A Vision employee was honoured with an invitation to attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Nina Simon, who works with Redbridge Libraries was surprised to receive the invitation at first:
My first reaction was “is this a scam?” On confirming its authenticity, my next thought was “why me?”
Only when the ornate invitation, edged beautifully with flowers, insects and birds slid through my letterbox, did it actually dawn on me that I was going to be sitting in Westminster Abbey, witnessing this momentous historic occasion.
Nina Simon, https://domorercl.wordpress.com/2023/05/15/my-day-at-the-kings-coronation-by-nina-simon/
Nina was one of just 2,000 invited guests to witness the historic occasion. The invitation itself was originally hand-painted in watercolours before being reproduced onto recycled card.
It featured many aspects of British nature including the national flowers of each nation alongside lily of the valley, cornflowers, wild strawberries, dog roses, bluebells and a sprig of rosemary for remembrance.
Within the foliage can also be seen a lion, a unicorn and a boar – taken from the monarchs’ coats of arms – as well as a bee, a butterfly, a ladybird, a wren and a robin.
People gathered from all over the globe to come together and watch the momentous day but few were inside Westminster Abbey itself. This has been the location of Coronation ceremonies for the last nine centuries in the United Kingdom.
Nina tells us that she was expected to be waiting to enter the Abbey by 7.15am on Saturday 6 May and that the Abbey doors shut at 8.30am.
She talks about the talent of some of the people chosen to sing at the ceremony and the gravitas that could be felt throughout the venue.
You can see a full version of the Order of Service here.
People watching was on another level. As well as spotting Ant and Dec, Lionel Ritchie, Jay from Repair Shop, Dame Floella Benjamin and the Chief Rabbi, Rishi Sunak also walked past me, escorted by a sword carrying soldier.
Nina Simon, https://domorercl.wordpress.com/2023/05/15/my-day-at-the-kings-coronation-by-nina-simon/
There were many well-known people in attendance on the day. Nina also talks about enjoying getting to see some of the national uniforms worn, such as the red yeoman uniforms with their spears.
The opulence and majesty of the two purple crowns emphasised the weight of responsibility of the position the King and Queen swore to uphold.
Nina Simon, https://domorercl.wordpress.com/2023/05/15/my-day-at-the-kings-coronation-by-nina-simon/
You can read Nina’s full account of the day on our blog, click here.
