King Charles III's Coronation Invitations Are Perfect for Colorful Garden Weddings

Your wedding invitations are the first design element that your guests will see ahead of the big day. Since these paper goods introduce loved ones to your aesthetic and set the tone of the celebration to come, choosing a style that complements the party you're planning is essential. If you’re looking for inspiration for a colorful palette, a garden affair, or spring or summer nuptials, King Charles III’s coronation invitations are a great place to start. On April 4, 2023, Buckingham Palace released the card that will be distributed to 2,000 guests for Charles’ crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023. 

The design of the card includes ornate calligraphy in navy blue, bordered by double gold lines and a wildflower meadow illustration in vibrant hues on the outer edge. According to the royal family’s website, a heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator named Andrew Jameson hand-painted the masterpiece with watercolors and and gouache. Based on the site, the artist will recreate the design on a recycled card and add gold foil. 

The border includes colorful flowers, such as lily of the valley, cornflowers, wild strawberries, dog roses, bluebells, and rosemary. The website explains that the flowers are presented in groups of three, which signifies Charles becoming the third monarch of his name. Since foliage is the focal point of these invitations, they would suit warm-weather weddings in a garden, backyard, or any other outdoor venue where flowers are the main décor moment. The outermost drawing also features wildlife, like a bee, butterfly, ladybird, wren, robin, lion, unicorn, and boar. This motif is befitting for a celebration with an organic aesthetic.

On the top right and left corners is the British coat of arms and a gold letter “C” is stamped in between both symbols. This would be an excellent place to feature your custom monogram or crest. You can either display the first initial of your joint last name, combine your first initials, or create a monogram with your shared last name. With hand-lettering, significant symbols, and meaningful colors, you'll craft a crest that captures your relationship.

Another primary element pictured on the invitations is the “Green Man,” an ancient figure from British folklore who is represents spring and rebirth, perfect for a ceremony that marks the transition of power. To symbolize the crowning, the “Green Man” is wearing a headpiece made of the emblematic flowers of the United Kingdom, plus oak, ivy, and hawthorn, the website says.

When King Charles is crowned next month, Queen Camilla will stand by his side. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith compares Charles to George VI in her new book, George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy. When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936, George VI had to take over the throne. Since he dealt with a stutter, he relied on his wife, Elizabeth, to help overcome his fears. “The times were very different in 1937, but was was the case with George VI for very different reasons, Camilla is a source of great strength for Charles,” Smith writes in his book. “As before, they were a very tight partnership, a very intertwined one, and that’s the case today as well with Charles and Camilla. In both cases, they were very different personalities, but in both instances, the source of strength was important.”