A Royal Retrospective Ahead of the Coronation

As we, in London, gather around to witness the Coronation of King Charles III, I have had many fond discussions with colleagues at Innesco , friends and family about the role of the monarchy today and in the future (who can forget the recent biographies and Netflix series - some will want to!) - but one particular matriarch of the Innes family, Judith, my dear Mother, remembers the last Coronation vividly, and put some fabulous words down - on her iPad!

I felt it would be interesting for many here to read about what that day was like for those witnessing the last #coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, from someone who remembers that special day firsthand.

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The Coronation of 1953 - by Judith Innes

70 years ago minus a month, I was 10 years old - old enough to make a Victoria sponge without help or a machine, and old enough to retain some quite clear memories of the last Coronation.

Like most people we watched, with family, friends and neighbours, crowded into the front room of someone lucky enough to own the newest, much-coveted luxury - a Television Set. It was tiny by modern standards (like an iPad) in a heavy, dark-wood cabinet and of course only in black and white. It was another 15 years before we acquired, as newlyweds, one of the first colour TVs - we can have seen little, but the commentary had the reverential, soothing tones of Richard Dimbleby.

The house was that of my childless and thus comparatively well-off cousins. It was in a village some distance from our home in Derby, and we had no car - so I suppose the buses must have been running! Even the service, never mind the processions, lasted 3 hours, so I think I remember going outside for some of the time.

Refreshments? Well, butter and ham didn’t come off ration till the following year, so I doubt they would have measured up to today’s expectations. I’m sure there were refreshments though, probably sausage rolls and maybe pork pies - hopefully from that Derby institution Bird’s Confectioners, a place where long queues formed because they preferred to run out rather than drop their standards. In a rush of nostalgia writing this, I researched on line and discovered that not only is the business still in existence, but it has dramatically increased its size into the whole of the Midlands with 60 outlets. There would have been fairy and sponge cakes too and plenty of biscuits.

My impressions were coloured up by receiving, from school, a beautiful coronation mug - of bone china no less! I was also inspired to make a coronation scrapbook, from newspaper and magazine cuttings -well organised and collated, although the writing leaves something to be desired. We were great at projects then, stuck in with Gloy, and without the benefit of internet or Pritt sticks. I even ambitiously started an embroidery sampler , which i still have .....unfinished!

My final object from that time is a beautifully made tiny metal toy replica of the coronation coach and horses which has kept in excellent condition and is admired by my grandchildren .

The present coronation is said to be ‘pared down’, but 1953 certainly lit up drab post-war Britain despite its restrictions. I wonder how many memories and souvenirs today’s 10-year-olds will retain in 70 years’ time!

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