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The Jewish baroness carrying the Imperial Mantle for the King
A former chief executive of the Board of Deputies will present a floor-length cloak during the coronation
May 4, 2023 11:21
A former chief executive of the Board of Deputies will present a floor-length cloak during the coronation
May 4, 2023 11:21Baroness Merron of Lincoln — the former chief executive of the Board of Deputies — will present a floor-length cloak called the Imperial Mantle, or Robe Royal, during the coronation of King Charles, describing it as “an honour beyond anything I could have imagined”.
Lady Merron, the former Labour MP for Lincoln, has been asked to present the ceremonial cloak, which was made for George IV in 1821.
Baroness Merron of Lincoln
The 3kg mantle, which fastens across the chest with a golden eagle clasp, is supposed to symbolise the divine nature of kingship. It is made of cloth of gold and is embellished with motifs including fleur-de-lis, imperial eagles and the national emblems — red-pink roses, blue thistles and green shamrocks.
It has been worn by previous monarchs during their coronations, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The baroness will present the cloak as a representative of the Jewish community, accompanied by Hindu crossbench peer Lord Patel, who will carry the sovereign’s ring; Lord Kamall, a London-born Muslim, who will carry the armills — a pair of bracelets — and Lord Singh, a Sikh crossbench peer, who will carry the coronation glove. Lady Merron will hand over the robe to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who, with Prince William, will place it over the King’s shoulders.
The coronation ceremony has been rewritten, to include representatives of different faiths, in keeping with Charles III’s pledge that he wants to be seen as “defender of faiths” in the diverse society of Britain today.
The Imperial Mantle (Getty Images)
