As part of the investiture during the coronation ceremony, after the anointing with holy oil, the sovereign is robed in the embroidered Supertunica and Stole Royal, followed by the Imperial Mantle on top.
The illustrated example was made by John Meyer (tailor) for the coronation of George IV in 1821. In the twentieth century it was worn by George V (1911), George VI (1937) and Elizabeth II (1953). The mantle is made from silk and gold (cloth of gold) with a woven design of various emblems, including crowns, fleurs-de-lis, foliage, roses, shamrock and thistles. The gold clasp that closes the mantle at the chest is cast in the shape of an eagle.
See also: British coronation garments.
See online catalogue of the Royal Collection Trust (retrieved 24th April 2017).
GVE