Coronations

CORONATIONS

Have you ever seen a coronation? The queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II became Queen on June 2, 1953 (59 Years ago). Too long ago for most of us to remember. Did you know the the Queen's main residence, Buckingham Palace, boasts 775 rooms and 78 bathrooms?

But many of us remember the pageantry of the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and now another prince, William, son of Diana and Charles and future King of England, recently married on April 29th to Kate Middleton.

England is all a flutter. Kate's dress (surprise) and her ring are drawing much attention. The handsome prince is no slouch either. Harry is the best man. The wedding will occur at Westminster Abbey. There will be two choirs, one orchestra and two fanfare teams will perform the music at the Wedding Service. During the ceremony at the 1000 year old Westminster Abbey, trumpeters from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force (RAF) will accolade Prince William and Catherine Middleton once they have signed the register making them husband and wife.

William and Kate plan to take over London's exclusive Goring Hotel for their reception. The 100-year-old hotel is intimate, luxurious and private, and has its own royal pedigree: During the queen's coronation, many of the royal families of Europe stayed at the Goring. Its kitchen was actually the command center for the Chief of Allied Forces during World War I.

As for the royal Coach, there are two options--in rainy weather, the Glass Coach built in 1881 will be used, and if the sun is shining, they will use the open-roof 1902 State Landau carriage. No detail is left to chance.

Now contrast this with Jesus coronation in Jerusalem--also known as Palm Sunday.