Queen reveals her preparation for Coronation began aged 11

  • Queen has revealed her preparation for her Coronation began at the age of 11 
  • King George VI asked her to write an account of his enthronement in May 1937
  • She admitted she had a better recall of her father’s Coronation than her own 

The Queen has revealed that her preparation for her Coronation began at the age of 11, when her father asked her to write an account of his enthronement at Westminster Abbey in May 1937.

In a rare conversation, she recalls her father, George VI, asking her to write down what she remembered of the day, describing the experience as ‘very valuable’. 

In a BBC documentary due to be screened tonight, the Queen admits to Royal commentator Alastair Bruce that she has a better recall of her father’s Coronation than of her own.

The Queen has revealed that her preparation for her Coronation began at the age of 11, when her father asked her to write an account of his enthronement at Westminster Abbey in May 1937

Her account, written in a school exercise book, was inscribed: ‘To Mummy and Papa, In Memory of Their Coronation, From Lilibet. By Herself’.

It provides a detailed account of the day, from the moment she ‘leapt out of bed’ and concludes: ‘I thought it all very wonderful… The arches and beams at the top were covered with a sort of haze of wonder as Papa was crowned.’ 

Others, however, had a more frantic day.  The Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang, fretted about the regalia, not least as his assistant, the Dean of Westminster, was elderly and confused. 

To make sure the St Edward’s Crown was worn the right way,round, the Archbishop attached two threads to the front. 

But they were removed by an overzealous cleaner and at the critical moment, the Dean handed it over back-to-front.

The Archbishop was left floundering – another annoyance for the King, who had seen one Bishop treading on his train and another covering the Oath with his thumb.

The King wrote in his diary:’I never did know whether it was right or not.’ 

Her account, written in a school exercise book, was inscribed: ¿To Mummy and Papa, In Memory of Their Coronation, From Lilibet. By Herself¿

Her account, written in a school exercise book, was inscribed: ‘To Mummy and Papa, In Memory of Their Coronation, From Lilibet. By Herself’



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