Happy and Glorious Coronation

History in the Making

“This is so historic!” was a phrase I heard over and over during the week leading up to the happy and glorious Coronation of King Charles III on May 6.

London was festive and abuzz with excitement Flags fluttered in rows high above Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street. Shop windows were filled with crowns, coronation mugs, bunting and everything red, white and blue. Fortnum and Mason and Harrods food halls did a brisk trade in everything Coronation related. Fortnums was even selling coronation chicken scotch eggs. Hmmmm.

Floral Tributes

Flowers bloomed everywhere, reflecting King Charles love of nature and his passion for horticulture, agriculture and sustainability. Shops had flowery displays, blossoms hung from lampposts, filled window planters and framed doorways and steps.

Excitement Mounts

Over on The Mall, the procession route, tent cities proliferated. The best spots were claimed by Wednesday which meant three nights sleeping out. Home comforts were brought in. Ability to make tea and stow champagne were, of course, essential. International news crews busily interviewed these stalwarts many of whom had come from Australia and Canada. Then on Friday afternoon a surprise visit from King Charles who walked along both sides of The Mall visiting and talking with everyone.

Staking a Claim

Coronation Day

Given the lack of real estate to watch the procession on the Mall, (claims had been staked since Wednesday) my plan B was to watch the ceremony on a big screen in St. James Park. This worked well for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, when I also joined the throng on the Mall afterwards and took images of Royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

I learned on Coronation day the park would close at 8:00 am or earlier if full. So up early to join others walking to the park. I snagged a prime spot on the grass in front of the screen. It was a beautiful morning with pink sunrise. Music began at 7:00 am when first guests began arriving at Westminster Abbey.

Procession Begins

On The Big Screen…

We watched dignitaries arrive at Westminster Abbey. We watched the procession with the King in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach drawn by six horses. We watched the entire ceremony. We heard the beautiful music personally selected by King Charles. When the organ played the National Anthem after the crowning, we all, everyone watching in the park, scrambled to our feet, stood to attention in the rain and sang God Save The King.

Return to Buckingham Palace after Happy and Glorious Coronation

The King and Queen returned to Buckingham Palace in the Golden State Coach built for George III. I could hear the clattering hooves of the horses on the wet road, the drum beats and the band as I watched the procession on the screen. The rain continued with no let up. The flypast was cancelled. I decided not to join the crowds to try get a glimpse of the royals on the balcony. I was too wet. Time to warm up and have a celebratory glass of champagne perhaps.

Then, as I was walking from the Park and along Buckingham Palace Road my timing was perfection. There were the fairytale Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the Gold State Coach. They had come from Buckingham Palace and were headed back to the Royal Mews. The carriages glinted and glowed as they negotiated the narrow mews arch, the horses still in perfect unison. The King was crowned, their work was over. Long live the King!

The Day After the Coronation

The following day, Windsor was party central with a huge headliner concert. At one stage I thought I had tickets but they were not to be. Again, the concert was screened all over London. It was a warm dry evening and crowds headed to the parks with hampers. Many of London’s public buildings were illuminated as part of the celebration. The Houses of Parliament glowed red, white and blue and Big Ben had a revolving series of light patterns.

They Came from All Corners of the Globe

London was awash with visitors including large contingents from Canada and Australia.

The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace

Before leaving London I went to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, to see some of the horses and royal carriages which are stored there. Having just seen them on the move it was a great time to see them close up. They are even more stunning in this setting. The stuff of fairytales. Most of the horses that had taken part in Saturday’s Coronation had already been taken to pastures outside London for a deserved few weeks of rest. The Royal Mews on Buckingham Palace Road is open to the public.

A Weekend of Memories

From carriages to cakes, flowers to crowns and the city of London hosting so many visitors from around the globe, the Happy and Glorious Coronation of King Charles III was indeed history in the making.

A big thank you to friends from Melbourne, Australia who staked a claim on The Mall early and got great images of the procession which they kindly shared with me. Some are in this post.

Coming Next: As well as the coronation there is a cornucopia of exhibits and new things to see. At The Design Museum, Ai WeiWei has created a room-length panel of Monet’s waterlilies in lego, and at the British Museum treasures from the ancient Persian and Greek empires are displayed in an exhibition, Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece. I will publish some of these highlights next!

For now, enjoy my images of a very historic Happy and Glorious Coronation of King Charles III