Collections: Royalty

Edward VIII

The king who chose love over the crown.

Princess Elizabeth

The woman who would be queen.

The Duke of Edinburgh

Consort, conservationist and champion of the young.

London on the day before the Coronation, 1953

Newsreel reporter Berkeley Smith drives along the Coronation route

The Coronation - London prepares, 1953

The stage was set for one of the most momentous days of the 20th century

Coronation Day waiting, 1953

Thousands sleep out overnight in London to get the best view of the new Queen

Crowd thrilled by Coronation, 1953

BBC television cameras capture the excitement along the new Queen's processional route

Queen opens terminal buildings, 1955

"London Airport has become the modern meeting place"

More archive things

Around the UK

The people, culture and events that tell the story of where you live

Politics

The prime ministers, movers and shakers, key figures and events that shaped our world

War and conflict

Experience life during some of the darkest moments of history