King Charles III, the new monarch of the United Kingdom, recently shared his feelings of “slight anxiety” regarding the weight of the coronation crown, St Edward’s Crown, which he wore during his mother’s ceremonial transition in 2023. This moment of vulnerability, articulated in an upcoming documentary titled Coronation Girls, offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes emotions of a king who, despite his royal pedigree, still experiences apprehension under the weight of tradition.
The Weight of Tradition
The St Edward’s Crown, a historic piece dating back to the 17th century, weighs over two kilograms, and its imposing structure makes it one of the heaviest crowns worn by a British monarch. Speaking to Canadian filmmaker Douglas Arrowsmith for Coronation Girls, Charles described the experience of wearing the crown as one of mixed emotions, blending awe with a sense of unease. “It is much heavier and taller, so there’s always that feeling of feeling slightly anxious, in case it wobbles,” said Charles. This vulnerability is a poignant reminder of the personal burden borne by the monarch beneath the symbolic power of the crown, a symbol not just of authority but of continuity and the weight of history.
Charles’s reflection on the anxieties he felt when donning the crown highlights the physical and psychological challenges of embodying the role of king. The weight of the crown, which represents the power and duties bestowed upon the sovereign, also serves as a metaphor for the legacy that Charles must uphold balancing the modern needs of the country with the centuries-old traditions that define the monarchy.
A Legacy Rekindled
Coronation Girls takes viewers on a journey through the past, retracing the steps of 12 Canadian women who traveled across the Atlantic to witness Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. The documentary not only chronicles their voyage and the emotional significance of the event but also connects it to Charles’s own coronation. The women, now reunited, were surprised by King Charles at Buckingham Palace, where he shared memories of his mother’s coronation an event he witnessed as a four-year-old. “I remember quite a lot,” he recalled, despite his young age. “My mama used to come up at bath time wearing the crown to practice. You have to get used to how heavy it is.”
These anecdotes provide a deeply personal context to Charles’s reign, illustrating how even at such an early age, he was steeped in the ceremonial and symbolic responsibilities that would define his future role. The documentary underscores the continuity of tradition, where a young prince’s exposure to the crown’s weight parallels his own present anxieties about its physical burden.
The Crown as a Living Symbol
Charles’s reflections also illuminate the symbolic nature of the crown itself. Beyond its weight and grandeur, the St Edward’s Crown is a living symbol of the monarchy’s enduring legacy. It connects past, present, and future, serving as a tangible link to the centuries of British history and the countless lives that have been touched by it. As Charles prepares to embark on his reign, this crown worn by kings and queens for centuries serves not only as a crown of authority but also as a vessel of the monarchy’s continuity and the personal responsibility that accompanies it.
The documentary Coronation Girls, set to air on Boxing Day in Canada and internationally next year, will provide audiences with a unique perspective on the monarchy’s impact on personal lives and the deep emotional connection between the British people and their history. The film also offers a rare glimpse into the humanity of the royal family, showing that even those born into privilege experience moments of doubt and anxiety when faced with the weight of their responsibilities.
Anxieties Amidst Legacy
For King Charles III, the weight of the St Edward’s Crown is not just physical; it represents the weight of history and the challenges of adapting an ancient institution to the modern world. His anxieties reflect a broader concern about the monarchy’s place in contemporary Britain, where tradition must be balanced with the demands of a changing society. As Charles settles into his role, his recognition of these anxieties speaks to the complexities of being a modern monarch in a rapidly evolving world.
In the end, Charles’s reflection on the “slight anxiety” of the crown’s weight encapsulates the dual nature of his role tradition and modernity, continuity and change. It is a reminder that the monarchy, while rooted in the past, must remain relevant and responsive to the present, balancing the ceremonial with the practical, and the symbolic with the personal. The St Edward’s Crown, heavy as it may be, serves as a metaphor for the monarch’s burden and the enduring legacy of a royal institution that continues to shape Britain’s identity.
