![]() Princess Charlotte, a poised Mini-me in matching headdress, had clearly been given the task of minding her little brother. In her royal blue and scarlet robes, with jewelled floral head-piece, Kate has never looked more beautiful. The Waleses looked so picture perfect they seem to have stepped out of a famous oil painting. What a load of has-beens the politicians looked in contrast to our steadfast monarchs. A grinning Liz Truss, our shortest-serving PM, was unembarrassable in bright pleats. Mrs Gordon Brown was drab in V-necked maroon (we know you’re a socialist, but you could make an effort!) Cherie Blair in pink. Wearing an ambitious hat, Theresa May appeared to be representing Hawaii. Samantha Cameron modelled an impeccable floral dress that matched the herbaceous royal invitation. In keeping with a more democratic UK, he gave a generous allocation of tickets to the youth groups that he has so brilliantly supported and to normal folk who have got the kind of humble gong that means they have done something rather than been somebody.Ī gaggle of former Prime Ministers plus spouses arrived together at the front door. In 1902, amid the maharajahs and county councillors (newly included that year to bring in more plebs), were the occupants of what was called “the Loose Box”, in which sat Edward VII’s, ahem, “female friends”. In fact, monarchy has always used coronations to ensure its survival, with guest lists cannily reflecting the broader shifts in society. Had their talents perhaps been deployed for winnowing out over-entitled Coronation wannabees? Ant and Dec: “Duke of Rutland? It’s NOT you!” Ambassadors for the Prince’s Trust, the TV duo are more usually found in less hallowed places, announcing the fate of contestants in the celebrity jungle. The Geordie jesters looked well chuffed to be there amid the foreign dignitaries. Certain aristocrats were known to be mighty peeved. Beforehand, there had been a hoo-ha about who had and hadn’t been invited to a gathering much reduced in size since Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation. Over at Westminster Abbey, guests had already started arriving. We can do squeezed sphincters, as well as stiff upper lips, should the need arise. Portable lavatories locked.” Quintessentially British, then. Translated from broadcasterese, 40 per cent chance of showers meant: “It’ll bucket down.” Clare skilfully stopped us dwelling on that possibility by somehow knowing the name of every horse that would be on parade.Ī friend who had camped overnight on the Mall texted me: “Mood wonderful. ![]() “Only a 40 per cent chance of showers,” she boomed in that ebullient, jolly-hockey-sticks style that suits these great national occasions so well. Not long after 8am, BBC1 commentator Clare Balding was determinedly upbeat. Would it cast a pall over the big day or could our longest-serving Prince of Wales come up smiling as the sun king? In short, would Eeyore be transformed by his people’s affection into Winnie the Pooh. The sky over Buckingham Palace changed from pale pigeon to a menacing pewter. ![]() You prayed that the awfully British weather had not dampened his spirits. The dear chap had waited 70 years for his Coronation. In the past, our former Prince of Wales was known to be prone to gloom. At least, please don’t rain on my reign, or so Charles III must have thought this morning. ![]()
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