Prepare to travel back in time to Saturday, 6 May 2023, a date of great importance in the history of the UK.
The last coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place on 2 June 1953, marking 70 years since a coronation took place in the United Kingdom. After the Queen’s 70-year and 214-day reign over the UK, even some of the most ardent royalists began to doubt if this day would ever happen. In fact, several individuals speculated that Prince William would be bestowed with the throne without Prince Charles’ prior ownership. It seems appropriate to start referring to him as King Charles III at this point. Of course, speaking it out loud makes it sound a little strange. Still, after the eagerly anticipated coronation ceremony, it’s official!
So sit back, relax, let’s delve into the once-in-a-lifetime occasion and relive its pivotal moments together.
The days leading up to the event …
The countdown was on! The media went into a frenzy, with coverage of the occasion taking over almost every news outlet. It was impossible to escape the buzz, with leaked photos and videos of military personnel beginning to circulate. Even die-hard fans of the Royals were camping out along the Mall to catch a glimpse of the newly crowned monarch. Given that it was exam season and the hordes of tourists and royalists expected to descend upon the city, I decided to avoid going into central London during the lead up to the events.
Crown jewels and more: the coronation day – Saturday, 6 May 2023
Despite all odds, Charles III’s coronation day eventually arrived, ushering in a historical juncture in British history. While I was planning to join in with the coronation festivities after work, the weather took a turn for the worse. Well, it wouldn’t be a British coronation if the weather did not disappoint on this historic day. On what should have been a beautiful weather bank holiday weekend, those early morning sunny spells swiftly transformed into a gloomy and rainy day with intermittent downpours. So instead, I decided to make myself comfortable at home and watch the procession from my living room.
As my five-year-old nephew kept asking me about the unfamiliar features of the coronation every few seconds, I joined the countless others on Google, searching for the meanings behind some aspects of the ceremony. Overall, the coronation was a visual spectacle featuring old customs and rituals that may have seemed archaic to some but only served to heighten the occasion’s grandeur. After the coronation ceremony, I hurried to the shops only to be greeted by a staggering amount of Union Jacks lining the town’s streets.
The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle: Sunday 7 May 2023
The highly anticipated Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle was up next on the schedule. There had been weeks of rumours about who might perform, but the final line-up did not disappoint. From legendary performers like Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli to pop icons like Katy Perry and Take That, the live performances were a real treat. Sonam Kapoor and other international celebrities were also in attendance, making it indeed a global event. However, my concert highlight was the drone light display, with its breath-taking visuals lighting up the sky, depicting several motifs representing British history.
Final thoughts …
Even though I’m not one to go into a frenzy over the royals, the coronation will be a memorable day in my life. It was truly an uncommon sight to see individuals from all walks of life and varying backgrounds unite in celebration of being British. In fact, it brought back memories of how united and patriotic British society can be, reminiscent of the London Olympics of 2012.
Well, that’s it from me folks. If you participated in the coronation celebrations, kindly let me know in the comments section below; feel free to share your personal accounts as well—I’d love to hear from you!
Check out student Valentina’s video report of the day on TikTok.
