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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 1

The first televised coronation

I can describe what happened at Elizabeth II’s coronation and why it mattered.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 1

The first televised coronation

I can describe what happened at Elizabeth II’s coronation and why it mattered.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Elizabeth became queen in 1952 and was crowned in 1953.
  2. People watched on TV.
  3. Elizabeth's coronation crown and jewels had special meanings.
  4. The four nations joined in celebration.
  5. It was a proud day.

Keywords

  • Queen - a woman who rules

  • Coronation - the ceremony where someone is crowned king or queen

  • Nation - another word for a country

  • Symbol - something that stands for something

  • Crown - a symbol of rule worn on the head

Common misconception

Pupils might think a coronation and a royal wedding are the same thing.

Explain to pupils that although both events are full of pagentry and symbolism and take place in a religious setting, these are just similarities and does not mean they are the same thing.


To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: The first televised coronation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use crown, orb, and sceptre props or pictures revealed across the story to exemplify Elizabeth's coronation and the symbols she bore.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
People who are evacuated are called ...

Correct Answer: evacuees, evacuee

Q2.
During World War II, evacuated people moved ...

Correct answer: from the cities to the countryside
from the countryside to the cities
from one city to another city
from one part of the countryside to another part of the countryside

Q3.
Who was evacuated to Windsor Castle during World War II?

the whole royal family
the king and queen
Correct answer: Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret
nobody from the royal family

Q4.
Why did Elizabeth give a radio broadcast during World War II?

to encourage our soldiers to fight harder
to scare enemy soldiers
to ask people to share their food and money
Correct answer: to comfort evacuated children

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How old was Elizabeth when she became queen?

2
12
Correct answer: 25
52

Q2.
Which of these is a symbol of rule worn on the head?

Correct answer: crown
orb
sceptre
throne

Q3.
Elizabeth's coronation was the very first to be ...

Correct answer: shown on television
performed outside
attended by ordinary people

Q4.
Put the events in the correct order.

1 - King George VI dies.
2 - Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth.
3 - Elizabeth's coronation takes place.

Q5.
Match the words to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:queen,a woman who rules

a woman who rules

Correct Answer:coronation,the ceremony where someone is crowned king or queen

the ceremony where someone is crowned king or queen

Correct Answer:nation,another word for a country

another word for a country

Correct Answer:symbol,something that stands for something

something that stands for something

Q6.
Which ceremony is performed to crown a king or queen?

a royal wedding
Correct answer: a coronation
a baptism