Elizabeth II never laid down the heavy weight of the crown
Britain’s longest-serving monarch died on September 8th, aged 96
For the millions who watched on June 2nd 1953—for it was the first time in history that a British coronation had been televised—the most moving part of the ceremony came near the end. It was then that the imperial state crown, encrusted with 2,868 diamonds and weighing more than a kilogram, was placed on the pretty, dark and fragile head of Elizabeth Windsor, proclaiming her, in the eyes of all, Queen Elizabeth II.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “The weight of duty”
Obituary September 17th 2022
From the September 17th 2022 edition
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