We've updated our Privacy and Cookies Policy
We've made some important changes to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and we want you to know what this means for you and your data.
King's Coronation: Anointing oil to be animal-free
Image source, Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Buckingham Palace
A super-secret oil used in the coronation of Kings and Queens of England for hundreds of years will be animal-free for King Charles III's ceremony this year.
The special oil is used to mark a cross on the King's forehead (which is called anointing) during the ceremony when he is crowned King and head of the Church of England.
The oil was made at a site that is holy to Christians, called the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The King's coronation will happen on Saturday 6 May, and we'll get a bank holiday off because of it and the ceremony will include many ancient artefacts and traditions.
Why is the anointing oil special?
Image source, Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Buckingham Palace
The oil used during the anointing is so special because it's always come from the same place in Jerusalem - a city special to many religions, including Christianity.
The oil's recipe has been a closely guarded secret for centuries.
Image source, Keystone/Getty Images
But this oil is unusual because, for the first time, it's not got any oil from animals in it. Historic anointing oils have included products from whales and civet cats.
This anointing oil is made of olive oil, sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and amber - as well as orange blossom.
Image source, WPA Pool/Getty
As part of the sacred ceremony the anointing oil is poured onto a golden spoon which is known to be at least 700 years old.
The Archbishop of Canterbury (senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England) says the oil used in the ceremony has been used when crowning "ancient kings through to the present day".
The Coronation Spoon has been used for the crowning of every King and Queen since the 1600s.
The special anointing oil is poured from the vessel (pictured at the top of this article) and onto the spoon, then the Archbishop dabs his finger on the spoon and touches the hand, breast and forehead of the King and Queen Consort.