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British pomp and ceremony - 10th May 2023
All eyes were on London as the British capital played host to the pomp and ceremony of the coronation of the new monarch, Charles III, the first in 7 decades. The momentous occasion saw the procession route crammed with spectators vying to secure a vantage point to catch a glimpse of the event. Many had camped out, weathering downpours overnight.
As the venue of the coronation, Westminster Abbey, was filling with international heads of state, dignitaries and politicians, the king and queen processed through the streets with an elaborate military entourage, to the delight of onlookers.
Joann Howell: "Amazing."
Helen Calvert: "Absolutely incredible."
Joann Howell: "Loved every minute even though we're wet."
Helen Calvert: "Honour and a privilege to have been here."
Joann Howell: "And it was worth staying out all night in the freezing cold."
Shahenez Suleman: "Oh Gosh I'm speechless and amazed, I've got the the best seat as well, to take the best pictures. Just can't see, when you see, it's real, isn't it, seeing him, in the carriage."
However, a vein of anti-monarchist outcry was seen amongst the ceremonial fanfare. Trafalgar Square thronged with protestors who question the relevance of such a royal institution in a 21st century democracy.
Kieran Smith: "I just think in the 21st century it’s abhorrent that we’ve got a monarchy that’s not democratically elected in. That we aren’t part of a republic."
Nevertheless, the horse-drawn gold state coach which carried the newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla back to Buckingham Palace sparkled. Behind it followed heir to the throne Prince William with Princess Catherine and their children, accompanied by a guard of 4,000 members of the armed forces, and the excitement of the crowd was palpable.
Once carriages had safely returned to the palace, spectators swarmed its gates, hailing the king and queen as they stepped onto the balcony, waving to their subjects and watching the ceremonial flypast. Hours afterwards, braving a spring downpour, a stream of people milled around on the mall to be part of the historic event.
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