The supertunica: King Charles will wear precious gold silk coat donned by 3 prior monarchs for coronation
LONDON, ENGLAND: For his coronation, King Charles III will reportedly wear a traditional gold silk coat that was previously worn by his mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The King will practice donning the supertunica, a robe-like garment that serves as a reminder of the divine aspect of royalty, during dress rehearsals for the event on May 6.
"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," a palace source told Daily Mail. The preparation for the coronation, according to the insider, was about "getting the balance right" by honoring the ceremony's historic components but still making it "accessible" to a contemporary audience. It has been reported that a London livery firm will create an entirely novel stole to cover the supertunica.
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The supertunica's history
The coronation supertunica has the shape of a full-length, sleeved coat of gold silk that opens at the front and is lined with red tabby silk, as per the Royal Collection Trust. It has a thin strip and a broader band of foliate-embroidered embellishment on either side. The traditional royal robe also features a belt that was similarly embroidered and had a gold buckle, cast with roses, thistles, and shamrocks. The supertunica is the garment worn under the imperial mantle.
The supertunica, like other coronation robes, is a type of priestly vestment, and although it is a modern garment, its design hasn't changed much since coronations in the Middle Ages. Its association with priestly vestments served as a reminder of the monarchy's heavenly origin. The supertunica was originally designed for King George V’s coronation at Westminster Abbey on June 22, 1911. Later, King George VI wore the robe at his coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 12, 1937. He then passed it on to his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, who wore it on June 2, 1953, for her own coronation.
Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend?
King Charles' coronation will have several close royal family members in attendance. However, it is not yet known if Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would witness the event. It has been reported the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from their royal duties in 2020, have been invited and are likely to be at the event on May 6, but several members of the family are quietly telling friends that they will give them the "cold shoulder".
According to a royal expert, Harry and Meghan may have the opportunity to engage in some diplomatic maneuvering during the mega event. Robert Hardman said the former royals should treat the royal family with "respect" if they wish to mend fences with them. "This is not our show, it’s his show, we are here because that’s the sort of respect for a beautiful thing to do. Private family issues aside … that’s for another day," he told Page Six.