When she arrived at the altar, she prostrated herself and sat in St. Edward's chair, was blessed by Archbishop Cranmer, and then crowned. The interesting thing about this coronation is that Anne was crowned with the crown of St. Edward - which was only used to crown the reigning monarch, not the consort. What was Henry trying to say by allowing this action? Was he showing his great love and uncontested respect for his new Queen? This was a great honor for Anne, and it was not one that Katherine of Aragon had received, nor would any of Henry's other Queens receive. (In fact, Anne is the last of his wives to receive an official coronation). She was given the rod and scepter and blessed as Queen of England in front of the congregation, and then she was able to exchange the crown of St. Edward for a lighter one for the remainder of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Anne went to her celebratory banquet, held at Westminster, where she sat with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Once again, Henry VIII was in a private box where he could oversee the festivities without taking up Anne's spotlight.
The next day, great festivities, jousts, and celebrations took place, and it is clear that Henry went all out to celebrate his new Queen. It is reported that it cost about £46,000 to hold the extravagant celebration, and that Henry himself paid about half that amount on top of the original cost! It is possible that he went to such extremes because his Queen was already heavy with his child, and he was certain that it would be the prince he was longing for! Also, Anne had waited a pretty long time to gain this title and the King's undivided attention and love, so perhaps this was another way for the King to truly show Anne how much she meant to him, and to thank her for her patience during his "Great Matter." This was a new start for them both, and it was an elaborate and exciting day, although it was not received very well by the public. The English people did not approve of Anne and still mourned the recent banishment of Queen Katherine (now the Dowager Princess of Wales), who was still considered "the Queen of Hearts."
Anne and Henry seemed to turn a blind eye to the nay-sayers, and they enjoyed themselves and partied 16-century style to celebrate Anne's new title as Queen of England!