On this day in history, on 24th June 1509, Henry VIII was crowned King of England and his new bride, Catherine of Aragon, was crowned Queen.
I’m not going to write about his Coronation because he is taking over this blog already!
However, you can follow his special day on Twitter. Simply follow “I am Henry VIII” –http://twitter.com/IamHenryVIII – which is the Historic Royal Palaces charity, owners of the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, tweeting on Henry’s behalf.
At time of writing, Henry VIII’s tweets so far today are:-
“I am wearing a crimson velvet robe, ermine trim and gold brocade. My top and collar embroidered with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls.”
“Katherine wears white-embroidered satin and has her hair loose, crowned with a jewelled coronel.”
“We are setting off from the Tower now, to start the procession through London where I will greet my people.”
“Edward, Duke of Buckingham leads, holding a silver staff and wearing a chain with rubies and jewels – then the Mayor, sergeants and heralds.”
“Behind me seven men bearing arms – Saints Edward, Edmund and George, flags of England and France and the Tudor Rose and Royal Crest.”
and he will be tweeting about his coronation all day – Don’t miss it!
Don’t you just love the new high tech Henry!
P.S. If you enjoy online games, you may want to try your hand at the Henry VIII Dressed to Kill Foot Combat game at the Historic Royal Palaces website. Can you beat Henry and give him a taste of his own medicine?!
(Photo from Historic Royal Palaces and Newsteam International – Hampton Court Palace’s Coronation Weekend 20th-21st June 2009)
Henry tweeting – what great fun! I thought it was rather humorous – after all the flack Jonathan Rhys Meyers received for not being fat, the Henry portrayed in these ceremonies is remarkably aged and overweight for the young athlete he was at his coronation! What an exciting time, I wish I were in London.
I thought that too, Emma! Historic Royal Palaces have obviously got a contract with this actor to do all of the Henry events this year but it is funny. You can see an interview with the Henry actor at http://careers.guardian.co.uk/video/acting-role-play
Forgot to say that I’ve just added a link to the post for an online game – Henry VIII Dressed to Kill Combat game – looks fun.
Aww… he’s a great Henry! I enjoyed the interview – thanks Claire.
He wasn’t the Henry VIII who was at Hampton Court when I visited – my Henry had a terrible fake beard! If you’re curious:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kfrmelmkDsw5wy0xjPBiTQ?feat=directlink
But I really liked Kateryn Parr and her sister, Lady Herbert, was amazing – she escorted some of us through the palace and told us stories and explained clothing of the day.
Your Henry made me laugh, Kristian, I really see what you mean about the fake beard! You’d think they could have got Jonathan Rhys Meyers in! Hampton Court Palace would have been packed out if JRM was there!
Your trip sounds great.
I wish I could be in london.. I get those tweets and it’s kind of funny. One day I will go!!!!
How about an Anne Boleyn Files meet-up at the Tower of London next Anne Boleyn Day? If there’s enough of us I’m sure I could get them to give us a special tour. We could do Hampton Court Palace and Hever Castle too. Nearly a year to go and I’m getting excited already!!