Historical photos of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

On February 6, 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI, Elizabeth II was proclaimed queen by her various privy and executive councils. Her coronation ceremony, however, did not take place until more than a year later, on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey in London. Elizabeth II swore an oath to uphold the law and govern the Church of England. Pictured are the Grenadier Guards, an infantry regiment of the British Army, marching from Westminster Abbey during a rehearsal for the coronation.PA Images / Getty Images

Before the big day, on May 26, 1953, officers had to form a police cordon to control the numerous onlookers who did not want to miss even the rehearsals for the coronation.William Vanderson (Getty Images)

The head of the procession in honor of Queen Elizabeth, which included representation from all five regiments of Foot Guards: the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards.Mirrorpix (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh inside the Gold State Coach, an eight-horse carriage used at the coronation of every British monarch since George IV.David Levenson (© David Levenson Collection/Get)

A group of cleaners sweeping the steps leading up to the annexe opposite the west entrance of Westminster Abbey before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. The annexe is used as a space to host processions before the coronation.Ronald Startup (Getty Images)

Thousands of people filled the streets of London to watch the parade of British Army soldiers preceding the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth.Topham/Cordon Press

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the special carriage for the coronation, bound for Westminster Abbey, where the official ceremony took place. The coronation lasted about four hours, and for the first time in history was broadcast in its entirety on television. Norman Potter (Getty Images)

Sir Winston and Lady Clementine Churchill travel in procession past Hyde Park Corner, London, on their way to Westminster Abbey to attend the coronation of Elizabeth II.Getty Images

A historic image taken from Big Ben, as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive in the State Coach at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation ceremony. PA Images / Getty Images

The second carriage of The Carriage Procession of Princes and Princesses of the Blood Royal carrying Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent and His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, passes through Trafalgar Square as they make their way to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.Mirrorpix (Getty Images)

Peers and peeresses in their robes enter Westminster Abbey to take their places for the Coronation ceremony. Scouts seen on the pavement are there to open car doors. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

The Queen and Prince Philip as they enter Westminster for the Coronation ceremony. The abbey has been the site of British coronations since William the Conquerer was crowned in 1066.Ronald Startup (Getty) (Getty Images)

Elizabeth II, accompanied by her six Maids of Honor, a group of young ladies from high-ranking families, at the entrance to Westminster Abbey. Mirrorpix (Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II amongst dignitaries and ladies-in-waiting during her Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London. Fox Photos (Getty Images)

New Yorkers watching the coronation of Queen Elizabeth on a display television. An estimated 27 million people watched the ceremony.Bettmann Archive / getty

Eyes of the World's representatives follow Queen Elizabeth II's progress through Westminster Abbey as she arrives for her coronation. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh kneeling side by side in front of the Altar for the Communion in Westminster Abbey after the Crowning and Homage Ceremonies. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

Prince Charles with his Aunt, Princess Margaret (r) and his Grandmother, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, at the 1953 coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Hulton Deutsch (Corbis via Getty Images)

The ceremony was presided over by Archbishop of Canterbury Geoffrey Fisher, who held the office from 1945 to 1961.Fox Photos (Getty Images)

The coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 was deeply religious and provided a moral boost in the harsh post-war years, as millions of people around the world celebrated the historic day.PA / Cordon Press

Elizabeth II just after being crowned at Westminster Abbey. The queen holds in her hands the sovereign's orb and the royal scepter.Hulton Archive (Getty Images)

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, pays tribute to his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, after her coronation. At every step of the ceremony, the same words echoed through the cathedral: "God save Queen Elizabeth!" and "Long live Queen Elizabeth!"Fox Photos (Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Edward and Wallis Simpson) watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on the television screen at the Paris home of Mrs. Margaret Biddle (right), the American millionairess. Prince Edward renounced the throne because of their love affair.PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

Elizabeth II was the first woman to reign over the British Empire since Queen Victoria. In the photo, Elizabeth II is seen wearing the bejeweled Imperial Crown and carrying the Orb and Scepter with Cross. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II, as she prepares to enter her State Coach at Westminster Abbey and return to Buckingham Palace after the Coronation ceremony. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

HM Queen Elizabeth II with her maids of honor at the Green Drawing Room in Buckingham Palace. In selecting six Maids of Honor instead of pages to bear her velvet train throughout the Coronation ceremony, the Queen followed the precedent of Queen Victoria. The Maids of Honor were Lady Moyra Hamilton (now Lady Moyra Campbell), Lady Anne Coke (now The Rt Hon The Lady Glenconner), Lady Rosemary Spencer-Churchill (now Lady Rosemary Muir), Lady Mary Baillie-Hamilton (now Lady Mary Russell), Lady Jane Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby (now The Rt Hon The Baroness Willoughby de Eresby) and Lady Jane Vane-Tempest-Stewart (now The Rt Hon The Lady Rayne). Print Collector (Getty Images)

A group of peers hurrying from Westminster Abbey through the rain after the Coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II. Fox Photos (Getty Images)

Elizabeth II's carriage rides through the streets of London in front of thousands of cheering citizens after her coronation.ullstein bild / Getty

'A' Battery of the Honourable Artillery Company, wearing their ceremonial uniforms, fire a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London in celebration of the Queen's coronation. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

June 2, 1953 was a rainy day in London. Covers were set up around Westminster Abbey so that the illustrious guests at the ceremony would not get wet.Mirrorpix / Getty Images

Elizabeth II preparing for her return to Buckingham Palace after the Coronation ceremony at Westminster. Back at the palace, two coronation banquets were held, with guests including family members, royals, and British and foreign dignitaries.Monty Fresco (Getty Images)

Striking view looking down on the Mall from Trafalgar Square as troops march in the Coronation procession on the return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. PA Images / getty (PA Images via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II gives a wide smile for the crowd from her carriage as she leaves Westminster Abbey, London after her coronation. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

The Coronation procession on the return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. The State Coach passes Sir Winston Churchill's coach, which had to fall out altogether and was held up outside Canada House. PA Images / Getty Images

The four-ton royal gold carriage was the centerpiece of the coronation. The carriage is a symbol of the past wealth and glory of the former British Empire. Elizabeth II used it for the last time last summer during the Platinum Jubilee.Bettmann (Bettmann Archive)

Crowds in Trafalgar Square in the rain watch as troops march past on the return from Westminster Abbey after the Queen's crowning.PA Images / getty (PA Images via Getty Images)

Vast crowds congregate outside Buckingham Palace, awaiting the appearance on the balcony of HM The Queen Elizabeth II and her family following the coronation. Reg Burkett (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial state Crown and carrying the Orb and sceptre, leaving the state coach and entering Buckingham Palace, after the coronation. Hulton Archive (Getty Images)

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, June 1953. The Queen is center, waving. From left to right are Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Philip, and the Queen Mother. Elizabeth's younger sister Margaret is beside her among the ladies on the left. Hulton Deutsch (Corbis via Getty Images)

Although Elizabeth II's coronation was the first to be broadcast on television, there were many who wanted to go out to celebrate her big day. It is estimated that more than three million people waited in the streets of the British capital to celebrate their new queen. PA Images (PA Images via Getty Images)

A smiling Queen Elizabeth poses with her family and members of the royal family in the throne room at Buckingham Palace, after her coronation. In front are the Queen's two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, while behind her is her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. At her right is her sister Princess Margaret, while at her left is the Queen Mother.Bettmann (Bettmann Archive)

Official photo of the coronation of Elizabeth II, in which the monarch wears the crown of St. Edward, the most important and the oldest of those possessed by the British royal family and a historical treasure that is only used for coronations. Charles III is expected to wear the crown on Saturday, May 6, when he will be crowned king.Hulton Deutsch (Corbis via Getty Images)