See vintage photos of historic coronations straight from the Nat Geo archives

King Charles’ coronation will be the newest in over a century of Nat Geo coronation coverage.

This 1974 National Geographic cover shows Jigme Singye Wangchuck's coronation as Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.
ByAllie Yang
May 5, 2023
10 min read

Dancers, dignitaries, a brass band fanfare, a velvet robe trimmed in rare furs—and a crown heavy with dazzling jewels. On display is more than the new king: a coronation is an exercise of a country’s power and wealth, as well as a show of the state’s stability.

For the first time in 70 years, the United Kingdom will crown a new monarch, King Charles III. Though today the royal family's power is predominantly ceremonial, the ceremony has remained largely unchanged in the past thousand years.

From Africa to Polynesia, National Geographic has been there to witness the ascension of many rulers dating back to the early 20th century. Here are some of the most memorable photos from our archive.

1. November to December 1911: A new king of Siam (modern day Thailand)

A black and white image of a coronation procession
The coronation of King Vajiravudh, also known as King Rama VI, lasted almost two weeks in 1911. Foreign guests were present for the first time in the country’s history—royalty from Denmark, Great Britain, Sweden, Japan, and Russia all attended.
Photograph by R. Lenz & Co., Nat Geo Image Collection
In a black and white image, the king at a hall above a crow
Officials gather before the new king at Dusit Maha Prasat Hall, part of the Grand Palace. The palace was built for Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty, in 1782.
Photograph by R. Lenz & Co., Nat Geo Image Collection
Golden drums lead the procession following the king to Wat Phra Keo (temple of the Emerald Buddha) after his coronation.
Photograph by R. Lenz & Co., Nat Geo Image Collection
The king arriving at the pavilion on the river front for the water procession.
King Vajiravudh is carried to a riverfront pavilion for the royal barge procession. The ceremony has taken place for centuries, showcasing military and ceremonial boats, some in the shape of mythical creatures and covered in gold and jewels.
Photograph by R. Lenz & Co., Nat Geo Image Collection

2. November 1930: The Atse (emperor of Ethiopia) and his empress

Royals wearing red sit on a throne
Emperor Haile Selassi I and his wife Empress Menen Asfaw, rulers of the bygone Ethiopian Empire, were crowned on November 2, 1930. Crown prince Asfaw Wossen (right), and the second younger son Makonnen pose beside their parents.
Photograph by W. Robert Moore, Nat Geo Image Collection
The archbishop wearing green and gold in a portrait
Christianity remains Ethiopia’s largest religion, and dates back to the 4th century A.D. in the country. Here, an abun, or bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, poses for a photo. 
Photograph by W. Robert Moore, Nat Geo Image Collection
Portrait of the Emperor wearing red and gold
During his reign, Selassie introduced the country’s first written constitution, moved to abolish slavery, and led Ethiopia to become a charter member of the United Nations.
Photograph by W. Robert Moore, Nat Geo Image Collection
A minister of war in a traditional and ceremonial costume
The Minister of War poses in full ceremonial costume, holding spears and a shield of rhinoceros hide. 
Photograph by W. Robert Moore, Nat Geo Image Collection
A group of warriors sitting on the steps of a church
Before the coronation, warriors wearing colorful robes wait on the steps of St. George’s Cathedral, in Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa.

3. May 1956: Coronation in Kathmandu

The king and queen of Nepal sit on their throne.
King Mahendra greets a guest during his coronation ceremonies. He wears Shreepech, the crown of Nepal, decorated in diamonds, rubies, pearls, emeralds, and bird-of-paradise plumes.
Photograph by Marc Riboud, Magnum/Nat Geo Image Collection
Men carry festive fans
Peacock feathers line ceremonial fans, which symbolize the King's authority. Jade disks surround the monarch's image.
Photograph by Marc Riboud, Magnum/Nat Geo Image Collection
Four Nepalese young women
Nepalese women gather for the coronation. In Nepal, jewelry worn on the left side of the nose is called "phuli" and septum jewelry is called "bulaki."
Photograph by Marc Riboud, Magnum/Nat Geo Image Collection
A crow gathers along the King's route with men on the street and women on roofs and balconies.
Two miles from Kathmandu, women and children jam balconies and rooftops in Patan (also known as Lalitpur) to see the King, who was paying his first state visit.
Photograph by Marc Riboud, Magnum/Nat Geo Image Collection

4. October 1967: The last Shah of Iran

The Shah places the crown on his head
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi crowns himself, as his father did before him. The Pahlavi crown gleams with 3,380 diamonds, 369 pearls, and five emeralds.
Photograph by James L. Stanfield, Nat Geo Image Collection
The empress walks down a red carpet with her maids of honor
Empress Farah Pahlavi and her entourage create a memorable tableau as six maids of honor bear the 26-foot train of her velvet cloak, edged in white mink and richly embroidered by Iranian seamstresses.
Photograph by Winfeld Parks, Nat Geo Image Collection
A crowd in the stands watches a parade of schoolgirls waving paper streamers
Waving paper streamers, a thousand schoolgirls circle Amjadieh Stadium in Tehran after the coronation. The event included marching bands, roaring motorcycle teams, precision gymnastics, and a torchlight tattoo by imperial guards. ​
Photograph by James L. Stanfield, Nat Geo Image Collection
A wide image of the red carpet with the Shah walking and waving to the crowd.
Five thousand guests gather in the gardens of Gulistan Palace as two coaches carry the imperial family past the crowd. Mohammad Reza served as the last Shah of Iran. The monarchy was overthrown in the Islamic Revolution in February 1979.
Photograph by Winfield Parks, Nat Geo Image Collection
Crowd members in traditional Kurdish dress.
Kurdish tribesmen pay their respects at the palace grounds. Today, Kurds are a large minority who make up about 11 percent of Iran’s population.
Photograph by Winfield Parks, Nat Geo Image Collection

5. July 1967: King of Tonga

The king walks in a yard outside of the church
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV was crowned King of Tonga on his 49th birthday. Princes in knee breeches carry the train of the king’s robe, a garment made of 40 yards of French silk velvet.
Photograph by Edwin Stuart Grosvenor, Nat Geo Image Collection
Girls singing and gesturing their hands in a crowd.
Students of Queen Sālote College, a girls’ school named for the King’s revered mother, salute the king. The preceding coronation this kingdom saw was for Queen Sālote in 1918.
Photograph by Edwin Stuart Grosvenor, Nat Geo Image Collection

6. June 1974: Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan

A young king sits on his thrown wearing a royal scarf
Two years after his father, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, died, Jigme Singye Wangchuck was crowned Druk Gyalpo in 1974.
Photograph by John Scofield, Nat Geo Image Collection
A young woman walks through a court yard.
The king brought in a young staff. Twenty-year-old Dechhen Wangmo headed the Ministry of Development and stood next in line to the throne. 
Photograph by John Scofield, Nat Geo Image Collection
A family sits on the side of a road
Thousands flocked to the capital for the coronation. Here, a family rests beside the town's main street.
Photograph by John Scofield, Nat Geo Image Collection
A royal brass band trumpet player
The royal brass band played a tune when dignitaries entered or left the stadium. Jigme Singye Wangchuck reigned until he abdicated in 2006 to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the current Druk Gyalpo.
Photograph by John Scofield, Nat Geo Image Collection