Coronation of Charles III: the rain was not enough to cool the hearts of the British

"It was a great moment." Sophie is delighted to have been able to follow the entire coronation ceremony of the new King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla held on Saturday, May 6, at Westminster Abbey in London. "Whether we are for or against the monarchy, it was a great moment in history and I am happy to have been able to be there," she said.

« Qu'on soit pour ou contre la monarchie, c'était un grand moment d'histoire et nous sommes heureuses d'en avoir été » ⁦@FRANCE24⁩ pic.twitter.com/79xhJZpHhC

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

"Historic" is the word that comes up in everyone's mouth. For the majority of visitors, it was the first time they had attended the coronation of a king. It must be said that it had been seventy years since the British had experienced such an event. "We don't have much comparison, but we found the ceremony really beautiful, a great moment," jokes two friends who followed the whole ceremony on the big screen installed for the occasion on the lawns of St James's Park, London, near Buckingham Palace.

« Nous n'avons pas d'élément de comparaison mais on a trouvé la cérémonie vraiment très belle, un grand moment » ⁦@FRANCE24⁩ pic.twitter.com/8SLHdrE2J9

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

Touches of modernity appreciated

Asked about their feelings, many appreciated the touches of modernity brought by the sovereign. "It was a good thing to talk about other religions," Rose said. Charles wanted to involve representatives of the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh faiths, in a spirit of interreligious dialogue. Other visitors were moved by the music that resounded powerfully in the alleys of London park. It is also impossible not to vibrate while listening to the many "God Save the King" sung by the crowd, collected and enthusiastic.

"God save the King" sounds again at St James's Park@france24 pic.twitter.com/t3o5QFZXCw

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

Of course, the rain came to play spoiler all day without offering a single moment of respite to the spectators, resolutely philosophers. "It's a shame," Karen regrets, "the rain spoiled the party a bit. But this day is still a beautiful moment of gathering for the Nation. After the pandemic, Brexit, the death of the Queen, the war in Ukraine and inflation, we all needed a moment of communion and we got it. And that's even if you don't like the monarchy."

« Dommage que la pluie ait gâché l'événement » mais c'était quand même un beau moment de rassemblement pour la nation après la pandémie, le Brexit, la guerre en Ukraine et l'inflation » ⁦@FRANCE24⁩ pic.twitter.com/96GCGaNNZu

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

Some shadows on the board

Moreover, anti-monarchist activists took advantage of the day to make themselves heard. Holding "Not my king" signs and sporting yellow "Abolish the monarchy" sweatshirts, they first gathered in Trafalgar Square before reaching the outskirts of Buckingham and Westminster. Police made dozens of arrests that took place peacefully and out of sight.

Police officers arrest anti-monarchists holding "Not m'y king" signs pic.twitter.com/ReCFGT61No

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

A few meters from Buckingham, another form of anger. That of the latecomers who arrived after 8 am near the course of the carriage and who could not access the places of the festivities because of the many barrier points. "It's really hard to wait in the rain a few meters from the party, regret two girlfriends sitting under their poncho. And it was difficult to follow the ceremony on our phones because of the rain."

Two passers-by had to follow the ceremony on their phones in the rain, they are a little disappointed but happy anyway pic.twitter.com/MtCul8kXz0

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

All the surroundings around Westminster were blocked. Ces passages interdits génèrent beaucoup de frustration de ceux qui n'ont pas pu y accéder ⁦@FRANCE24⁩ pic.twitter.com/9hwuZkF5en

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

Fortunately, the roadblocks were blown up before the end of the ceremony to allow the last visitors to see Charles III and Camilla pass through the "Gold State Coach", a golden carriage used at each coronation, escorted by 4,000 soldiers in ceremonial dress. The lucky ones were also able to see the entire royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham.

The long-awaited passage of the royal couple to the applause of the crowd@france24 pic.twitter.com/YDu3tGC8MV

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

The passage of the planes much applauded@france24 pic.twitter.com/C4Kz6hTrHn

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

The others could not miss the remarkable passage of the Royal Air Force and its plume of tricolor smoke. Young and old then quietly put away dishes, plaids and cooler and took the way back in peace. "Bye bye Charles", say some as they pass Buckingham, already a little nostalgic.

« Bye-bye Charles » disent certains ⁦@FRANCE24⁩ pic.twitter.com/RTK2r3toyi

— Aude Abback-Mazoué (@audemazoue) May 6, 2023

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