170 YEARS AGO, Thursday, June 28, 1838

Le couronnement de la Reine Victoria

Peinture de Hayter -1838

At seventeen minutes past three o’clock a Royal salute of twenty-one guns announced that the Sun was then rising upon the joyous day, when the Crown of these great realms was to be placed upon the head of the most popular and beloved Sovereign.

The whole metropolis was literally awakened and presented a scene of bustle and excitement rarely if ever equalled.

At four o’clock, the streets were so thronged with carriages and pedestrians that they were in many places impassable, and the whole population seemed to have been poured out in the direction of the Parks and of Westminster Abbey.

About eight o’clock the fine band of the Life Guars struck up “God Save the Queen” are played at intervals until commencement of the procession.

The carriages which were to compose the cavalcade now took their places according to the order prescribed – those of the foreign ambassadors in the south walk, and the royal carriages in the north walk of the Mall.

At ten o’clock the procession began to move.

Her Majesty was in the most excellent spirits, and smiled graciously upon the many of her subjects who in this place strove to catch her attention to their affectionate greetings.

STATE PROCESSION, FROM THE QUEEN’S PALACE TO THE WEST GATE OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Starting at Buckingham Palace...

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace en 1901

Order of the procession

Under the direction of one of the Queen’s equerries with two assistants :

  Trumpeters ;
  A squadron of Life Guards ;

High Constable-Trumpeters-Equerry

Life Guards

Life Guards

  Carriages of the foreign resident ambassadors and ministers, in order in which they take precedent in this country :

The Chargé d’Affaires of Mexico ; The Chargé d’Affaires of Portugal ; The Chargé d’Affaires of Sweden ;

The Saxon Minister ; The Hanoverian Minister ; The Greek Minister ;

The Sardinian Minister ; The Spanish Minister ; The Minister from the United States ;

The Minister from the Nederlands ; The Brazilian Minister ; The Bavarian Minister ;

The Danish Minister ; The Belgian Minister ; The Wurtemberg Minister ;

The Prussian Minister.

Chargé d’Affaires of Mexico	Portugal	Sweden
Saxon minister	Hanoverian	Greek

Sardinian	Spanish	United States
Netherlands	Brazilian	Baverian
Danish	Belgian	Wurtemberg
Prussian

  Carriages of the foreign ambassadors and ministers extraordinary, in the order in which they respective reported their arrival in this country :

Ahmed Fettij Pasha, Ambassador Extraordinary from the Sultan (Turkey) :

Ambassador Extraordinary from Turkey

The carriage was drawn by two horses. The body is painted a rich lake, with the rising sun and crescent richly emblazoned on the panels. Tle lining crimson and yellow silk, with rich festoons. The hammercloth is blue, with goldand scarlet hangers. The cenre is scarlet velvet, on which is the rising sun and crescent with diamonds. The carriage is lake, gold, and pink. The carving is also very massive. The harness is very handsome and elegant, with rising sun and creescent and star, with trphies, on the different parts to correspond. The coachman and footmen wore their usual European liveries.

 His Excellency Marshal Soult (Duke of Dalmatia, Ambassador Extraordinary from France :

France

The carriage of the above talented nobleman has created by far more interest than that of any other ambassador. The carriage is of french manufacture (Dalringen et Mathey); the colour is a rich cobalt, relieved with gold. The pannels are superbly emblazoned with the arms of his Excellency, at the back of which are the baton of a Field Marshal. The only order is that of the Legion of Honour. It has side lights and four elegant lamps, ornamented with the ducal coronet, of rich chased silver. The raised cornice is also of silver, and it is higher and more elaborately chased than any other carriage in the cavalcade ; at each of the four comers is a ducal coronet of large dimensions. The lining of the interior is of a rich nankeen satin, relieved with scarlet, and fitted up in quite an unique style. The hammerclth is of ble broedcloth, and trimmed with nankeen gimp and tassels. In the centre is the arms of his Excellency, exquisetely embroided. The harness is ornamented with a most beautifully chased silver furniture. The liveries are of a drab colour, with a rich figured silk lace. It was drawn by two horses.

 His Excellency the Duke de Palmella, Ambassador Extraordinary from Portugal :

Portugal

The carriage was drawn by two horses. It is of a deep but very brilliant green, relieved with silver, on which is ornemental tracery of vermillion and a lighter green than the ground ; the arms are richly emblazoned on all the pannels ; beneath those in the centre are the Duke’s numerous orders. The loops are silver, with rich chased silver foliage, terminating with the coronet ; a solid silver cornice surrounds the roof. The lamps are exceedingly rich, surmounted by the ducal coronet. The hammercloth is white, and in its elegance as well as its novelty. Between rows of rich lace is a deep gimp that, for its richness, might be taken for embroidery. In the centre are his Excellency’s arms, richly gilt, within rich Genoa crimson velvet mantles, surmounted by the Coronet. The linig is of white satin damask, striped with rose-coloured satin, being drawn in the centre of the room in festoons, the le interior being finished with a white silk lace, figured with coloured roses. The harness is most richly embossed with silver, with silver, with waving plumes for the horses. The chasseur’s uniform and servants’liveries are : Chasseur’s : green coat, trimmed on collar and cuffs with silver russia braid ; scarlet collar, cuffs, and turn-bcks ; trousers green, with broad silver lace down the sides, handsomely trimmed with silver russia braid ; silver croos-belt, sword and c. Servant’s : Coats of dark green, line through with sarlet, lace richly with silver lace on edges, seams, flaps, and frames, with silver lace ; breeches, scarlet, with silver lace garters.

 His Excellency Count Gustave de Lowenhielm, Ambassador Extraordinary from Sweden :

Sweden

His Excellency’s state carriage was drawn by two horse. The body is painted rich lake, with the arms and the different orders richly emblazoned on the pannels. The lining is blue and yelllow silk, with handsome festoons ; the hammer-clth is of white cloth, with gold fringe and hangers ; the centre contains the armes and different orders of his Excellency, in chased gold on crimson Genoa velvet, with rich lace fringe round the same ; the carriage and wheels painted a rich cobalt blue, relieved with crimson and gold. The carving of the carraige is very massive ; the harness is most splendid, with the arms richly embossed on different parts. The colour of the coats is crimson, trimmed with yellow, and laced in a most elegant manner, with rich gold lace, which blends well with the waistcoats and small-clothes of whiter kerseymere ; they are also trimmed with rich gold lace. The chasseur’s dress is of green, of the most massive and splendid description, being laced in the richest manner with gold lace.

 His Excellency the Marquis de Brignoles, Ambassador Extraordinary from Sardinia :

His Excellency’s carriage is of french manufacture. The body is of a deep chocolate colour, relieved with white. On the pannels the Noble Marquis’s arms are emblazoned in a beautiful style, to the garter of which are appended the various Orders of his Excellency. It is the only carriage (excepteing Marshal Soult’s that has side-lights. It is particulary remarkable for its symmetry ans chasteness. At each come ris an elegantly silver-mounted lamp, ornamented with his Excellency’s coronet. The lining is of a rich figured crimson damask, the roof being ornamented with fesstoons of white satin , the whole is finished with a figured silk lace of crimson and white. It was drawn by two horses, their harness being ornamented with richly-chased silver mountings. The liveries are a chasseur in a green uniform, with gold cross, bolts and lace ; feathers blue and white. Footmen, &c : The coati s scarlet, the seams, lappets, &c., being covered colours. The waistcoats and breeches are white, trimmed with the same lace.

Sardinia

His Excellency Count Alten, Ambassador Extraordinary from Hanover :

Hanover

The Strate coach painted olive green, relieved with white ; the lining is a rich drab with satin strpes ; arms, supporters, an orders emblazoned on pannels, and white fringe, and bullions, and embroided arms and coronets. The liveries are white cloth, with crimson cuffs and collars, laced with silver ; silver aguilettes on the shoulders. The waistcoats white, laced with silver. The breeches of crimson plush, with silver garter. It was drawn by two horses.

His Excellency Prince Putbus, Ambassador Extraordinary from Prussia :

Prussia

An elegant State coach of tne first class, chastely painted, the royal yellow relieved by a massy portion of gilding, picke out black, and edged with cobalt blue, decorated with heraldry painted on the doors in large mantles, in which are displaye his Highness’s arms and foreign orders of knighthood, surmounted by a crown in the quarters. Both the back and end are also filled with emblazonry. The upper quarters are missively occupied by twelve stately elaborately chased head plates of his arms and orders ; on the top of them is dispayed a rich finished embossed cornice, gold relieved with rubies. The roof is elegantly and tastefully painted by being starred in gold, chastely studded and relieved with blue. The lining is a delicate and fine amber, in shades, the lace combining in relief over rose, shamrock, and thistle . The seat cloth is beautifully formed ; it is of yellow velvet, nearly covered with the richest lace, and having on the whole a fine effect. The carriage was drawn by two horses ; harness ornamented with chased brass. His Highness had two chasseurs, in green and gold uniforms, with cocked hats, the feathers of which are yellow and green. The liveries are rich dark puce-coloured coats, covered with a heavy gold lace ; waistcoats and breeches of yellow, with gold lace and garters.

His Excellency the Marquis de Miraflores, Ambassador Extraodinary from Spain :

The State Coach is painted dark lane, and was drawn by four horses ; the arms, with the different orders of his Excellency, with supporters and rich mantling, beautifully emblazne, on the pannels. The lining on rich crimson silk lace ; the top beautifully worked and fluted in white satin. The footmen’s standards and coachmen’s seat of solid carved work, richly gilt ; hammerchoth white, with gold-coloured fringe and hangers, tastefully arranged in festoons. The liveries are vrey neat, being white, trmmed with a figured silk lace.

Netherlands - Austria

 His Excellency Baron de Capellen, Ambassador Extraordinary from the Netherlands :

A State coach, painted an ultra-marine blue, relieved with orange, and lined with drab flowered silk. Arms and supporters emblazoned on the pannels in large crimson and furmantle, surmounted by large coronets, and the star of several orders displayed on the quarters ; handsomely fringed hammercloth, with embroidered arm and supprters, and richly chased lamps, surmounted by large brass chased coronets. It was drawn by six horses. The liveries are coats of the aaove beautiful blue, trimmed with silver lace, and silver epaulets ; orange waistcoats and breeches, trimmed with silver ; hats with real ostrich feathers.

Spain

 His excellency Prince Schwarzenberg ; Ambassador Extraordinary from Austria :

A state chariot of the most approved taste. The colour yellow, relieved with blue. On the pannels his Excellency’s arms in a mantle, superbly emblazoned varios orders are attached ; among the most conspicuous is that of the Gold Fleece. The top is surmounted by a neat but tasteful silver cornice, with the coronet of the Prince at the four corners. The handplates are of silver. The hammercloth is of pale blue, trimmed in an elegant style with amber-silk lace. In the centre are the armorial bearings of the Prince, of elaborately chased gold. The interior is lined with a rich blue watered silk damask. The carriage was drawn by two horses. The harness is beautiflly finished, and although exceeding rich and fully charged with arms, chased work. The liveries coats of imperial blue, lined with scarlet, decorated with a very small figured silvverlace ; waiscoat and breeches of scarlet, with silver lace trimmings. The chasseurs, a uniform of green, silver croosbelts.

 Count Strogonoff, Ambassador Extraordinary from the Emperor of Russia :

Russia

The body of the state carriage is painted lake with ornemental mouldings round the roof and framings, surmounted with coronets. The lamps embossed, and the body suspended by snakes issuing out of rushes, all richly gilt. The panels are embellished with his Excellency’s arms, supporters (foxes), three crests on helmets, and the ribbands and badges of the Russain Alexander and St Vladimir, the lion of Belgium, the Greek Order of Otho, and the medal to commemorate the campaign of 1812. The carriage carved with oak branches, vermillion and lake, and honesomely gilt. The lining is crimson figured silk, with gold colour lace and bullion trimmings, and relieved by the roof being white cloth embroidered with a wreath of oak, with the thistle and shamrock surrounding the rose. The seat-cloth is scarlet to match the livery, with gold-coloured lace and fringe with bullion drops, festooned and ornamented in the centre with his Excellency’s arms in gold on a rich black Genoa velvet. The harness is very splendidly emblazoned with solid brass frames, the arms of the Count being richly chased. The bridle is mounted with gold. Rich crimson silk driving reins, with scarlet satin roses and ear-bows, the whole being of the most splendid description. The whip is embroidered with scarlet and white silk, and superbly mounted with gold. The State liveries of his Excellency are of the most splendid description. The arms and crest of Count Strogonoff embroidered on it; the lining yellow, and the cuffs and collars of black velvet. The waistcoats are of yellow cloth, laced with the richest gold lace. The small clothes of scarlet with a gold band. The whole of them are of the finest quality, and have a grand and imposing appearance. This “turn out” was the most splendid in this brilliant cortege. The carriage was drawn buy two horses.

The Prince de Ligne ; Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of the Belgians (Belgium) :

Belgium

The carriage is painted a deep lake, picked out with broad lines of gold, and edged with vermillion. The arms of the Noble Prince are richly emblazoned on the panels; the roof ornamented by four gold coronets; the head plates are of the brass, richly chased, and full mounted with brass; the seat cloth is drab, bound with a rich figured silk lace and ornamented with festoons and rosettes. The carriage was drawn by a set of six fine greys horses, four-in-hand and postillions, and was accompagnied by two outriders on greys horses. The liveries are scarlet coat, with yellow collar, cuffs, and edging, richly laced with silver, and richly embroided with silver lace front, back, and sleeves ; a rich silver aigulette and badge of the Prince ; yellow vest, richly laced with silver ; yellow breechees, with silver garters. Postillion : Scarlet jacket, with yellow collar and cuffs, laced all round, and embroided with silver gimp, aand badge on the arm ; leather breeches. Footmen scarlet coat, with yellow collar, cuffs and edging, laced all over with silver; yellow breeches, with silver gartes. They are very rich in their appearance.

His Excellency Count Ludolff, Ambassador Extraordinary from Sicily :

Sicily

The carriage of his Excellency was the same that he attended her Majesty’s Drawing-Rooms on ordinary occasions. The State liveries are composed of scarlet cloth, with several rows of rich purple Genoa velvet, edged with gold, and footman’s holders to correspond, with scarlet tassels, producing a beautiful effect.

Turkish Resident Ambassador

French

Russian

Austrian

  Under the direction of one the Queen’Equerries with two assistants ;
  Mounted Band of a Regiment of Household Brigade Detachment of Life Guards ;

  Carriages of the branches of the Royal Family, with their respective escorts :

Equerry - Band of Household Brigade

Life Guards

The Duchess of Kent and attendants, in her Royal Highness’s two carriages, each drawn by six horses, with her proper escort of Life Guards;

Duchess of Kent

The Duchess of Gloucester and attendants, in her Royal Highness’s two carriages, each drawn by six horses, with her proper escort of Life Guards;

Duchess of Gloucester

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and attendants, in his Royal Highness’s two carriages, each drawn by six horses, with his proper escort of Life Guards;

Duke of Cambridge

Duke of Cambridge

The Duke of Sussex and attendants, in his Royal Highness’s carriage, drawn by six horses, with his proper escort of Life Guards;

Duke of Sussex

  Under the direction of one of the Qeen’s Equerries with two assistants,
  Mounted Band of a Regiment of the Household Brigade;
  The Queen’s Bargemaster and the Queen’s forty-eight Watermen;

Equerry - Band of Household Brigade

Watermen

  Her Majesty’s carriages , each drawn by six horses :

The first carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, convoyed: conveyed:

Two Pages of Honour : James Chas. M. Cowell, Esq G.F.C. Cavendish, Esq; Two Gentlemen Ushers : Major Beresford; Captain Green ;

Second Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

Two Pages of Honour : Charles Ellice, Esq ; Lord Kilmarnoch ; The Hon; F. Byng C. Heneage, Esq ; Two Gentlemen Ushers ;

Third Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

Two Bedchamber Women : Lady Theresa Digby ; Lady Char. Copley ; Hon. George Keppel : Henry Rich, Esq ; Two gooms in waiting ;

1st carriage

2nd carriage

3rd carriage

Fourth Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

Two Bedchamber Women : Lady Harriet Clivee ; Lady Caroline Barrington; Hon. William Cowper ; Frederick Stovin ;

Fifth Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

 Two Maids of Honour ; Honourable Miss Rice ; Honourable Miss Murray ; Groom of the robes, Captain Francis Seymour ; Clerk Marshal, Hon. Colonel Cavendish ;

Sixth Carriage :

 Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

 Two Maids of Honour ; Honourable Miss Lister ; Honourable Miss Paget ; Keeper of the Pvisy Purse Sir Henry Wheatley ; Vice-Chamberlain, Earl of Belfast ;

4th Carriage

5th Carriage

6th carriage

Seventh Carriage :

 Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

 Two Maids of Honour ; Honourable Miss Cavendish ; Honourable Miss Cocks ; treasurer of the Household, Earl of Surrey ; Comptroller of the Household, Hon. George Byng ; Eight Carriage :

 Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

Two Maids of Honour : Honourable Miss Dillon Honourable Miss Pitt ; Lord Gardner; Lord Lilford ;

Ninth Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six greys; two grooms walking conveyed:

Two Ladies of the Bedchamber : Lady Portman ; Lady Barham ; Lord Byron ; Viscount Falkland ;

7th Carriage

8th Carriage

9th carriage

Tenth Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed:

Two Ladies of the Bedchamber : Lady Lyttlrton ; Countess of Mulgrave ; Viscount Torrington ; Earl of Uxbridge ; Eleventh Carriage :

Two grooms walking ; drawn by six bays ; two grooms walking, conveyed: Two Ladies of tne Bedchamber : The Countess of Charlemont ; Marchioness of Tavistock ; The Earl of Fingall ; Marquis of Headfort ; two Lords in waiting ;

Twelfth Carriage :

Three grooms walking;drawn by six blacks;two grooms walking conveyed:

The Principal Lady of the Bedchamber : The Marchioness of Lansdowne ; The Lord Chamberlain ; Marquis Conyngham ; The Lord Steward, Duke of Argyll

10th carriage	Voiture 11	11th carriage
Voiture 12

 A squadron of Life Guards
 Mounted Band of the Household Brigade ;
 Military Staff and Aid de Camp on horseback, three and three

Royal Horse Guards

Band of the Household Brigade

Military Staff

Attended by one groom each, and on either side by the Equerry of the Crown Stable, Sir George Quentin and the Queen’s Gentleman Rider, Deputy Adjutant General, Deputy Quarter-Master-General, Deputy Adjutant General Royal Artillery, Quarter-Master-General; Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief, Adjutant-General ;

 The Royal Hunstmen, Yeoment Prickers, and Foresters,

 Six of her Majesty’s Horses, with rich trappings, each horse led by two grooms,

Midnight - Comus - Robin - Beauty

 The Knight Marshal on horseback ;
 Marshalmen in ranks of four ;

 The Junior Exon of the Yeomen of the Guard on horseback ;

 One hundred Yeomen of the Guard, four and four ;

 The Senior Exon, Ensign, and Lieutenat of the Yeomen on horseback

 THE STATE COACH :

Drawn by eight cream-coloured horses, attended by Yeoman of the Guard at each wheel, and two Footmen at each door,

 The Gold Stick Viscount Combermere ; and the Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard ; The Earl of Ilchester, riding on either side, attended by two grooms each, conveying :

Marshalmen

Yeomen

The Queen

The Mistress of the robes, the Duchess of Sutherland ; the Master of the Horse, the Earl of Albemarle

 The Captain-General of the Royal Archers, the Duke of Buccleuch, attended by two grooms ;

 A squadron of Life Guards closed the procession.

Clerk of the Cheque - Ensign & Lt of the Yeomen

Gold State Coach

Life Guards

The procession occured in Westminster Abbey

Abbaye de Westminster - vue ouest

Westminster abbey

This panorama is the Facsimile of Queen Victoria’s Coronation Procession reprinted in 2004 by "Carriage Museum of America". It is approximately 57 feet long 4 inches high divided into four sections.

FORE’S GRAND CORONATION PROCESSION CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA IN 1838 shows no fewer then 350 horses, 205 riders, 50 carriages, 264 servants, 82 foot soldiers, 41 musicians and 71 passengers.

The full description of the Coronation day of Her Majesty was given by The Morning Herald, The Sun (Mr Thompson) and, in France, l’Annuaire Historique Universel pour 1838 by Charles-Louis Lesur.

;