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  • About / History / Coronations at the Abbey / Queens Consort of Westminster Abbey
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  1. Home
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The Coronation

To prepare for the Coronation of The King and Queen Consort we will be closed to visitors and worshippers from 25th April and will re-open on Monday 8th May. Services will take place in St Margaret's Church until Tuesday 2nd May.

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Queens Consort at Westminster Abbey

Twenty-eight queens consort have been crowned in the Abbey over the last thousand years and each has their own fascinating history.

Find out more about the queens consort as we explore the lives of these remarkable women.

What is a Queen Consort?



A queen consort is the wife of the reigning king and usually holds the feminine equivalent of her husband’s royal titles. By contrast, a queen regnant is a female monarch who rules in her own right, such as Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth II.

The first queen consort crowned in the Abbey was Matilda, the wife of William the Conqueror, whose coronation was held in 1068. Since then, a further twenty-seven queens consort have had coronations here, although some consorts never had a coronation.

When HM The King is crowned on 6 May 2023, HM The Queen Consort will be crowned with him. The Queen Consort supports her husband in carrying out his work and duties and also undertakes public engagements on behalf of the charities she supports.

9 minute read

1. Matilda (wife of William I)

Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror. Her husband was crowned here on Christmas Day 1066 and her coronation followed in May 1068. The service asserted that she was divinely placed by God, shared in royal power, and blessed her people by her power and virtue.

 

1. Matilda Of Flanders

Matilda of Flanders by H.B.

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

1. Matilda Of Flanders

Matilda of Flanders by H.B.

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

2. Edith

Edith married Henry I in the Abbey on 11 November 1100 and was crowned queen at the end of the ceremony, taking the regnal name Matilda. She often acted as regent of England during her husband's frequent absences for military campaigns in France.

  • About Matilda
2.Matilda Of Scotland

Matilda (Edith, Mold, Matilda of Scotland) after unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

2.Matilda Of Scotland

Matilda (Edith, Mold, Matilda of Scotland) after unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

3. Adeliza

Following Matilda's death, Henry I married Adeliza of Louvain in January 1121 and she was crowned a week later. Adeliza was a great patron of the arts and literature and supported the rise of French poetry in the English court.

3. Queen Adeliza (1)

Adeliza of Louvain (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

3. Queen Adeliza (1)

Adeliza of Louvain (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

4. Matilda (wife of Stephen)

A countess in her own right, Matilda of Boulogne was crowned queen of England on 22 March 1136. She had been pregnant when her husband, King Stephen, was crowned the previous December and joined him in England for her own coronation after giving birth to their son William.

Matilda Of Boulogne

Matilda of Boulogne, Queen of England (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Matilda Of Boulogne

Matilda of Boulogne, Queen of England (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

5. Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages. She inherited vast estates and became queen of France when she married Louis VII in 1137. She was later crowned queen of England in the Abbey alongside her second husband, Henry II, in December 1154.

Church Of Fontevraud Abbey Eleanor Of Aquitaine Effigy Detail

© Adam Bishop [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Church Of Fontevraud Abbey Eleanor Of Aquitaine Effigy Detail

© Adam Bishop [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

6. Isabella of Angoulême

A granddaughter of Louis VI, Isabella of Angoulême married King John when she was around 12 years old. She was crowned in the Abbey two months after her marriage, on 8 October 1200. She was mother to the future Henry III, and after John's death married Hugh X of Lusignan.

6. Isabella Of Angoulême (B&W)

Isabella of Angoulême (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

6. Isabella Of Angoulême (B&W)

Isabella of Angoulême (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

7. Eleanor of Provence

Eleanor of Provence was a French noblewoman who married Henry III in Canterbury Cathedral in 1236. They had never met before the wedding. After the ceremony, they travelled to the Abbey for Eleanor's coronation. She acted as regent while Henry was abroad in 1253.

7. Eleanor Of Provence

Queen Eleanor and King Henry III by Unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

7. Eleanor Of Provence

Queen Eleanor and King Henry III by Unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

8. Eleanor of Castile

Eleanor of Castile and Edward I were crowned in the Abbey on 19 August 1274, twenty years after they married. They were devoted to each other and after her death, Edward erected twelve memorial crosses along the route of Eleanor’s funeral procession to the Abbey.

  • About Eleanor of Castile and Edward I
A gold tomb featuring the effigy of Eleanor of Castile. She is wearing a crown and has her hand placed on her chest

Eleanor of Castile tomb effigy

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

A gold tomb featuring the effigy of Eleanor of Castile. She is wearing a crown and has her hand placed on her chest

Eleanor of Castile tomb effigy

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

9. Isabella of France

Isabella of France was a powerful and divisive figure in 14th-century England. After years of in-fighting, she deposed her husband, Edward II, in favour of their son, Edward III. She acted as regent on his behalf before he forcibly took the throne for himself in 1330.

A black and white portrait of Isabella of France - she is wearing a black dress and a white head cover

Isabella of France by Unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

A black and white portrait of Isabella of France - she is wearing a black dress and a white head cover

Isabella of France by Unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

10. Philippa of Hainault

Philippa of Hainault was the queen of Edward III and one of his closest political advisors throughout their forty-year marriage. She was crowned in 1330 and acted as regent while the king was away at the Hundred Years' War. She was a popular figure known for her compassion.

  • About Philippa of Hainault and Edward III
Phillipa Hainault

Philippa of Hainault tomb effigy

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Phillipa Hainault

Philippa of Hainault tomb effigy

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

11. Anne of Bohemia

Richard II was devoted to his wife, Anne of Bohemia, and she was crowned in the Abbey two days after their wedding here in January 1382. The Liber Regalis - an illuminated manuscript with instructions for the coronation service - is thought to have been written for her coronation.

  • About Anne of Bohemia and Richard II
liber-regalis-king-being-crowned.jpg

The Liber Regalis

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

liber-regalis-king-being-crowned.jpg

The Liber Regalis

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

12. Isabelle of France

After Anne's death, Richard married Isabelle of France. This was a political union, arranged when she was just seven, to ensure peace between their two countries. After Richard was deposed and died, Isabelle married the Duke of Orleans before dying in childbirth at the age of 19.

Isabela Richard2

Isabella of France (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Isabela Richard2

Isabella of France (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

13. Joan of Navarre

Joan of Navarre was crowned queen of England after her marriage to Henry IV in 1403. A wealthy widow of noble descent, she was an unpopular figure in the English court. After the king's death she was imprisoned for three years by her stepson, Henry V, accused of sorcery.

Reina Juana De Navarra Esposa De Felipe IV

Joan of Navarre

Wikipedia Creative Commons CC BY 4.0]

Reina Juana De Navarra Esposa De Felipe IV

Joan of Navarre

Wikipedia Creative Commons CC BY 4.0]

14. Catherine de Valois

French princess Catherine de Valois married Henry V in 1420, a union made in the hope of securing peace between England and France. She died in 1437 and was buried in the Abbey. Her wooden funeral effigy survives and is on display in our museum.

  • About Catherine de Valois and Henry V
Wooden effigy of Catherine de Valois, in red dress, right arm and left hand missing

Catherine de Valois funeral effigy

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Wooden effigy of Catherine de Valois, in red dress, right arm and left hand missing

Catherine de Valois funeral effigy

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

15. Margaret of Anjou

Margaret of Anjou married Henry VI in 1445. She was a leading figure on the Lancastrian side in the Wars of the Roses, known for her courage and ambition. After defeat by the Yorkist Edward IV in 1471 and the deaths of her husband and son, she returned to France, dying in poverty

Maragret Anjou

Queen Margaret of Anjou
by John Faber Sr, after Unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Maragret Anjou

Queen Margaret of Anjou
by John Faber Sr, after Unknown artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

16. Elizabeth Woodville

Elizabeth Woodville married Edward IV secretly in 1464. During the Wars of the Roses, she twice took sanctuary at the Abbey with her children, giving birth to the future Edward V here. Edward would later join his brother, Richard, Duke of York, as one of the Princes in the Tower.

  • About Elizabeth Woodville
Woodville, Elizabeth 300

Elizabeth Woodville portrait

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Woodville, Elizabeth 300

Elizabeth Woodville portrait

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

17. Anne Neville

Anne Neville was crowned in the Abbey with her husband, Richard III, in July 1483 - the first joint coronation for 175 years. The couple walked barefoot on a ribbon of red cloth from Westminster Hall to the Abbey for the service. She died in 1485 and was buried in the Abbey.

  • About Anne Neville
Engraving of Anne Neville, wife of Richard III, wearing a crown and holding a sceptre

Anne Neville, Queen of England by Edward Harding Jr

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Engraving of Anne Neville, wife of Richard III, wearing a crown and holding a sceptre

Anne Neville, Queen of England by Edward Harding Jr

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

18. Elizabeth of York

Elizabeth of York married Henry VII in 1483, uniting the Houses of Lancaster and York and bringing the Wars of the Roses to an end. Despite the marriage being a political arrangement, they came to be devoted to each other and are buried together in the Abbey's Lady Chapel.

  • About Elizabeth of York and Henry VII
Elizabeth York Tomb

Elizabeth of York and Henry VII tomb effigies

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Elizabeth York Tomb

Elizabeth of York and Henry VII tomb effigies

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

19. Katherine of Aragon

On 11 June 1509, Henry VIII married his widowed sister-in-law Katherine of Aragon and they were crowned later than month. After their famous divorce he married Anne Boleyn (beheaded), Jane Seymour (died), Anne of Cleves, (divorced), Catherine Howard (beheaded), and Catherine Parr, who survived her husband

Katherine Of Aragon Window St Margarets

Katherine of Aragon window in St Margaret's Church

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Katherine Of Aragon Window St Margarets

Katherine of Aragon window in St Margaret's Church

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

20. Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn is the only other of Henry VIII's six wives to have had a coronation, and is the only queen consort crowned with St Edward's crown. Henry had Anne investigated for treason and she was executed in 1536 when her daughter, the future Elizabeth I, was two years old.

  • About Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn by Unknown English artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn by Unknown English artist

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

21. Anne of Denmark

Anne of Denmark was crowned with her husband, James VI and I, in July 1603, uniting the kingdoms of Scotland and England. She was a shrewd politician and a great patron of the arts, commissioning architect Inigo Jones to build the Queen's House at Greenwich.

  • About Anne of Denmark and James I
Anne Of Denmark

Anne of Denmark by John De Critz the Elder

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Anne Of Denmark

Anne of Denmark by John De Critz the Elder

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

22. Mary of Modena

The Coronation of James II and Mary of Modena was held in April 1685. A cultured figure, Mary was a lover of literature and a keen rider. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, Mary, James and their son fled to exile in France and she became known as 'the queen over the water'.

Mary Of Modena

Mary of Modena by Willem Wissing

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Mary Of Modena

Mary of Modena by Willem Wissing

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

23. Caroline of Ansbach

As the wife of George II, Caroline of Ansbach was queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Electress of Hanover. She was politically influential, and acted as regent four times while her husband was in Hanover. The king was devoted to her and never remarried after her death.

  • About Caroline of Ansbach and George II
Caroline Of Ansbach

Caroline of Ansbach (1683–1737), Consort of George II of Great Britain and Ireland

Public domain via The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Caroline Of Ansbach

Caroline of Ansbach (1683–1737), Consort of George II of Great Britain and Ireland

Public domain via The Metropolitan Museum of Art

24. Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Britain's longest-serving queen consort is Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was the wife of George III and was consort for 70 years. They were crowned in 1761 and had had 15 children. Charlotte was a patron of the arts and a keen botanist who helped to expand Kew Gardens. 

George III Coronation Ticket (1)

George III coronation ticket

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

George III Coronation Ticket (1)

George III coronation ticket

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

25. Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen

William IV and Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen were crowned together in the Abbey in 1831. They had no surviving children but were fond of their niece, the future Queen Victoria. The Australian city of Adelaide, founded during William's reign, was named after her.

Queen Adelaide Princess Adelaide Of Saxe Meiningen

Queen Adelaide (Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen) reduced version of a work by Sir William Beechey

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Queen Adelaide Princess Adelaide Of Saxe Meiningen

Queen Adelaide (Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen) reduced version of a work by Sir William Beechey

© National Portrait Gallery, London [Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

26. Alexandra of Denmark

Alexandra of Denmark married Edward VII in 1863. They were crowned together in the Abbey in 1902 after he ascended the throne on the death of his mother, Queen Victoria. She loved fashion and was an accomplished photographer. She had six children, including the future George V.

  • About Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra Coronationhr

Alexandra of Denmark, queen of the United Kingdom

WikicommonsCreative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Alexandra Coronationhr

Alexandra of Denmark, queen of the United Kingdom

WikicommonsCreative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

27. Mary of Teck

Mary of Teck and George V were married in London in 1893. Mary supported her husband throughout the First World War and was present in the Abbey for the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in 1920. She lived until 1953, seeing her granddaughter, Elizabeth II, ascend the throne.

 

George V Cor 1911 Invitation 300 (1)

George V coronation invitation

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

George V Cor 1911 Invitation 300 (1)

George V coronation invitation

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

28. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the future George VI in the Abbey in 1923. She became queen consort following the abdication of Edward VIII, making her husband king, and they were crowned together in 1937.

  • About Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Bowes Maundy

George VI and Queen Elizabeth attend Westminster Abbey's Maundy service, 1946

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Elizabeth Bowes Maundy

George VI and Queen Elizabeth attend Westminster Abbey's Maundy service, 1946

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

At different times of the day, or in different seasons, the light falling in the Abbey will light up something that you have walked past a million times and never seen before.

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Westminster Abbey
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