My Coronation Day

 Saturday May 6th, 2023 ( almost!)

I woke at 1030pm and felt refreshed. I decided to have a quick shower, get ready and dash out the door, bringing forward a cab and train journey as soon as I could. I ended up getting off the train at Green Park, not Knightsbridge just after midnight. 

It was a full moon as I walked out of the station however I was confronted with the pretty quiet, dimly lit path down to The Mall. At home I would never venture out alone at night and particularly not on a lonely pathway in a park. 

I approached a man in HiViz. How much faith ( misplaced?? ) do we put in HiViz? It could be an axe murderer but in HiViz they must be OK, right? Anyway, tonight was not the time for chickening out! As asked him how safe it was to go that way and he pointed to a long, constant line of HiViz wearing personnel all the way to The Mall. So off I rushed to get a spot.

I wandered for a little bit and saw some smaller crowds on the other side of The Mall, near the gates to enter St James’s Park. This is opposite St James’s Street and just down from Clarence House where Charles was no doubt trying to sleep before his big day. 

I asked a group of people if anyone else had staked this place but no, all was good, they introduced themselves and invited me into their little group of strangers. We were about 3 or 4 people back from the front. 

I set up my stool and hunkered down for the wait. It was now 12.15am and the procession wasn’t meant to start until 1020am. I messaged Kelleigh and said I already had a spot and to meet me when she could. We had prearranged to meet at 3am but me waking early was a bonus and so we both had a viewing place. 

So what took place over the next 10 hours? How did I pass the time? Well surprisingly it is a blur. Mainly our little bunch of royal watchers (Alex, Kelleigh, Nooraini, Norman, Bee and I) chatted away.

We all exchanged our stories and family/work situations and talked about visits to each other’s countries.

There was cheering for any vehicle that drove past- yes any municipal buggy or truck. I went for a walk with Bee towards Trafalgar Square and the further we walked the quiter the crowds were. They were sleeping unlike where we were which was buzzing with chatter. 

Slowly police, soldiers and officials move into their places as 6 am rolled around. A PA to welcome everyone to Coronation Day was made and dawn was breaking. The Big Day had arrived. Exciting!!

As the time ticked on more and more people arrived on The Mall. They were directed into St James’s Park where one of the big viewing screens was located. Big screens were dotted around London and also throughout major cities in the UK so people could gather and celebrate the Coronation. Near to the centre of the action i.e. The Mall there were three big screens- Hyde Park, St James’s Park and Green Park. 

At one point a car carrying the King and Queen could be seen leaving Clarence House where they live for the short ride to Buckingham Palace not far down The Mall. 

The pedestrian crossing just next to us became one-way as security tried to funnel people into the Park. People gathered behind us and now the crowd was probably 10 deep by around 9am. I made one last trip to the toilet and was stopped from getting back to my spot by a woman insisting I was pushing in. I stood up for myself and got through to my little group. Then I glared at the woman for being so rude and hostile. 

Yes, the atmosphere was getting tense I have to say. But we had been there most of the night and the people in front of us have been there since the afternoon before. A day/night of pushing my comfort zones to the max!

Military bands and horses kept marching past in a steady stream adding to the anticipation. A busload of Beefeaters drove past, travelling from St James’s Palace to Westminster Abbey and they received a big cheer. 

I’m the pink dot !!

And so as we neared Procession time, more police, armed forces, horses and bands passed us or gathered near to take up their positions. This steadily increasing activity created it’s own uptick in noise and heightened my already growing sense of anticipation and excitement. Not long now..

At the same time the crowds got a bit squishier and the calls from those behind for those like me to move forward became louder and more demanding. But not much we could do but look after our little area. 

And then the rain started - not too heavy but constant and looking at the skies above I could tell it had settled in for the coming hours. Once more, just like the crowds, you had to ignore it and enjoy the day. 

Another PA to announce the start of procession. This was followed by the distant sound of drums, soldiers and bands marching and horses hooves clip clopping got louder and louder and you could feel the vibrations in the road. Then constant cheering further down The Mall meant only one thing- the King and Queen were coming in the Diamond Jubilee Coach! 

At this point it was a matter of straining to see, keep my spot one or two back from the front, take some photos and cheer all at the same time. The excitement and wonder washed over me very unexpectedly and I knew right then that what I was witnessing was pretty special. Having done decades of research on British Royal History, I had read many times about the Coronation celebrations and processions of kings and queens. And here I was actually experiencing one myself. Charles was wearing all-white garments and appeared quite emotional as he looked out across the sea of people. 

Before I knew it Their Majesties had passed by, now heading towards Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall to Westminster. The rain continued, as it would throughout the coming hours but it didn’t matter- wet or not the day was so exciting. What to do now during the wait for the main procession back from Westminster Abbey? Well there was always chatting with our group and those around us and settling in on our chairs and stools for the next couple of hours. 

The Coronation itself was played over the PA so we could listen to the proceedings and stirring music. At one stage cannons fired in the distance.

Kelleigh shared her screen when she occasionally looked at internet. Saving battery was paramount and I then realised others had power banks too- one thing I had never considered until my crisis the day before. We live and learn! Jamming internet signals for security as well as so many phones trying to connect in such a concentrated area probably accounted for batteries draining quicker than normal. I heard others mention this too. 

My phone spent much of the day in “flight mode” so it wouldn’t drain my battery but I occasionally checked messages and saw how thoughtful people had been, what’s app and sms me good wishes. 

The Coronation itself was meant to finish at 12pm and then I figured the procession would get to us half an hour later. But the ceremony continued over the PA and as it turned out, it ran over by about ½ hour. 

Throughout the ceremony, masses of troops marched pass towards Trafalgar Square. Constant movement and taking up positions. I didn’t realise at the time but there were so many that the procession started half way down The Mall, near me right back to Westminster Abbey. Only watching later on TV did I see how many personnel there actually were ( 7000 approx) and that I had seen all of them march past ( at least twice- to take up position and then take part in the Procession back to the Palace) in a mammoth logistical operation. 

Orders yelled, bands striking up, feet marching and the drums thumping- all of it getting steadily louder and vibrations reverberated throughout my body. Then the cheering and I knew the royal carriages would be near. 

But I didn’t expect the amazement of seeing the Gold State Coach coming into my peripheral vision with a shock. I had seen it several times over the years at the Royal Mews but the scale was really not clear until you see it dwarf the people inside. The only word to describe it was magnificence in the true sense of the word. The newly crowned King and Queen were waving at the rain-drenched crowds and the people cheered mightily. 

Before I knew it, the coach carrying the Prince and Princess of Wales along with Princes George & Louis and Princess Charlotte came into view. That was hugely exciting moment for me and again took photos, waved, cheered and tried to capture visually in my memory, not just on photos, all that was in front of me. 

Then the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with James and Louise, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent and also Vice Admiral Tim Laurance. His wife, the Princess Royal was on horseback, escorting the King. 

The troops continued to flood past in a blur of noise and colour. By now I was getting tired, the rain getting annoying and just wanted to see the balcony appearance of the royal family along with the RAF Flypast of around 70 aircraft. There was doubt whether the flypast would go ahead due to the poor visibility and rain but fingers crossed. 

It turned out that we were restricted from moving anywhere as the police wanted a controlled movement of the crowds. Everyone was becoming impatient the longer The Mall was empty of traffic. Then we were told that a convoy of street sweeper trucks would be coming to suck up the horse poo before we could proceed. 

Eventually the barricades along The Mall were opened from about where we were and we rushed along in a controlled swarm of people, our little group trying to remain together while deftly moving for the best strategic place near the palace. The mood was quite friendly, no rudeness, just everyone trying to do the same thing.

 

And then, the doors to the Palace balcony opened and the King, Queen, their attendants and members of the royal family came out onto the balcony. 

What a sight! Still raining but wow amazing to see the royals looking out, savouring the moment just like we were. The national anthem was sung, constant cheering, calls of God Save The King and more cheering! Quite a surreal moment. One I won’t ever forget. 

Then an abridged flypast took place- 5 helicopters and so not to disappoint, the Red Arrows flew over The Mall and over the Palace. 

The King and family waved and left the balcony and I started to plan options for getting to nearby Tube stations. The King and Queen returned to much applause and cheering. Really, something out of a storybook. 

And then they were gone and the crowds started to disperse. Now, how to get to the hotel and which Tube stations were open. In heavier rain we made it to Green Park station, found ourselves a train and back to our respective accommodation.

I got back to my hotel at around 4.30pm. A bath, room service and off to sleep after nearly 20 hours awake. 

What a wonderful day and what an unforgettable moment in time that will be etched in my mind forever. The Coronation of a King, the special moments where I witnessed the shared experience- he just as moved as we.