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  • History / Coronations at the Abbey / Spotlight on coronations / Coronation Theatre
    • History of Westminster Abbey
    • Coronations at the Abbey
      • A guide to coronations
      • Spotlight on coronations
        • Coronation Theatre
        • The Liber Regalis
        • Order of Service
        • Coronation Chair
        • Ampulla and spoon
        • Music
        • Royal regalia
      • Queens Consort of Westminster Abbey
      • Coronation stories
      • A history of coronations
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      • The Abbey and the Royal Family
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    • Famous people / organisations
    • Explore our History
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      • Britain's Oldest Door
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      • Cheyneygates
      • The Cloisters
      • College Hall
      • The Coronation Chair
      • Cosmati Pavement
      • Crib
      • Funeral and wax effigies
      • Icons at Westminster Abbey
      • Jerusalem Chamber
      • Lady Chapel
      • Misericords
      • Modern Martyrs
      • Nave
      • Oil paintings
      • Order of the Bath
      • Poets’ Corner
      • Processional banners
      • Pyx Chamber
      • The Queen Elizabeth II window
      • The Quire
      • RAF Chapel
      • Retable
      • Royal tombs
      • Stained Glass
      • Vestments and frontals
      • Wall paintings
      • A joyful noise: the bells of Westminster Abbey
      • The Wedding of William and Kate
      • Celebrating the Commonwealth
      • Buried among the kings
      • Celebrating St Edward
      • Battle of Britain 80th
      • The Nation's Memory
      • Rediscovering the Great Sacristy
      • VE Day 75
      • ANZAC Day
      • Thomas Brock 100th anniversary
      • A History of Royal Burials and Funerals
      • A reflection for Holy Week
  1. Home
  2. History
  3. Coronations at the Abbey
  4. Spotlight on coronations
Photograph from above of the coronation theatre, including the Cosmati Pavement, the High Altar, the top of the pulpit and an area with seating.

Spotlight on coronations

Coronation Theatre

Discover more about the space within Westminster Abbey where coronations have taken place for hundreds of years.

Where exactly in Westminster Abbey do coronations take place? Watch Vanessa Simeoni, Head Conservator, explain the space that becomes the coronation theatre in this short introduction.

Photograph looking down on the High Altar, Cosmati Pavement and Quire within Westminster Abbey.

Spotlight on coronations: Coronation Theatre

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Spotlight on coronations: Coronation Theatre

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Photograph showing HM King Charles III sitting on the coronation chair within the coronation theatre. The coronation theatre includes a yellow and blue carpet, as well as the uncovered Cosmati Pavement within Westminster Abbey.

His Majesty The King's coronation

The striking colours of the yellow and blue carpet can be seen on the specially built Coronation Theatre, from in between the quire stalls to the front of the Cosmati Pavement. These colours were chosen to highlight and contrast with the robes of The King and Queen. Unlike at previous coronations, including The King's late mothers, the Cosmati Pavement was left uncovered, with the Coronation Chair placed upon it.

© Press Association

 

Right in the middle of Westminster Abbey is an area that was specifically built to be spacious enough to hold coronations. From West to East, it spans from the end of the quire stalls, through the crossing to the Sacrarium which ends with the High Altar. Similar to many Christian places of worship, Westminster Abbey is built in the shape of a cross, mirroring the shape of Jesus’ crucifix. This space where coronations happen is at the point in which the two parts of the cross meet, at the very centre of the Abbey.

For hundreds of years this would have been surrounded in colour; with bright wall paintings, stained-glass windows and decorated chapel screens. Most strikingly, and still visible today, is the colourful Cosmati Pavement. Laid down in 1268 during King Henry III’s rebuild of the Abbey, this large pavement was new and abstract in design, marking a shift from earlier medieval mosaics.

Photograph of Cosmati Pavement in Westminster Abbey, looking from above.

Look closer

Examine the detail of the Cosmati Pavement.

Photograph of Cosmati Pavement in Westminster Abbey, looking from above.

Look closer

Examine the detail of the Cosmati Pavement.

While it is referred to as the Coronation Theatre, the space between the High Altar and the quire stalls really acts as the stage for coronations past and present. It is here that the 700-year-old Coronation Chair is placed, facing the High Altar, on which the monarch sits for the majority of the service.

It is no coincidence that the location of the coronation is so close to the Abbey’s High Altar. As part of a Holy Communion service, the coronation is where the monarch makes promises to the people as well as God.

With coronations watched by thousands of people in the congregation, and by millions on television since 1953, it is this carefully constructed space which allows so many to clearly witness these moments in history.

Colourful illustration of the Recognition at King George IV's coronation. The coronation chair is in the centre, surrounded by members of clergy and the congregation seated in large stands within Westminster Abbey.
Photograph of two pages of the Liber Regalis, the guide to the coronations, on display at Westminster Abbey. The left illumination shows a king being crowned, surrounded by members of the clergy, while the right side shows a page of medieval Latin writing with an illustrative border.
Photograph of multiple Coronation Order of Services at Westminster Abbey
Photograph of the Coronation Chair in St George's Chapel in Westminster Abbey
Photograph of replica ampulla, an eagle shaped container within the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey
Photograph looking up at the organ in Westminster Abbey, representing music at coronations
Photograph of the replica royal regalia, including two crowns, an orb and sceptres displayed in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey
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An introduction

Spotlight on coronations

An introduction

Let’s start with the basics. What happens at a coronation and why do they take place at Westminster Abbey? Watch this short introduction to coronations to get you up to speed.

Find out more

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The Liber Regalis

Spotlight on coronations

The Liber Regalis

How do we know what a medieval coronation would have looked like? Watch Dr Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments, uncover what we know, and don’t know, about the Liber Regalis.

Find out more

2 / 7
Order of Service

Spotlight on coronations

Order of Service

How do the congregation know what will happen during coronations? Watch The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, describe why the order of service is so important.

Find out more

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Coronation Chair

Spotlight on coronations

Coronation Chair

Why does it matter where the monarch sits during their coronation? Watch Dr Susan Jenkins, Curator, unpack the historical and decorative features of this special chair.

Find out more

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Ampulla and spoon

Spotlight on coronations

Ampulla and spoon

What is significant about an ampulla and spoon? Watch The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner, explain the most symbolic and sacred part of the coronation.

Find out more

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Music

Spotlight on coronations

Music

Why is music integral to coronations? Watch Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, describe its purpose within the service in this short introduction.

Find out more

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Royal regalia

Spotlight on coronations

Royal regalia

Which objects feature in a coronation service? Watch Dr Tony Trowles, Head of Abbey Collection and Librarian, explain how the replica regalia are used in coronation rehearsals.

Find out more

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Having a daily relationship with a 1000 year old garden is a joy.

Jan - Head Gardener

 
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