View source for Coronation of Maximilian II and Elizabeth

The coronation of [[Maximilian II]] and his wife, [[Elizabeth, Queen Consort|Elizabeth]], as King and Queen of the Rock took place at St. Alfonso's Basilica, [[Rockfield|Balancía]] on 18 June 3023. It was the first and last coronation to take place during the Rule of the Wilts (3021-3023), as well as the last before the establishment of the [[Balancín Kingdoms]]. Maximilian II had succeeded to the throne upon the abdication of Queen Mary Maekar on the authority of the [[Prince Antony, Duke of Sinacras|Prince Regent]] in September 3022. The coronation was a large spectacle, with the crown investing millions into the event and its broadcast around the Doggerlands. Historians refer to the coronation as the beginning of the international turn away from democracy and towards monarchy. 

Pontifex Konstantin IX officiated the ceremony and officially crowned Maximilian II as "the Most Catholic Majesty". This marked Konstantin's third coronation of his pontificate, and the first of two for Maximilian, who would later be coronated as Emperor of the Romans following the Doggerland Crusade of 3024.

== Preparations ==
The 3021 coronation of Charles VI had been of little help to the Crown while preparing for Maximilian's coronation. While the religious aspect of the ceremony was consistent, the rest of the event was far more spectacular than Charles VI had permitted. The change in status for the coronation signified a change in the perception of the monarchy from 3021, with the 3023 Crown wishing to project more strength, status, and authority. 

The King had instructed the Earl Marshal to organise the affair, as was tradition. However, most of the coronation preparations were undertaken by the King and the Lord Privy Seal. The budget was doubled when compared to Charles VI's coronation, with over 10 million CM spent. The King's coronation committee asked for three budget increases on the original 6.5 million CM budget, which allowed for a complete renovation of St. Alfonso's Basilica (which was still damaged after the Battle for the Iberian Palace during the War of the Balancín Succession), as well as a 2 million CM advertisement push on the WBC, LNN, and other broadcasters. The aim was to have the coronation be the most watched event since the end of the NCR/IDO war. 

== Illness and risk of postponement ==
As the coronation approached, the King entered into a period of illness. In the month prior to his coronation, the King held minimal public appearances (an usual state of affairs as typically this time is used for the monarch to promote the event). The Iberian Palace responded to speculation that the King had been taken ill, stating that "His Majesty is recovering well". Despite this, there was rampant speculation that he would be unable to go ahead with the lavishly-planned coronation.

In the days before the coronation, the King's planned speech to the Balancía council (the Wiltshirian-styled local administrative council) was cancelled and the Palace announced that Prince Louis, the Duke of Talaga would take the King's place. However, at the last minute, the King appeared at the event and gave the speech himself.

The King's speech from the throne became a sensational moment, in which the King shot down speculation of his inability to rule. In the speech, he announced that the name of the Royal House would change from Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Murcia.