Armed Forces will be ‘pride of the nation’

ITWILL be the largest military spectacle for 70 years after six months of planning.

But one thing will be certain, the Armed Forces will become the “pride of the nation” when they commemorate the Coronation of Charles III this week.

More than 6,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the nation and beyond have been pounding the pavements in heavy rehearsals. Planning for the six-hour event only began in November following the Queen’s death in September.

And – rather than relying on templates – senior officers started from scratch and pored over vintage film of Queen Elizabeth II’S Coronation in 1953 for ideas.

Thousands of Guards and Household Cavalry Troopers – who will lead the ceremony – gathered for the first time last Friday at Aldershot and Sandhurst to turn

‘We didn’t have a plan so turned to Youtube’

those plans into action. Many had been deployed in Kenya and Cyprus until a few days ago and had no leave before switching from war games to ceremonial duties.

Planning has fallen to Lt Col James Shaw, Brigade Major of the Household Division, with Garrison Sgt Maj Andrew ‘Vern’ Stokes. Both were charged with the same task for the late Queen’s funeral and her Platinum Jubilee. The Coronation will involve twice the number of troops – but size isn’t the only difference.

Lt Col Shaw, 43, who is due to lead the procession on horseback 1,500 metres in front of the gold state coach, said: “For operation London Bridge (the Queen’s funeral) there was a written plan, but we didn’t have a set plan for the Coronation.

“We have historical precedents we can draw from. A lot of the 1953 Coronation is on Youtube so we took bits from there.” One major inspiration was the

widening of the parade so it was 15 soldiers across. Lt Col Shaw added: “We looked at the scale of the 1953 Coronation and how we could take some of that and bring it in. “Footguards today usually march sixwide, but in 1953 they filled the width of the Mall. We decided to make the

procession as wide as possible so that it’s packed with troops and colour.”

More than 1,200 troops attended rehearsals at Aldershot on Friday, while another 2,200 tried out the new drill at Sandhurst.

Some of the plans created logistical problems for Sgt Major Stokes. He said: “Because we have many more taking part and it’s such a small processional route, we’ve had to be quite clever about how we deliver.” This meant inventing a drill, which will now be available for future events.

Sgt Major Stokes added: “London is already marked with chalk everywhere.

“We’ve issued our orders and are rehearsing every step to make sure that, when the time comes, the Armed Forces will be the pride of the nation.”

Some taking part can boast a connection dating back 361 years.

Lt Lachlan de Klee’s ancestor, John Leslie Duke of Rothes, carried the sword of state at Charles II’S Coronation in 1661.

His great-grandfather took part in George VI’S crowning, his grandfather served at the late Queen’s and his father stood vigil at her funeral. Lt De Klee, inset, who will carry the King’s Colour from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, said: “I just returned from Kenya four days ago, got straight into uniform and here we are.”

Don’t miss our special souvenir Coronation edition next week