Speaker replicates historic team line-up for Coronation

Just as his predecessors had gathered 70 years ago, Mr Speaker stood for the photo with the Serjeant at Arms carrying the mace, the Speaker’s Chaplain, Speaker’s Secretary, senior Doorkeepers, plus a Major from the Household Cavalry.

Unlike similar photographs taken in 1911, for the Coronation of George V; in 1937 for the Coronation of George VI, and in 1953, for the Coronation of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Lindsay and his team did not travel in the Speaker’s State Coach.

Instead, the Commons Speaker processed the short distance to the Abbey from Parliament on foot – while his coach, which is now a heritage item, is on display in Westminster Hall.

In addition to his traditional court dress, and black and gold Robe of State, Sir Lindsay wore a lace jabot and cuffs - made in Honiton, Devon, for Speaker Bernard Weatherill (Speaker 1983-1992) - to their first ever Coronation.

Photo caption: (left to right) Doorkeepers: Ross Carlin, Wayne Jenkins, Martyn Fitzgibbon, Phil Howse, Serjeant at Arms Ugbana Oyet, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Revd Canon Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Canon of Westminster, Speaker’s Secretary Helen Wood, Speaker’s Assistant Secretary Scott Awad, and Major William Charlesworth, Blues & Royals, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. 

Photograph credit: UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor

Photograph taken in 1937 ahead of George VI

This photo, taken in 1937 ahead of the Coronation of George VI, was signed by House of Commons Speaker Edward Fitzroy, his Chaplain Alan Don, the Serjeant Charles Howard, Speaker’s Secretary Ralph Verney and the Trainbearer. The group made their way to Westminster Abbey in the Speaker’s State Coach, with the Trainbearer seated on a stool in the centre of the coach.

Credit: Parliamentary Archives

Coronation