has played a vital role in these great occasions of state.

Coronation events also took place across the British Empire, both to celebrate royal succession and promote imperial identity. As in Britain, they were often marked by spectacular displays of pageantry.

Today, coronations combine rituals of religion, ceremony and the constitution. They serve as symbols of identity, continuity and community, while also demonstrating military strength.