Coronation of Charles X at Reims (1825)

The coronation of Charles X occurred on 29 May 1825 at Reims Cathedral, marking the final coronation of a French monarch. Charles, who succeeded Louis XVIII in 1824, chose Reims to revive ancien régime traditions, contrasting with Napoleon's Paris consecration. The event involved a journey from Paris, ceremonies in Reims, and a return, establishing a brief resumption of royal coronations before the 1830 revolution.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Reims Cathedral was the traditional site for French royal coronations, a tradition established in 1027. The practice resumed after the Bourbon Restoration but was skipped by Louis XVIII due to health and controversy. Charles X, succeeding his brother in 1824, announced his intention to be crowned in the tradition of the ancien régime, selecting Reims over Paris to emphasize ancestral legitimacy.

Ceremony. The 1825 event consisted of four stages: the King's journey from Paris to Reims, ceremonies in the city, his return journey, and entry into Paris. Charles departed Paris on 24 May, staying in Compiègne for three days. The ceremony was the first since 1775, marking the final coronation of a French monarch, as subsequent rulers were only proclaimed.

Significance. Charles X's coronation was the last of its kind, as Louis Philippe I and Napoleon III were only proclaimed monarchs. The choice of Reims symbolized a return to ancestral traditions, contrasting with Napoleon's revolutionary consecration in Paris. The event highlighted the political power of the archbishop and the prestige of the Holy Ampulla used for anointing.

People involved

Sources

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