Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne at the age of 25 on February 6, 1952, after her father, George VI, died.
Her coronation took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on June 2, 1953, which was held more than a year later as it is traditionally expected to allow a certain length of time to pass after a monarch dies before holding coronation festivities.
Millions of British people watched the televised coronation live on the BBC channel and many had even bought television sets specially for the event. It was debated whether the event should be televised, particularly by then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, but Queen Elizabeth II insisted that the event should be broadcasted.
Westminster Abbey was opened at 6am on Coronation Day after being closed for a year due to preparations and there were 8,251 guests, including the royal family, who attended the ceremony. While millions of others stood outside.
Following the devastating news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday, September 8, we have decided to look at pictures from her Coronation Day in 1953.
5. Public wait for Queen Elizabeth II
Some women sleep as they wait on the royal route on the eve of Britain Queen Elizabeth II's coronation on June 1, 1953. Photo: Getty Images
6. Royal family
From left to right: The Queen’s Mother, Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Princess Margaret attend the ceremony of coronation. Photo: Getty Images
7. Queen on the throne
Queen Elizabeth II sits on a throne during her coronation in Westminster Abbey in London. Photo: Central Press Photo Ltd / Getty Images
8. Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth II sits in Westminster Abbey on her coronation day in London. Elizabeth married Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on November 20, 1947, and was proclaimed Queen a year before her coronation. Photo: Getty Images