Is King Charles's coronation robe made from real fur?
King Charles III’s coronation was always going to be full of pageantry, with all eyes on the monarch and Queen Camilla.
During the coronation, His Majesty wore the same robes that were used by his grandfather, King George VI, in a bid to be more sustainable.
Charles wore the the robe of the state as he was sworn to the ceremony, while the robe of estate is worn while Charles departs Westminster Abbey following the coronation.
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The robe of state is made from crimson velvet, gold lace, and trimmed with ermine fur. Ermine fur comes from animals called stoats.
The robe of the estate is made of purple silk velvet and is also trimmed with ermine fur. Because Charles is using his grandfather’s robes, he is wearing real fur.
The garments were made by Ede and Ravenscroft, who have made the robes for every coronation since 1689, and who have preserved King George VI’s robes for Charles to wear.
Both Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation day outfits were previously worn by past monarchs.
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Camilla will also be wearing a robe of state and a robe of estate. Her Robe of State was originally made for the late Queen, but features a new ensign by the Royal School of Needlework with embroidered bees, beetles and other insects to reflect her and Charles’s love for the natural world.
Did you know the King’s Guard’s caps are made from the fur of bears, slaughtered for fun by hunters in Canada?
The Coronation procession will be the largest display of dead bears for a generation. Spot them on the heads of the King’s Guards.#coronation #coronation2023 pic.twitter.com/udM1AGC1XU— PETA UK (@PETAUK) May 6, 2023
Earlier this week it was announced that Charles would be reusing vestments that featured in the coronation services of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, his grandfather, King George VI, his great-grandfather, King George V, and King George IV.
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The items would include the Colobium Sindonis, the Supertunica, the Imperial Mantle, the coronation sword belt and the coronation glove.
Watch: King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey
