King Charles III coronation - the people in London
Oh, it’s going to rain again!
After 70 years of reign, Queen Elizabeth II left the throne to her first son, Charles, in 2022. Her coronation in 1953 was a huge event: it is believed 3 million people lined the streets of London to witness her 5 miles route in the Gold State Coach form Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and back. Several Magnum photographers, like Inge Morath, Werner Bischof and Robert Capa, were photographing the event. Like Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1937, for the coronation of King George VI (there is an exhibition now for this occasion at the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation in Paris until September 3, 2023, and a book coming out that I already pre-ordered), some of the most interesting images were of the people, the public, and not the royalty: every media outlet would have those.
Fast forwards 70 years in 2023, the new King Charles III was coronated on May 6 with a similar event to the previous monarchs. This time the route was much shorter, around 1.3 miles. From Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey the King and Queen Consort Camilla opted for the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, breaking tradition, and using the Gold State Coach only for the return trip.
The whole route, the Westminster Abbey area and Buckingham palace were all fenced off: to be able to witness the passage of the Royals from inside the fence many people got there the day or night before to get a spot and camped overnight. Now, that’s dedication! The same happened on the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee on June 5th, 2022, and again on the days leading up to her funeral on September 19, 2022. On that occasion, an estimated 250.000 people queued for miles and overnight for the chance to pay homage to the Queen lying in state. It is a testament to the popularity of the Royal Family and the love many people have for them.
Like many other photographers without official accreditation, I decided to travel to London to document the day even if I wouldn’t have a chance to even catch a glimpse of the new King and Queen Consort. They weren’t of interest to me, I was looking forward to see the people that were celebrating (or protesting!) during the occasion.
He doesn’t look as enthused as the sister
The weather forecast was dire for the day, and boy it rained! It drizzled, it poured, and it never showed a ray of sunshine. A perfect English day! And, as usual, the British were unfazed about the wet day. They were out in droves, many with umbrellas or weatherproof gear, none minding the rain. Try that in Italy, and you’ll see deserted streets in minutes!
The King and his celebrating subjects in the rain
In the images of the previous coronations, both in 1937 and in 1953, you can see people using mirrors and periscopes to be able to catch a glimpse of the parading royalty: it was a good way to see over the heads and shoulders of the people in the best spots. I didn’t see any of that: I do know there were some periscopes on sale, but the fencing was so high and so far from the proceedings that very few people had any. In some places, like in front of Charing Cross station, some people climbed on top of the iconic red phone booths to get to see above the fencing: those booths are around 140 meters from where the Royals would briefly appear!
I’d love to know what they could see from there!
On the other hand, something that you don’t see much in the images from 1937 and 1953 and that was really prevalent for King Charles III coronation was the enormous amount of Union Flag merchandise on sale and worn by the celebrants. Hats, tops, brollies, bags, full dresses, flags from tiny to full sized. It was a Union Flag overload!
Overall the atmosphere was quite cheerful and joyous, and it was quite nice to see the Police and volunteers not having much trouble with the crowds. On the other hand, in Trafalgar Square there was a protest with the Not My King movement. When I was there the mood was not tense, but there was an attrition with the Police as soon as they intervened when a protester tried to climb the fence. There the Police was a bit less relaxed.
Some nice scenes in most areas
Things are a bit less relaxed here in Trafalgar Square
In truth the protesters were really pacific: at no point I felt there was any dangerous tension, although later in the day some arrests were made, amongst those the leader of the Not My King movement. There were even families and children among the protesters.
Protesters of all ages were in Trafalgar Square
When I tried to get closer to Westminster Abbey coming from Embankment, the crowds were channelled onto the pedestrian pavement and, closer to Westminster Bridge, it was hardly possible to walk. I was never even in line of sight of the church, and it took a long time to disentangle myself from the mass of people to get on the bridge. The response team were simply shouting that there was nothing to see and to move away, back to Embankment. Why was everyone allowed to walk towards the bottleneck then? Either close it off or let more people through making it wider, so we are not pressed like sardines.
“nothing to see here, go back” was the crowd control mantra close to Westminster Bridge
To get away from Westminster Bridge and the press of people I crossed over to the South Bank, where those with no interest in the Royal proceedings were going about as normal. The King Charles III coronation was not forgotten though, there were signs of it everywhere.
She doesn't seem impressed by the ride!
In the afternoon after the King and Queen Consort were back in Buckingham Palace the skies really opened up. Celebrations over, all the celebrants found their way back home quite wet. The Underground stations closest to the coronation route were partially closed to herd the crowd around the block and disperse it a little. The atmosphere was still positive, but people were tired.
At this point it was pouring, and everyone was wet. Still, plenty of smiles in sight
Even the children are unfazed by the weather
What transpired from this day for me was the incredible support that the Royal Family still enjoys from the British, and as a foreigner this really makes me curious. Also, the anti-monarchy movement was present but it seemed to be a small minority compared to the supporters.
I will leave you with a few more images from the day. Please let me know in the comments what you think!
A supporter in front of the National Gallery
The British cosmopolitan society is a wonderful thing
Campers going home after the coronation
Crowd control at Oxford Circus Underground station
Very dapper man in my favourite outfit of the day