June 2nd, 1953, Elizabeth was crowned, invested and anointed in Westminster Abbey in London.
In many ways the ceremony differed little from that of her illustrious predecessor, William the conqueror.
The nobles of the kingdom were present as were the Lords Spiritual and it was through the words of the Archbishop that the oaths were given and the anointing administered.
This is what Queen Elizabeth swore to do:
1) To maintain the laws of God in the realm and to uphold the true profession of the gospel.
2 To maintain to her utmost power the protestant reformed religion.
3) To uphold the doctrine, worship and discipline of the established church.
4) To that end, swear upon the great Bible, by the grace of God.
All this was done under the weight of a solid gold, 2 kilogram crown and with the great orb in her right hand, glittering with hundreds of diamonds, pearls, sapphires and rubies.
Sixty years later I believe our monarch has fulfilled her solemn oath of office and, among all the radiance of the crown jewels, I believe that Queen Elizabeth has shone as the brightest gem of all.
God save the queen.
Ian
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