As Buckingham Palace releases the invitation for the coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May, there is plenty of symbolism within the graphics which follow a theme of spring.
As the King signals an age of rebirth and regeneration, he has used wildlife and flowers associated with new beginnings to decorate the borders.
The natural theme nods to his love of nature, sustainability and climate conservation, as a monarch who has always held preservation of the environment close to his heart.
However among the abundance of flowers, thorns and wildlife included in the colourful decoration are poignant symbols of love, inclusivity and tributes.
From touching references to his beloved late parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, to a nod to a new generation of royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales, there are many hidden meanings associated with the invitation.
The King’s coronation invitation contains lots of symbolism and plenty of nods to loved ones lost, as well as the values King Charles holds dear
The King and Queen Consort will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, with 2,000 lucky people set to receive an invitation
Perhaps one of the most touching hidden messages in the invitation is the sense of unity and inclusion as Queen Camilla is put front and centre with several poignant references.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the symbolism within the invitation and what each little detail means…
1. King Charles’s coat of arms
King Charles’s coat of arms sits in the top left hand corner of the coronation invitation. The King was given the coat of arms when he was 13 years old
In the top left hand corner of the invitation is the King’s coat of arms.
The King was bestowed his crest when he was heir apparent at the age of 13, known as a heraldic achievement.
As with many of the crests his shield is guarded by a lion, which typically represents England.
The shield is guarded by a lion, which typically represents England, and a unicorn, which represents Scotland. In the bottom left quarter of the shield is a harp, which represent Ireland.
Underneath the coat of arms are the Latin words ‘dieu and mon droit’ which translates to ‘God and my right’.
2. Queen Camilla’s coat of arms
Queen Camilla’s coat of arms sits at the top right corner of the coronation invitation and features a boar, from her father’s coat of arms
In the top right hand corner of the invitation is Queen Camilla’s coat of arms, which was granted to her in 2015.
At the time, insiders at Clarence House said the decision to have a separate coat of arms for Camilla followed efforts by the Royals to ensure that she is not seen as a ‘replacement’ to Diana.
The central shield on Camilla’s crest is flanked by the ‘Royal lion supporter’ from the Prince’s arms on the left, while on the right is a boar taken from Camilla’s father, Major Shand’s arms.
3. The Green Man
The Green Man, a pagan symbol for rebirth, is printed at the bottom of the invitation in the centre of the page
The Green Man is one of many features on the coronation invitation that signals a new dawn.
It stems from ancient English folklore and represents rebirth and regeneration, and the cycle of life that begins every spring.
The Green Man may also be a nod to the coronation location of Westminster Abbey, which also features a carving of the symbol on top of the quire screen facade within the building.
According to a tweet posted on the Westminster Abbey Twitter account, the Green Man is often considered a pagan symbol, but carvings can be found in Christian churches across Europe.
4. Flowers of the UK
The borders of the invitation show the national flowers from around the UK including the shamrock for Ireland and daffodil for Wales (pictured)
The borders of the invitation are filled with flowers and thorns that each have special meanings – particularly the flowers of the nations in the UK.
Included in the borders are the daffodil for Wales, the thistle for Scotland, the shamrock for Ireland and the rose for England, in a nod to the fact that the King will be a monarch for all four nations.
The Tudor rose in itself is symbolic of unity after conflict, as it was designed when the warring houses of York and Lancaster found peace and merged.
5. A robin and a wren
The robin and the wren, which sit on the golden ‘C’ at the top of the invitation in the centre, are symbols of rebirth and immortality
The robin and the wren, which sit on the golden ‘C’ on the top of the invitation in the middle of the page, are further symbols of rebirth, but they also could be considered a tribute to lost loved ones.
Typically the wren symbolises rebirth, immortality and protection. Following Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, the wren could be considered a nod to King Charles’s beloved mother, whose legacy lives on.
Similarly the robin is often considered a sign that those who have passed away are still with us, serving a ‘messenger’ function.
In addition the robin on the invitation could also be a sign of optimism for the future, with the bird also known as a symbol for happiness.
6. Bluebells
Along the right-hand border of the invitation is a sprig of bluebells which symbolise immortality and everlasting love
In a potential nod to the values King Charles will hold dear during his reign, the bluebells in the border around the invitation are symbolic of humility and everlasting love.
The symbolism touches upon values mentioned by King Charles in his first address to the nation when he ascended the throne, which was filmed at Buckingham Palace.
He said: ‘And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.
‘My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.’
7. Two forget-me-nots
There are two forget-me-not flowers around the border of the invitation. Typically, the little blue flower is a signal you are commemorating a lost loved one. The presence of two of the flowers on the invitation might be a nod to King Charles late mother and father, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
Sprigs of forget-me-nots can be seen all around the border of the invitation, and are a common symbol of remembrance.
Typically, it is considered a thoughtful gesture to present another person with forget-me-nots as a gift, as it is a signal you are keeping that person in your thoughts.
The little blue flowers are often considered a tribute to loved ones lost – and may well be a nod to King Charles’s beloved late mother, Queen Elizabeth.
Notably, there are two of the little blue flowers on the invitation on each side of the border.
It could be considered that each flower symbolises each of King Charles’s late parents – The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The general meaning that forget-me-nots signal how you are keeping someone in your thoughts suggests the King will be carrying his late parents with him throughout his reign.
8. Stamp of the Duke of Norfolk
The Duke of Norfolk’s stamp features in the bottom right hand quadrant of the invitation to the King’s coronation
One of the more functional, but just as important features, on the coronation invitation is the Duke of Norfolk’s stamp in the bottom right quadrant.
The current Duke of Norfolk is Earl Marshal, Edward Fitzalan-Howard. He inherited the role, which has been a hereditary title since 1672, in 2002.
The Duke of Norfolk is in charge of organising the coronation at Wesminster Abbey.
Following the Queen’s death, he also organised her funeral.
9. Strawberries
The strawberries in the invitation, which feature in the border at the top, is a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth
In perhaps the most touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth, her favourite fruit is featured right at the top of the invitation.
Her late Majesty was known for her love of strawberries – and strawberry jam in particular.
While the inclusion of the summer fruit makes a nod to the theme of spring, its deeper meaning is likely to be a nod to King Charles’s beloved mother.
The late Queen Elizabeth was known for enjoying afternoon tea every day, at which point she would sit down to eat jam penny sandwiches, which were cut into rounds.
Every day without fail, the sandwiches were filled with strawberry jam.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady once revealed that the Queen’s afternoon tradition was something she continued for more than 90 years and it harked back to her childhood.
10. Wild animals
The lion, which is one of the three wild animals featured on the invitation, has historically been known as the symbol for England
Across the invitation there are three wild animals which all have particular significance.
The lion, which is typically known as the animal for England, features both on the royal coats of arms and separately throughout the invitation.
As well as being the historic animal for England, the lion also represents courage – another value the King may hold dear during his reign.
The boar is also featured on the invitation, both on Queen Camilla’s crest and separately.
The inclusion of the boar, which originates from Camilla’s father Major Bruce Shand’s coat of arms, is a touching tribute to her, and signals unity as she and King Charles are crowned.
The unicorn, which also features on King Charles’s coat of arms, has historically been known as the animal symbol for Scotland.
11. Bumble bee, butterfly, ladybird
The butterfly (pictured) the bumble bee and the lady bird on the invitation could symbolise rebirth and evolution
The significance of the three insects featured on the invitation are yet another nod to the theme of rebirth and a new dawn.
In particular, the blue butterfly is a symbol for regeneration – perhaps nodding to the fact the royal family has entered a new age and will be somehow different.
The bumble bee is known as a symbol for communication, abundance and fruitfulness, which could also be a nod to the values King Charles holds dear during his reign.
The ladybird may be considered a symbol of optimism, as the insect is often associated with good fortune. Additionally, it is known to symbolise evolution – in what could be another suggestion King Charles’s monarchy may break from tradition in some ways.
12. Acorn
The acorns at the bottom of the page could be a sweet nod to the Princess of Wales, whose coat of arms reflects oak
Another potential nod to a new beginning and growth is the acorn which sits at the bottom of the invitation next to the Green Man.
The acorn, a seed, is a symbol of unlimited growth and potential, in what could be determined as another suggestion of optimism for the future.
However, even more interesting is the link between the acorn and the Princess of Wales.
Before she married into the royal family, Kate Middleton was granted her own coat of arms (just like Camilla in 2005) and it was designed to nod to her upbringing.
The coat of arms features acorns and oak leaves, from oak trees which are abundant in her home county of Berkshire.
According to the Buckingham Palace website: ‘The three acorns represent Mr. and Mrs. Middleton’s three children.’
It adds: ‘Oak is a long-established symbol of both ‘England’ and ‘Strength.’
13. Lily of the valley
The late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite flower, the lily of the valley, features in the left hand side of the invitation
In another tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth, her favourite flower is featured on the coronation invitation.
The little white pearls of the lily of the valley flower are featured along the borders in another nod to King Charles’s beloved mother.
And harking back to 1953, the lily of the valley was also featured in Queen Elizabeth’s coronation bouquet when she was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Throughout the Queen’s reign, the flower was often included in displays around Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.
The flower holds special meaning for other members of the royal family too, with the Princess of Wales carrying the flower in her wedding bouquet when she married Prince William in 2011.
14. Golden ‘C’
The golden ‘C’ in the middle of the page is the first initial of both King Charles and Queen Camilla
The golden ‘C’ at the front and centre of the invitation in the top border could be a touching symbol of unity.
The letter ‘C’ is the first initial of both King Charles and Queen Camilla, but the use of one initial rather than two could be considered a symbol that the couple plan to reign on a more equal footing and will show unity.
The inclusion of the boar, which is representative of Camilla’s family, is another suggestion that she and her husband are unified in their reign.
15. Groups of 3
Many of the symbolic flowers on the invitation such as the bluebells (pictured) appear in groups of three
King Charles is the third monarch with his name to ascend the throne, which is reflected throughout the invitation.
In more than one instance, the symbolic flowers on the invitation appear in groups of three, which could be considered a nod to his full title as King Charles III.
King Charles I reigned from 1625 to 1949. King Charles II reigned from 1660 to 1685.
16. Rosemary
The sprig of rosemary harks back to the Queen’s funeral, where the wreath on top of her coffin contained the remembrance plant
There is one feature on the left-hand border of the invitation which signals how the late Queen Elizabeth is commemorated in death, as well as in life.
While the other nods to Her late Majesty nod to her love of strawberry jam sandwiches and lily of the valley, things that she enjoyed during her life, a sprig of rosemary makes reference to her death.
At the Queen’s funeral, the wreath upon her coffin from King Charles, which was made sustainably, contained several flowers including a sprig of rosemary, which signals remembrance.
Written on the wreath were the words: ‘In loving and devoted memory’, written by King Charles.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk