History of Coronation in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: September 26, 2024

A coronation is the ceremony of crowning a new monarch. It symbolizes the formal investiture of power and may include presenting regalia, taking vows, and receiving homage. In some Christian traditions, it's a religious rite involving anointing with holy oil, drawing from biblical examples. The monarch's spouse might also be crowned.

1963: Last Papal Coronation

The last papal coronation took place in 1963. Since then, popes have opted for simpler inauguration ceremonies.

1978: Papal Inauguration of Pope John Paul I

In 1978, Pope John Paul I chose a papal inauguration instead of a coronation, marking a shift away from traditional coronation ceremonies.

1989: Authorization of Canonical Coronation Decree

Since 1989, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has been authorized to decree canonical coronations.

1990: Publication of "Coronations: Medieval and Early Modern Monarchic Ritual"

The book "Coronations: Medieval and Early Modern Monarchic Ritual," edited by Janos M. Bak, was published in 1990 by University of California Press.

2010: Publication of "Die Kroenung Josephs II. in Frankfurt am Main"

Bernhard A. Macek authored the book "Die Kroenung Josephs II. in Frankfurt am Main. Logistisches Meisterwerk, zeremonielle Glanzleistung und Kulturgueter fuer die Ewigkeit," published by Peter Lang in 2010.

2010: Publication of "Power of rituals and rituals of power"

Dušan Zupka published a chapter titled "Power of rituals and rituals of power: Religious and secular rituals in the political culture of medieval Kingdom of Hungary" in the book "Historiography in Motion" in 2010.