Britain Celebrates Coronation With Street Parties And Concerts

Party-goers flocked to parties in tens of thousands of streets across Britain on Sunday, which celebrated the coronation of King Charles III ahead of his 20,000-person concert at Windsor Castle.

Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, were at a private reception as Buckingham Palace said they are “deeply moved” by Saturday’s events at Westminster Abbey.
They will attend the evening concert at Castle West London. Attendees began lining up mid-afternoon.

Prince William and Lady Kate surprised fans with an unannounced visit at the Long Walk in Windsor. Meanwhile, he sipped homemade cocktails with a family of royal fans before the heir to the throne made a speech at the concert.

Charles’s coronation as monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth countries around the world was the first in Britain for 70 years.

The glittering ceremony, steeped in 1,000 years of tradition and ritual, was attended by global royalty and world leaders, as well as hundreds of community and charity representatives from across the UK.

But Sunday’s events are a shift in emphasis.

While the coronation ceremony has its roots in the England of 1066, “Big Lunch” parties nationwide look to bring modern Britain’s communities closer.

“It’s lovely… you need these things to bring the community together,” Annette Cathcart, 67, told AFP from at a party at the village hall in Ashley Green, in Buckinghamshire, southern England.

“It’s the perfect way to celebrate.”

– Community spirit –

Monday has been declared a public holiday — meaning people can let loose on Sunday without having to worry about a hangover.

After the post-World War II hardships, street parties were a major feature of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation — and a memorable part of celebrations for her long reign in 1977 and her platinum jubilee last year.

The Big Lunch initiative is an attempt to keep alive that more neighbourly spirit. More than 67,000 were planned, according to organisers Eden Project Communities.

Coronation Quiche — the specially created, baked savoury tart featuring spinach, broad beans and tarragon — was set to appear at numerous tables.

The king’s sister, Princess Anne, attended a street party in Windsor, where his nieces Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie — Prince Andrew’s daughters — were also at a big lunch.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted a lunch at Downing Street, inviting community volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and dignitaries including US First Lady Jill Biden.

The British leader was joined by his wife, two daughters and the family dog, Nova, who sported a union flag bandana.

– Winnie the Pooh –

Attention turned to Windsor later Sunday, where Take That, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry are among the stars performing at the concert that harks back to previous royal jubilees of the late queen.

Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel — who sang during the coronation service — will also be performing, along with Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Andrea Bocelli, Paloma Faith and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise, actress Joan Collins, adventurer Bear Grylls and singer Tom Jones will appear via video message.

Downton Abbey and Paddington actor Hugh Bonneville will host.

A series of pre-recorded sketches will reveal little-known facts about Charles and include moments from beloved literary character Winnie the Pooh.

The Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art will come together for a one-off performance.

Buckingham Palace has said the centrepiece would be “Lighting up the Nation”, in which well-known locations across Britain will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

– ‘This is boring’ –

The palace issued a statement saying Charles and Camilla were “deeply touched” by Saturday’s history-making events.

It added they were “profoundly grateful both, to all those who helped to make it such a glorious occasion”.

It reportedly wasn’t all smooth sailing for Charles on the day.

The king grumbled about not being “on time” and that “this is boring” as a hiccup delayed the start of his coronation, according to a lip reader who analysed footage of the monarch for Sky News.

The once-in-a-generation spectacle dominated British media Sunday, with focus on the magnificence of the ceremony despite the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

The cost of the coronation — reported to be upwards of £100 million ($126 million) — has caused disquiet as many Britons struggle with rising bills and widespread strikes.

Many covered the arrest of anti-monarchists even before they had a chance to protest, which has prompted heavy criticism from rights groups.

The BBC said more than 14 million watched the ceremony on its two main terrestrial channels — well down on previous major royal occasions.