The issue of June 6, 1953, is the ‘Coronation Ceremony Number’
(Appendix List No. 149). Here we see the
Queen in her golden coach pulled by eight grey horses; the coronation
procession; the solemn pomp and pageantry of the ceremony; the Princes,
Peers, Prime Ministers and Commoners listening to the Queen take the Coronation
Oath; full coverage of the three hour complicated ritual; the appearance
of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
at midnight waving to the huge cheering crowd; the hundreds of thousands
of spectators on the Victoria Embankment watching the fireworks and the
whole of London in her Coronation dress
The cover of this issue is based on the embroidery of the Golden Dalmatic
robe (or Robe Royal or Pall of Cloth of Gold), the last ceremonial garment
with which the Sovereign is invested at the Coronation ceremony, after
the Anointing. The design incorporates golden eagles, alternating with
roses, thistles and shamrocks, in a trellis work in which crowns and fleurs-de-lys
are introduced. In the centre is a diamond pendant containing a portrait
of Queen Elizabeth II It is an enlarged adaptation of the diamond pendant
containing an enamel miniature of George IV lent to the ILN by Messrs.
S. J. Phillips, jewellers.
This is issue number 5955, vol. 222, pages 901-964, measuring 37 x 26
cm. and priced at four shillings.