LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) – London’s Westminster Abbey mentioned guests will get the prospect this summer time to comply with King Charles’ coronation footsteps, getting entry for the primary time in residing reminiscence to an space sealed off to the general public.
Charles shall be topped on Might 6 on the church the place coronations for English and British monarchs have been held for the previous 1,000 years.
As a part of particular excursions to be run within the weeks afterwards, guests to the Abbey will have the ability to stroll – having taken their sneakers off – on the “Cosmati Pavement” close to the Excessive Altar the place the Coronation Chair shall be positioned for the service.
“For the primary time in recognized historical past, this pavement shall be on view and used for a coronation,” mentioned Vanessa Simeoni, the top conservator on the Abbey. “It’s such a uncommon alternative. No person other than the clergy go as much as this place.”
The mosaic flooring, product of marble, stone, glass and steel, was laid on the orders by King Henry III in 1268 and is exclusive in Britain, Simeoni mentioned.
However it had been in such a state of poor restore that it had been hidden from view underneath a carpet for the reason that 1870s and solely underwent conservation work which resulted in 2010.
Reporting by Will Russell; Writing by Michael Holden; Enhancing by Alison Williams
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