It is worn when the king/queen processes out of the cathedral at the end of the ceremony. It should not be confused with the Robe of State, a much plainer, crimson mantle that is worn at the beginning of the ceremony, or the Imperial Mantle, a gold mantle that is worn during the Investiture phase of the coronation.
The Robe of Estate is normally very long. The robe worn by Elizabeth II (r: 1953 - ) was 6.5 m in length from the shoulder to the tip of the train. It is embroidered in goldwork with the ciphers of the queen and has a border of olive branches and wheat ears, symbolising peace and plenty respectively. The mantle took 3500 hours to complete and was made by a team of twelve embroiderers and seamstresses, who worked in shifts at the Royal School of Needlework. It is normal for most of the coronation robes to be newly made for each monarch.
See also the TRC Needles entry on the British coronation garments.
Sources:
- http://members.boardhost.com/coronation/msg/1359192658.html (retrieved 24th April 2017).
- http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/press-release/her-majesty-the-queens-magnificent-coronation-dress-and-robe-of-estate-to-go-on (retrieved 24th April 2017).
GVE