Following tradition, The King and Queen wear two different sets of robes during the Coronation Service – the Robes of State and the Robes of Estate. Robes of State are worn on arrival at Westminster Abbey and are made of red velvet trimmed in Miniver. It is these robes that Their Majesties wear for the State Opening of Parliament. In preparation for the anointing, The King is divested of his Robes of State and dressed in the Colobium Sindonis, a traditional sleeveless linen tunic similar to the white robes we see clergy wearing today. It symbolises purity and simplicity as The King stands humbly, anointed under God, ready to begin a new dedicated life of service.
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