{{Short description|Robe worn by the British monarch}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} [[File:H.M. King George V in Coronation robes.png|thumb|upright=2.3|A depiction of George V in Westminster Abbey in 1911, while wearing the Supertunica, Stole Royal and Robe Royal]] The '''Robe Royal''' (also known as the '''''Pallium Regale''''',<ref name=tele/> '''Imperial Mantle'''<ref name=rct/> or '''Dalmatic Robe'''<ref name=rct/>) is a robe worn by the British monarch when he or she is crowned. It is donned just before the monarch is invested with the Orb, Ring and Sceptres. It is worn during the crowning and paying of homage. The Robe Royal used is one originally created for the 1821 coronation of George IV.

== Use == The monarch enters Westminster Abbey for their coronation wearing the Robe of State. This is removed for the Anointing ceremony in which they wear the ''Colobium sindonis'' ("shroud tunic"), an intentionally plain robe. After the Anointing the monarch dons the more ornate Supertunica over the ''Colobium''.<ref name=tele>{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Victoria |title=King Charles III's sacred Coronation robes revealed |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/02/16/king-charles-iii-coronation-robes-revealed/ |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=Daily Telegraph |date=16 February 2023 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217003324/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/02/16/king-charles-iii-coronation-robes-revealed/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> After they have been invested with regalia including the Spurs, Sword of Offering and the Armills the monarch dons the Robe Royal over the top of the Supertunica and also wears the Stole Royal.<ref name=tele/><ref>{{cite web |title=Coronation of British Monarchs |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/coronation-of-British-monarchs |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=17 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417180231/https://www.britannica.com/topic/coronation-of-British-monarchs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=deb>{{cite web |title=Coronations |url=https://debretts.com/royal-family/coronations/ |website=Debretts |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417182755/https://debretts.com/royal-family/coronations/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The monarch is then invested with the Orb, Ring and Sceptres and crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. They remain in the Robe Royal as they receive homage from the bishops, peers of the realm and members of the Royal Family and the Communion is conclude. The monarch then moves to the shrine and tomb of St Edward the Confessor where the regalia, Robe Royal and Stole Royal are removed and replaced with the Imperial Robe for the procession out of Westminster Abbey.<ref name=deb/> During the Coronation the monarch is enrobed by the Lord Great Chamberlain who is assisted by the Groom of the Robes and the Master of the Robes or Mistress of the Robes.<ref name=deb/>

== Description == Unlike most of the robes used in the coronation the Robe Royal is not typically made new for each monarch. The one in current use was made for the 1821 coronation of George IV.<ref name=tele/> The design of the robe was based on the earlier mantles worn by Tudor and Stuart monarchs and, indeed, is little changed from those worn in the medieval period which were based on the Dalmatic vestment used by clergy.<ref name=tele/><ref name=rct>{{cite web |title=John Meyer - The Imperial Mantle, worn by King George IV, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/31794/the-imperial-mantle-worn-by-king-george-iv-king-george-v-king-george-vi-and-queen |website=Royal Collection Trust |access-date=18 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418070734/https://www.rct.uk/collection/31794/the-imperial-mantle-worn-by-king-george-iv-king-george-v-king-george-vi-and-queen |url-status=live }}</ref> The association with ecclesiastical attire is intentional and meant as a reminder of the divine nature of the monarchy.<ref name=rct/> The George IV Robe Royal is the oldest robe used in the coronation ceremony.<ref name=tele/>

The George IV Robe Royal is gold-coloured with symbols including foliage, crowns, fleurs-de-lis, eagles, roses, thistles and shamrocks embroidered in coloured thread. It is worn as a mantle and closed by a gold clasp in the shape of an eagle.<ref name=tele/> The George IV Robe Royal was made by John Meyer for £24, with the gold clasp manufactured by goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. After the coronation of George IV the robe was retained by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster before passing into private hands. It was returned to the Crown in the early 20th century and was used at the 1911 coronation of George V, the 1937 coronation of George VI, the 1953 coronation of Elizabeth II, and the 2023 coronation of Charles III.<ref name=rct/><ref name=tele/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-05-01/historic-coronation-vestments-from-the-royal-collection-will-be-reused|title=Historic Coronation Vestments from the Royal Collection will be reused by His Majesty The King for the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey|work=The Royal Family|date=1 May 2023|accessdate=1 May 2023|archive-date=1 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501221024/https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-05-01/historic-coronation-vestments-from-the-royal-collection-will-be-reused|url-status=live}}</ref> A new Robe Royal was made by Werner and Sons of Braintree, Essex, in preparation for the coronation of Edward VIII. After this coronation was cancelled his successor, George VI, elected to use the George IV robe instead.<ref>{{cite news |title=King's Tunica |work=Daily Telegraph & Courier |date=24 March 1911|page=13}}</ref>

==See also== *Robe of State *Imperial Robe *St Edward's Crown

== References == {{reflist}}

{{Coronation of the British monarch|state=collapsed}} Category:1821 works Category:Monarchy of the United Kingdom Category:Ceremonial clothing Category:English clothing Category:Regalia Category:Robes and cloaks Category:George IV