It was raining…but it was Coronation and a chance The Queen’s for a party
THE THRILL of watching the pageantry and ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II’S Coronation nearly 70 years ago remains unforgotten for many Sunday Express readers.
A few lucky ones were taken by their parents to be among the three million who lined the streets of London along the 4.5mile Coronation route on June 2, 1953.
Many recalled older relatives camped out overnight to grab the best spots and then endured hours of waiting to catch a glimpse of their new Queen.
For the vast majority, it was the excitement of gathering together with family, friends and neighbours to watch the ceremony and processions live on television for the first time. Thousands of street parties were held despite food rationing.
Sunday Express readers responded in their droves to share their recollections of the historic day. The Queen was aged 25 at the time of her Coronation, following her accession on February 6, 1952, on the death of her father, King George VI.
The service at Westminster Abbey was attended by 8,251 guests and representatives of 129 nations and territories. It began at 11.15am and lasted almost three hours.the return route of the procession then took the 16,000 participants two hours to complete.
But one guest, Queen Salote of Tonga, won the hearts of the crowds by refusing to raise the roof of her carriage despite the rain, and many readers said this was one of the most memorable moments.
Among those fortunate to be taken to watch from the street was Jennifer Keefe, then eight, who recalled how her father Police Sergeant Stan Hale, on duty along the route to the Abbey, told her and her mother where to stand for the best view.
Jennifer said she and her mother got up early but when they got to the spot suggested by her father, it was crowded.
“My mother bought me a cardboard periscope from a street trader. But when the procession started all the kids were lifted by the crowds over the heads of everyone so we were at the front and could see it all.
“I remember when the Queen passed in her golden carriage, but she was looking the other way and I was quite disappointed.
“Everyone was soaked, but I remember Queen Salote riding in an open carriage and smiling and waving to the crowd although she must have been soaking.”
Schoolboy David Burden BEM made a huge effort to witness history by walking 72 miles with pals from Portsmouth to London. He said: “What an adventure! We watched the parade from the Mall, what a wonderful sight.”
The BBC’S coverage made broadcasting history as the first service to be televised. An incredible 27 million people watched the ceremony with a further 11 million listening on the radio.
Irene Smith of Middleton, Manchester, recalled: “Only one home had a television set – the entire street fitted into auntie Annie’s front room. Children, crossed legged at front, the rest in order of height.”
Joan Tivendale, then four, lived with her family above their East End electrical shop.
She said: “Like many families, we bought our first TV with its tiny screen in time for the Coronation. I’m sure we were the envy of the street! There must have been about 18 relatives of all ages crowded into our tiny living room to watch.”
Carolyn Tucker, was five when her father’s family came to stay. She said: “They camped out in London. I remember sitting in my grandparents’ lounge watching it but finding the service long and boring. The excitement felt by the family and my father when his relatives returned made up for it.” Val Garrett from Leeds was 12 when her family were invited over by her aunt and uncle to watch the ceremony. “They were a lot better off than my mum and dad and had invested in a television.” She added: “She was such a young queen and having to take over from her late father George VI must have been such an ordeal.
“She carried out her duties magnificently and did so up to her death in 2022. What an amazing monarch she was.”
Rachel Emmott was six when “in a burst of unusual generosity” their Cheshire landlady invited all her tenants to watch the Coronation. “We had to bring our own food but she would provide cups of tea.
“We all squeezed into the small front room, I was crammed between my parents with the landlady’s smelly dog at my feet.
“I was fascinated by the pomp and splendour and especially entranced by the music but I have to confess that I dozed off dur
ing the lengthy processions. How fortunate we are to have colour TV these days, I look forward to watching this Coronation by my own fireside.”
Roger Smithies, then four, lived in Fareham, Hampshire, and said: “On the day of the Coronation there was a large parade with decorated floats and horses, soldiers, sailors and airmen in full dress uniforms, colour everywhere.”
Prince Charles was able to witness his mother’s Coronation, but Princess Anne was considered too young to attend. Sue Girvan of Northwood, Middlesex, who was nine, said: “I recollect thinking how young Prince Charles looked and how well behaved he was. Little did I know that, at nearly 80 years of age, I would be witnessing the Coronation of that little boy.”
Mr Roger Smithies added: “A week later, at the local cinema there was a film recounting the day in detail. I remember my mother pointing out Prince Charles and telling me he was a month older than me and some day he will be King.
“It is regrettable to lose the Queen but nonetheless I am glad to see Prince Charles ascend the throne and become King.”