Issue date: 7 September, 2023
On 6 May 2023, at the age of 73, King Charles III became the oldest monarch to be crowned in British history.
Prince Charles Philip Arthur George was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948 and became heir apparent (next in line to the throne) at the age of 3 in 1952. He was the first heir to see his mother crowned as Sovereign and went on to become the longest serving Prince of Wales.
King Charles III succeeded to the Throne on 8 September 2022 upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch. He was crowned on 6 May 2023 in Westminster Abbey, with The Queen Consort being crowned beside him. Westminster Abbey has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066, when William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day. His Majesty was the 40th Sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. It was the first time since 1937 that the coronation included the crowning of a Queen Consort.
Description of the Stamps
45p King Charles III and Queen Camilla are carried in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach as the King's Procession passes along The Mall to their Coronation ceremony. PA Images / Alamy.
70p King Charles III is crowned with the St Edward's Crown and surrounded by faith leaders during his Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. PA Images / Alamy.
£1.30 King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown, leaves Westminster Abbey in central London following his Coronation ceremony. PA Images / Alamy.
£2.50 The King and Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation. Abaca Press / Alamy.
£3 S/S King Charles III holds the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign's Sceptre with the Dove during his Coronation ceremony. PA Images / Alamy. The background shows the largest military procession since the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, making its way down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace following the Coronation. MB Media Solutions/Alamy.
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