Crowning of King Elessar

Now the Captains of the West led their host towards the City, and folk saw them advance in line upon line, flashing and glinting in the sunrise and rippling like silver.

But when Aragorn arose all that beheld him gazed in silence, for it seemed to them that he was revealed to them now for the first time. Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.

The Crowning of King Elessar or Crowning of the King took place on May 1st, TA 3019, upon the Pelennor Fields outside the Othram of Minas Tirith. It inaugurated the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.

Summary

Around Minas Tirith's Great Gate was set up an expanse of tents and campsites; soldiers, nobles, and common folk from throughout of Middle-earth were present. The coronation ceremony began with the ringing of a trumpet, followed by a hushed silence from the crowd. Faramir, as the new Steward of Gondor, met Aragorn before the gate and declared the return of the King. The crown, usually placed on the head of the new King by his father, was as those of the citadel guard, except loftier and whiter, with wings of pearl and silver in the likeness of a seabird. Upon it were seven gems of adamant, and a single jewel at its peak, "the light of which went up like a flame".

Holding the crown aloft, Aragorn declared in Sindarin: "Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world." These were the first words uttered by Elendil upon his arrival from the Sea. Aragorn decided to have the Ring-bearer carry the crown to Gandalf, who placed it upon his head and pronounced a blessing. Faramir cried, "Behold the King!", and King Elessar entered his city to the ringing of trumpets and the unfurling of the royal banner from the topmost tower.

Several months later a party of Elves arrived and Elrond surrendered to Aragorn the symbol of royalty in Arnor, the Sceptre of Annúminas. Shortly afterward, Aragorn and Arwen were married.

In adaptations

In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), the coronation takes place at the High Court of Minas Tirith. Gandalf, assisted by Gimli, crowns Aragorn before the doors of the Throne Hall with his back to his people. Aragorn rises and turns, and sings Elendil's verse. He proceeds into the crows, and comes to Arwen. The two embrace and kiss, before turning to Frodo Baggins and the other hobbits, and kneeling before them for their heroism.

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