34 - Alnwick Castle and Coronations

To mark the coronation of King Charles III this month, the Alnwick Castle Podcast is taking a brief look at coronations from history, especially those with involvement from the Percy family. 

Hosts Daniel and Deborah introduce the role of the 1st Earl of Northumberland and his descendants at several medieval coronations; the 1st Duke and Duchess at the coronation of George III; the 3rd Duke and his role as ambassador at a 19th century French coronation; and the family's involvement in the coronations of the 20th century.

You will also hear excerpts from the diaries of the 1st Duchess, and the memoirs of novelist Victor Hugo (who remembered the Duke of Northumberland arriving in France for a coronation in 1825).

If you would like to find out more about the long history of Alnwick Castle and coronations, a special exhibition about coronations - 'Crowns and Coronets' - is now open for visitors to Alnwick Castle, displaying costumes, documents and items rarely on public view.