Britain's Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in February 1952, but her coronation ceremony was held more than a year later.
The traditional wait allows time to mourn the previous sovereign — and to plan the ceremony.
The Queen died in September at the age of 96. The coronation of her son King Charles III will take place on Saturday, May 6.
![People slept along the procession route on the night before the Queen's coronation.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426133303-10-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
People slept along the procession route on the night before the Queen's coronation.
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![Crowds watch as the procession passes through Parliament Square in London.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426134025-11-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Crowds watch as the procession passes through Parliament Square in London.
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![The Queen's son Prince Charles, accompanied by a nurse, arrives at Westminster Abbey.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150821150007-09-queen-coronation-0821-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
The Queen's son Prince Charles, accompanied by a nurse, arrives at Westminster Abbey.
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![Well-wishers line the procession route in London.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426132407-09-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Well-wishers line the procession route in London.
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![The Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey with her six maids of honor.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426131644-01-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
The Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey with her six maids of honor.
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![Prince Charles watches his mother's coronation. On the left is his grandmother, the Queen Mother. At right is his aunt, Princess Margaret.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426132332-08-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Prince Charles watches his mother's coronation. On the left is his grandmother, the Queen Mother. At right is his aunt, Princess Margaret.
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![Children race at a coronation party in London's East End.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426135305-14-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Children race at a coronation party in London's East End.
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![The Queen holds her symbols of office after the ceremony.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426131758-02-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
The Queen holds her symbols of office after the ceremony.
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![The Queen's carriage passes by the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426131829-03-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
The Queen's carriage passes by the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
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![The Queen and Prince Philip wave to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426134510-12-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
The Queen and Prince Philip wave to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation.
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![A crowd outside Buckingham Palace cheers for the royal family.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426132022-04-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A crowd outside Buckingham Palace cheers for the royal family.
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![Londoners hold a street party to celebrate the coronation.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150821145953-02-queen-coronation-0821-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Londoners hold a street party to celebrate the coronation.
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![Members of the royal family pose for a photo in the throne room of Buckingham Palace.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150821162355-10-queen-coronation-0821-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Members of the royal family pose for a photo in the throne room of Buckingham Palace.
Keystone/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
![People celebrate the coronation from the Mall, which was specially lit for the occasion.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426132247-07-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
People celebrate the coronation from the Mall, which was specially lit for the occasion.
Hulton Deutsch/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
![People dance at a street coronation party.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426135442-15-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
People dance at a street coronation party.
Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images
![The Queen after her coronation.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230426132156-06-queen-elizabeth-coronation-gallery.jpg?q=w_888,c_fill)
The Queen after her coronation.
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