Coronation Anointing at Westminster Abbey: Meaning and Objects

The crown is public; the anointing is intimate—kingship begins in mystery.

What Happens and Why It’s Hidden

• The sovereign is anointed with holy oil as a sign of consecration.
• Since at least the Middle Ages, privacy has veiled this moment from the crowd.
• In 2023, a purpose‑built screen surrounded the sovereign to preserve the sacred focus.

The Ampulla and Spoon

• The golden ampulla (eagle‑shaped vessel) pours oil into a medieval silver‑gilt spoon.
• The spoon—one of the few regalia survivors of the 17th century—bears deep historical continuity.
• Oil composition has varied; recent blends drew on biblical and Levantine traditions.

Theology in Brief

• Echoes of biblical anointings (priests, prophets, and kings).
• Marks a vocation: the sovereign serves God and people.
• Complements—but differs from—crowning, oath, and enthronement.

Where It Happens

• Near the high altar, at the heart of the Abbey’s sacred east end.
• The Cosmati Pavement often frames key moments with symbolic geometry.

Visitor Tips

• Exhibitions sometimes display the anointing screen or interpretive material.
• Listen for references during guided talks; staff highlight this rite’s meaning.

Bottom Line

The anointing is the coronation’s pulse: ancient, unseen, unforgettable.