Westminster Abbey

• In the months before King Charles III was crowned on May 6 2023, Westminster Abbey announced that the public would be able to see its fabled Cosmati pavement up close – in their socks.
• The 13th-century mosaic floor had been covered up by thick carpets to protect it for as long as anyone alive could remember.
• The Cosmati pavement, of course, played a stellar role during the coronation ceremony.

Intricate patterns

• You explore the complex, bewildering patterning with your feet as well as with your eyes.
• These stonework patterns are what make the pavement the most fabulous thing.
• This floor, when first laid, would have shimmered and moved, almost like a silk carpet (but not as soft).
• None of the patterns are quite the same: there is surprisingly little uniformity.

Centuries of wear

• There have been various interventions and restorations, most notably by Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1859 and 1871.
• The pavement around the high altar is Scott’s work (and design).
• The central rectangle of the eastern border is also Scott’s work.
• It is good and thoughtful restoration, with considerable effort taken to match the stones.
• As Simeone points out, however, Scott cut the stones too thinly and so they will work loose.

• Ongoing scandals and waning support from a younger generation suggest an outdated institution with little relevance to the modern era.
• Enshrined in pomp and pageantry, the coronation weekend is a golden opportunity for the monarchy to demonstrate its ongoing value to the British public.
• The three days of the coronation weekend, May 6-8, will be filled with activities that could strengthen the monarchy’s image and brand.
• This piece is part of our coverage of King Charles III’s coronation.

Saturday: pageantry

• But perhaps the most abiding feelings generated at this point will be the sense of stability and continuity that such traditional pageants symbolise.
• Heritage is the royal family’s key asset, and King Charles III’s coronation is another significant link in its 1,000-plus year history.
• Read more:
  Platinum jubilee: how Britain's children captured the Queen's coronation in scrapbooks 70 years ago

Sunday: play

• This now-traditional part of British culture dates back to 1919, when “Peace Teas” were served to mark the end of the first world war.
• Street parties have since become a crucial component of royal events.
• The official coronation website encourages people to join in the Coronation Big Lunch, offering downloadable materials to aid planning and inspire creativity.
• The coronation choir that will also perform at the concert is an excellent example of this.

Monday: public service

• With this, the king will show off his dedication to public service.
• The effort should appeal to Generation Z who are most disaffected with the monarchy and see it as an outmoded institution.

• And as the coronation of King Charles III reminds us, the crown is also a superlative brand.
• Though images of crowns are often used in royal branding, it is rare for monarchs these days to actually wear crowns.
• In the UK the crown encompasses both the monarch and the government, namely King Charles III and His Majesty’s government.
• Still, they all use a crown as the marque (or embelem) to represent themselves – see Luxembourg and Denmark’s coats of arms.

Crowns of the coronation

• The coronation of King Charles III will be a veritable festival of crowns, featuring seven crowns in total.
• The last queen consort to undergo a coronation was in 1937.
• Four other crowns will be present during the coronation, worn by the kings of arms – senior officers who regulate heraldry (coats of arms) in the UK and participate in major ceremonial occasions.

Crown brands in business

• The Danish royal warrant entitles an organisation to display “an image of the crown along with the company’s name on signs”.
• Of course, while some brands have an official royal endorsement, most organisations with a crown name or logo do not have a direct association with monarchy.
• Sometimes the crown brand name is used for its cultural associations – see the many British pubs called “The Crown”.
• Among the companies using a crown name are Couronne (Korean handbags), Crown Bank (USA), Crown Class (Royal Jordanian Airways), Royal Crown Derby (English porcelain), Crowne Plaza Hotels (UK), Crown Royal (Canadian Whiskey), Crown Worldwide Distribution Group (Hong Kong) and Krone (South African sparkling wine).

• The new, crowned coin effigy has been created specifically for the Coronation, ahead of the historic event on May 6th and will feature on the commemorative range produced by The Royal Mint to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
• The new, highly collectable 50p featuring the iconic Westminster Abbey has been designed by Royal Mint designer Natasha Jenkins.
• Rebecca continues: "The Royal Mint has struck the coins of the monarchy since the times of Alfred the Great.
• The Royal Mint has played a role in coronations for years, traditionally producing coins and medals for previous monarchs.