The most sacred moment of Queen Elizabeth's coronation
Dean of Westminster Rev. John Hall reflects on the act of consecration
When Queen Elizabeth arrived at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday for a service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her coronation, she was greeted at the historic London landmark by Rev. John Hall.
Hall was installed as the 38th dean of Westminster in 2006 and oversees the spiritual life of the abbey. Because the abbey is a Royal Peculiar, Hall is responsible to the sovereign alone, meaning the Queen is his boss.
Hall officiated at the 2011 wedding of the Queen's grandson Prince William and Kate Middleton and also oversaw the service on Tuesday.
Although the 1953 coronation was the first major international event to be televised, there was one moment considered to be too private to be shown to the world: the act of consecration.
That act has been described as the most magical aspect of English coronation. In the video above, Hall reflects on this moment and the symbolism of having a flask of oil as part of Tuesday's service.