Coronation Robes.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 19: The Sovereign’s Coronation Robes, Known As The Supertunica And Imperial Mantle On Display At The Tower Of London. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

As preparations continue for Saturday’scoronation,King Charlesis incorporating his passion for the environment and sustainability into the celebration.

The vestments date to coronations as far back as 1821.

But unlike other traditional elements of the crowning, King Charles' decision to reuse the historic items of clothing from the Royal Collection comes less from adherence to tradition and more from the monarch’s desire to make a statement about sustainability.

Coronation Glove.Victoria Jones-Pool/Getty

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 01: The Coronation Gauntlet glove and Sword Belt, which form part of the Coronation Vestments, are displayed in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace on May 1, 2023 in London, England. The vestments will be worn by King Charles III during his coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. (Photo by Victoria Jones-Pool/Getty Images)

“His Majesty will reuse vestments which featured in the Coronation Services of King George IV in 1821, King George V in 1911, King George VI in 1937 andQueen ElizabethII in 1953, including the Colobium Sindonis, the Supertunica, the Imperial Mantle, the Coronation Sword Belt and the Coronation Glove.”

The environment has been a concern of the monarch since the 1970s, and he has spoken out repeatedly on the topic.

“The climate crisisreally is a genuine emergency, and tackling it is utterly essential,” the King, 74, previously said.

“The situationis indeed direand the consequences of inaction and business as usual are unimaginable,” he has also said.

Reusing theColobium Sindonisis a particularly significant move, as it’s a simple white tunic that symbolizes “purity before God” and will be worn during the actual anointing, considered the most sacred part of the ceremony. Cameras were not allowed tophotograph Queen Elizabeth’s anointing, and ascreenwill be held up at King Charles' coronation for the private moment.

INTERCONTINENTALE/AFP via Getty Images

A canopy of cloth of gold is placed over Elizabeth II by the four Garter Knights prior to her anointing by the Archbishop of Canterbury at coronation ceremonies in London’s Westminster Abbey

On top of the Supertunica will be the Imperial Mantle and the Stole Royal. Also called the Robe Royal, the Imperial Mantle is a gold cloak that was originally made in 1821 for the coronation of George IV, according to theRoyal Collection Trust. Its design is based on a priest’s robe and features foliage, crowns, fleurs-de-lis and eagles, with colored roses, thistles and shamrocks found throughout. The golden clasp is in the shape of an eagle. It is the oldest robe in the coronation collection.

Coronation Vestments.Victoria Jones-Pool/Getty

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 01: The Coronation Vestments, comprising of the Imperial Mantle (left) and the Supertunica (right), displayed in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace on May 1, 2023 in London, England. The vestments will be worn by King Charles III during his coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. (Photo by Victoria Jones-Pool/Getty Images)

The Stole Royal is a narrow band of gold silk made forQueen Elizabeth’s crowning in 1953. It was embroidered with national, religious and Commonwealth emblems in both gold and colored threads.

Fiona Hanson/PA Images via Getty

Queen Elizabeth II’s Robe of State

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Uniting tradition with the unconventional decision to reuse historical garments is keeping in line with the monarch’s earlier promise about the coronation, as Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future while being rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry.”

source: people.com