The Robe Royal (also known as the ''Pallium Regale'', Imperial Mantle or Dalmatic Robe) is a

robe A robe is a loose-fitting outer garment. Unlike garments described as capes or cloaks, robes usually have sleeves. The English word ''robe'' derives from Middle English ''robe'' ("garment"), borrowed from Old French ''robe'' ("booty, spoil ...

worn by the British monarch when he or she is crowned. It is donned just before the monarch is invested with the Orb,

Ring (The) Ring(s) may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell Arts, entertainment, and media Film and TV * ''The Ring'' (franchise), a ...

and Sceptres. It is worn during the crowning and paying of homage. The Robe Royal used is one originally created for the 1821

coronation of George IV The coronation of the British monarch, coronation of George IV as king of the United Kingdom took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on 19 July 1821. Originally scheduled for 1 August of the previous year, the ceremony had been postponed due t ...

Use

The monarch enters Westminster Abbey for their coronation wearing the

Robe of State The Robe of State (also known as the Parliament Robe) is a robe worn by the British monarch on state occasions. A monarch typically has a robe made for their coronation and reuses it when attending the State Opening of Parliament at the start o ...

. This is removed for the Anointing ceremony in which they wear the '' Colobium sindonis'' ("shroud tunic"), an intentionally plain robe. After the Anointing the monarch dons the more ornate

Supertunica A Supertunica is a robe worn by British monarchs at their coronation. It is donned shortly after the Anointing ceremony for the vesting of the Crown_Jewels_of_the_United_Kingdom#Spurs, Spurs, Crown_Jewels_of_the_United_Kingdom#Swords, Sword of ...

over the ''Colobium''. After they have been invested with regalia including the Spurs, Sword of Offering and the Armills the monarch dons the Robe Royal over the top of the Supertunica and also wears the

Stole Royal The Stole Royal (sometime erroneously called the ''Armilla'') is an item of regalia used during the coronation of a British monarch, similar to the stole (vestment), stoles worn as vestments by clergymen. It is donned after the anointing of th ...

. The monarch is then invested with the Orb,

and Sceptres and crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. They remain in the Robe Royal as they receive homage from the bishops, peers of the realm and members of the Royal Family and the Communion is conclude. The monarch then moves to the shrine and tomb of St Edward the Confessor where the regalia, Robe Royal and Stole Royal are removed and replaced with the Imperial Robe for the procession out of Westminster Abbey. During the Coronation the monarch is enrobed by the

Lord Great Chamberlain The Lord Great Chamberlain of England is the sixth of the Great Officers of State (United Kingdom), Great Officers of State, ranking beneath the Lord Privy Seal but above the Lord High Constable of England, Lord High Constable. The office of Lo ...

who is assisted by the

Groom of the Robes Groom of the Robes is an office in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of England (later Great Britain, ultimately the United Kingdom). In 1953, the Groom of the Robes to Elizabeth II had the task of bringing forward the robes and other items of c ...

and the

Master of the Robes The Master of the Robes is an office in the British Royal Household. He is responsible for the King's robes at times such as a coronation, the annual Order of the Garter service and the State Opening of Parliament. Since the reign of Edward VII, th ...

Mistress of the Robes The mistress of the robes was the senior lady in the Royal Household of the United Kingdom, who would, by appointment, attend on the Queen (whether queen regnant or a queen consort). Queens dowager retained their own mistresses of the robes. In ...

Description

Unlike most of the robes used in the coronation the Robe Royal is not typically made new for each monarch. The one in current use was made for the 1821

. The design of the robe was based on the earlier mantles worn by Tudor and Stuart monarchs and, indeed, is little changed from those worn in the mediaeval period which were based on the

Dalmatic The dalmatic is a long, wide-sleeved tunic, which serves as a liturgical vestment in the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, United Methodist, and some other churches. When used, it is the proper vestment of a deacon at Mass, Holy Communion or other ...

vestment used by clergy. The association with ecclesiastical attire is intentional and meant as a reminder of the divine nature of the monarchy. The George IV Robe Royal is the oldest robe used in the coronation ceremony. The George IV Robe Royal is gold-coloured with symbols including foliage, crowns, fleurs-de-lis, eagles, roses, thistles and shamrocks embroidered in coloured thread. It is worn as a mantle and closed by a gold clasp in the shape of an eagle. The George IV Robe Royal was made by John Meyer for £24, with the gold clasp manufactured by goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. After the coronation of George IV the robe was retained by the

Dean and Chapter of Westminster The Dean and Chapter of Westminster are the ecclesiastical governing body of Westminster Abbey, a collegiate church of the Church of England and royal peculiar in Westminster, Greater London. They consist of the dean and several canons meeting i ...

before passing into private hands. It was returned to the Crown in the early 20th century and was used at the 1911 coronation of

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until Death and state funeral of George V, his death in 1936. George w ...

, the 1937 coronation of

George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until Death and state funeral of George VI, his death in 1952 ...

, the 1953 coronation of

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

, and the 2023 coronation of

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and ...

. A new Robe Royal was made by Werner and Sons of Braintree, Essex, in preparation for the coronation of Edward VIII. After this coronation was cancelled his successor, George VI, elected to use the George IV robe instead.

References

{{Coronation of the British monarch, state=collapsed 1821 works Monarchy of the United Kingdom Ceremonial clothing English clothing Regalia Robes and cloaks George IV

Use

Description

See also

References