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| Extremely fragile coronation chair being restored | Extremely fragile coronation chair being restored |
| (3 months later) | |
| Conservation expert Krista Blessley describes the coronation chair as "extremely fragile" | Conservation expert Krista Blessley describes the coronation chair as "extremely fragile" |
| The medieval chair used in the coronation of monarchs is undergoing conservation work, in order to be ready for the crowning of King Charles III. | The medieval chair used in the coronation of monarchs is undergoing conservation work, in order to be ready for the crowning of King Charles III. |
| The 700-year-old oak chair is described as "extremely fragile" by conservation experts at Westminster Abbey. | The 700-year-old oak chair is described as "extremely fragile" by conservation experts at Westminster Abbey. |
| The painstaking preservation work is intended to clean the chair and stabilise layers of flaking gilding. | The painstaking preservation work is intended to clean the chair and stabilise layers of flaking gilding. |
| It's part of the preparations for the coronation ceremony to be held at the Abbey in London on 6 May. | It's part of the preparations for the coronation ceremony to be held at the Abbey in London on 6 May. |
| The historic coronation chair, a centrepiece of the ceremony for centuries, is a "unique work of art", says conservator Krista Blessley. | The historic coronation chair, a centrepiece of the ceremony for centuries, is a "unique work of art", says conservator Krista Blessley. |
| "It's the oldest surviving piece of furniture still used for its original purpose," she says. | "It's the oldest surviving piece of furniture still used for its original purpose," she says. |
| Like his royal predecessors, King Charles will sit in the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey | Like his royal predecessors, King Charles will sit in the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey |
| It was made on the orders of Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307, and it has been used in almost every coronation ceremony since then. | It was made on the orders of Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307, and it has been used in almost every coronation ceremony since then. |
| But Ms Blessley says "it's not a museum piece" and has faced some hard knocks. | But Ms Blessley says "it's not a museum piece" and has faced some hard knocks. |
| Tourists and schoolchildren scarred it with graffiti in the 18th and 19th Century. | Tourists and schoolchildren scarred it with graffiti in the 18th and 19th Century. |
| "P. Abbott slept in this chair 5-6 July 1800" is among the letters carved into the chair, which will be used by King Charles at the ceremony in May. | "P. Abbott slept in this chair 5-6 July 1800" is among the letters carved into the chair, which will be used by King Charles at the ceremony in May. |
| What we know about the coronation so far | What we know about the coronation so far |
| Lloyd Webber piece among new coronation music | Lloyd Webber piece among new coronation music |
| Controversial diamond won't be used in coronation | Controversial diamond won't be used in coronation |
| Subsequently, the chair was damaged in a bomb attack in 1914, attributed to suffragettes campaigning for votes for women. | Subsequently, the chair was damaged in a bomb attack in 1914, attributed to suffragettes campaigning for votes for women. |
| "It's extremely fragile. It has a complex layer structure, which means the gilding layers often flake off, so a lot of my work is sticking those layers of gilding back down, making sure it's completely sound before the coronation," says Ms Blessley. | "It's extremely fragile. It has a complex layer structure, which means the gilding layers often flake off, so a lot of my work is sticking those layers of gilding back down, making sure it's completely sound before the coronation," says Ms Blessley. |
| Graffiti is carved into the back of the historic chair | Graffiti is carved into the back of the historic chair |
| The conservator has already been working on the chair for four months. | The conservator has already been working on the chair for four months. |
| "If there are little changes in humidity the wood moves, and that complex layer structure moves - new areas will lift. I might consolidate something this month, then in two months I might need to consolidate it again," says Ms Blessley. | "If there are little changes in humidity the wood moves, and that complex layer structure moves - new areas will lift. I might consolidate something this month, then in two months I might need to consolidate it again," says Ms Blessley. |
| But she's very proud to be working on such an "exquisite example" of medieval craftsmanship, including finding a previously unrecognised design of toes on the back of the chair. | But she's very proud to be working on such an "exquisite example" of medieval craftsmanship, including finding a previously unrecognised design of toes on the back of the chair. |
| In its original medieval form, the chair was covered with gold leaf gilding and coloured glass, with patterns of birds, foliage, animals, saints and a king. | In its original medieval form, the chair was covered with gold leaf gilding and coloured glass, with patterns of birds, foliage, animals, saints and a king. |
| The chair was designed to enclose the Stone of Scone, which had been seized from Scotland by Edward I - and the stone, which is currently in Edinburgh, is expected to be brought back to Westminster Abbey for the coronation. | The chair was designed to enclose the Stone of Scone, which had been seized from Scotland by Edward I - and the stone, which is currently in Edinburgh, is expected to be brought back to Westminster Abbey for the coronation. |
| Queen Elizabeth II in the coronation chair in 1953 | Queen Elizabeth II in the coronation chair in 1953 |
| Dr George Gross from King's College London is part of a research project into the history of coronations. | Dr George Gross from King's College London is part of a research project into the history of coronations. |
| In recent coronations the high-backed gothic chair has been left uncovered, but he says in the Tudor and Stuart eras it would have been covered by a lavish cloth of gold. | In recent coronations the high-backed gothic chair has been left uncovered, but he says in the Tudor and Stuart eras it would have been covered by a lavish cloth of gold. |
| The coronation has a strong religious element, and Dr Gross highlights the sense of the ancient chair having acquired its own sacred status - as a "deeply mystical relic" - which was seen as "emitting a form of spiritual radioactivity". | The coronation has a strong religious element, and Dr Gross highlights the sense of the ancient chair having acquired its own sacred status - as a "deeply mystical relic" - which was seen as "emitting a form of spiritual radioactivity". |
| Details have begun to emerge about the coronation ceremony for King Charles III, including 12 new pieces of specially-composed music, with an anthem by Andrew Lloyd Webber. | Details have begun to emerge about the coronation ceremony for King Charles III, including 12 new pieces of specially-composed music, with an anthem by Andrew Lloyd Webber. |
| The ceremony is expected to be a shorter and more inclusive service than in 1953, with about 2,000 guests, rather than the 8,000 who attended the late Queen's coronation. | The ceremony is expected to be a shorter and more inclusive service than in 1953, with about 2,000 guests, rather than the 8,000 who attended the late Queen's coronation. |
| Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be crowned alongside the King, but it's been revealed that her crown will not include the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond. | Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be crowned alongside the King, but it's been revealed that her crown will not include the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond. |
| It's not yet known who will be invited to the ceremony, with particular interest in whether Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex will be part of the congregation. | It's not yet known who will be invited to the ceremony, with particular interest in whether Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex will be part of the congregation. |
| What we know about the Coronation long weekend so far: | What we know about the Coronation long weekend so far: |
| Saturday 6 May: Coronation service in Westminster Abbey; coronation carriage procession; Buckingham Palace balcony appearance for the Royal Family | Saturday 6 May: Coronation service in Westminster Abbey; coronation carriage procession; Buckingham Palace balcony appearance for the Royal Family |
| Sunday 7 May: Concert and lightshow at Windsor Castle; Coronation Big Lunch street parties | Sunday 7 May: Concert and lightshow at Windsor Castle; Coronation Big Lunch street parties |
| Monday 8 May: Extra bank holiday; Big Help Out encouraging people to get involved in local volunteering projects | Monday 8 May: Extra bank holiday; Big Help Out encouraging people to get involved in local volunteering projects |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| UK Royal Family | UK Royal Family |
| Coronation of King Charles III | Coronation of King Charles III |
| Queen Camilla | |
| Westminster Abbey | Westminster Abbey |
| King Charles III | King Charles III |
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