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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Jacob Farr & Lee Dalgetty

Edinburgh public gather in their hundreds to celebrate King Charles III Coronation

A massive screen has been erected at West Princes Street Gardens so that residents and tourists in Edinburgh are able to take in the Coronation of King Charles III.

Around 200 people have braved the dreich weather to show their support and mark the historic occasion.

The Coronation began at 11am on Saturday May 6 and the Ross Bandstand theatre was filled with royal fans as they looked to join the royal family in celebrating the Coronation of both Charles III and Camilla.

READ MORE: King’s coronation Live: Edinburgh locals take to the streets to celebrate new monarch

The Coronation concert is also set to be shown live from the Gardens on Sunday May 7.

Pam and Yvonne have travelled from Cumbria to celebrate the Coronation and they say they have noticed a different vibe between back home in England and Scotland.

They say that there have been celebrations unfolding for weeks back in Cumbria but that it seems as though Scotland is not as excited about the Coronation.

They said: "We do like the royal family and we appreciate what they do with bringing in tourism.

"It is part of our culture.

"Throughout history when the country has been in a bit of a downer we have had something like this to bring everyone together.

"It does cost a lot but the money they generate through tourism is a lot and without them I don’t know what sort of economy we would have.

"From that point of view people do come together and we were saying earlier that in Cumbria there has been street parties and afternoon teas and competitions going on for weeks and people are excited about it.

"It is definitely different in Scotland, we have the only flags that we have seen."

Hannah, Ben Keane and Mia Williams have all come to the Gardens to celebrate the Coronation.

They feel that is a momentous historic occasion, they say it has been strange since the Queen died and that Charles’ role will be to try to set the stage for his son to take over a modern monarchy.

They said: “I think this is important just now to bring everyone together because there's such a divide between people who like the monarchy and people who don't in Scotland especially and it's just a huge part of history so, why not?

“I think it has been stranger ever since the Queen died. It's been a very different shift in the monarchy and I think opinions have changed a lot.

“But I think one of the things about the monarchy is that it still goes on. It's got that stability, more than a politician ever has or like a president in the USA or anything like that.

“And as well, they're not political, they're there for everybody, and although you can't always look up to them, they're there for somebody to think, oh, you know, I figure out you can go out and help a charity event and do that sort of thing.

“They're just always there and it does, in certain terms of a country, sort of government and history, it does give a sense of stability and as well, the whole pomp and ceremony is just really cool as well.

“I think Charles will definitely make it more modern but I think that he'll still make the monarchy more liked like the queen did.

“I think a big part of his role is going to be, although it sounds a bit sad, is going to be getting it ready for Prince William.

“Prince William is gonna have to be this new king. But I think I think he's got a big role to change because he does really have to get his work together and see how he can keep the tradition, but still bring it into the modern area a bit more than his mom did.

“But obviously, we still love Lizzie.”

Rachel, who has travelled to the UK for 14 days from Florida, has said that she is honoured to witness the Coronation.

She says that she has been a royal fan for a number of years and even woke up at 5am back home to watch Diana’s wedding.

She said: “We are, we are visiting for 14 days.

“It was just by luck that we are here during the coronation and I couldn't be more honoured to be honest.

“I have been a Royals fan from the word go. I remember waking up early like five o'clock in the morning for Princess Diana's wedding.

“So, I mean, I've been just a long time, just like a huge Royals fan and the fact that the king is being Coronated, that is unbelievable.

“It's a once in a lifetime event, you know.

“I think they are pretty big shoes to fill but he's going to be amazing. You know, the queen was beautiful and wonderful and lovely and I'm so sad she's gone.

“I think that King Charles is going to be an amazing asset for the future of the royals in general going into a newer generation.

On the cost of the ceremony at a time where the cost of living crisis is taking hold, she said: “I mean, I don't want to be offensive to anybody at all. I think everyone is entitled to their opinions, you know.

“In the United States we vote in our leaders every four years, sometimes better leaders than others. But I think that it's a huge (the Coronation) part of the UK in general.

“It does feel a little bit antiquated, but at the same time it feels like an important part of society here and, you know, the United States is also struggling.

“But I mean the beauty of it here is you don't get shot so there is also that.”

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