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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Lucy Williamson & Sam Ormiston

Fights break out over UMBRELLAS in crowds as royal fans get soaked waiting for King

Fights broke out between miserable royal fans left soaked trying to catch a glimpse of King Charles as tens of thousands of people descended on London for his coronation.

Eyewitnesses reported that there were a number of scuffles in the crowd near Westminster Abbey and Whitehall as people were forced to put umbrellas up to shield them from the rain.

But this resulted in some royal super fans having their view of the procession blocked.

A number of incidents broke out in the crowd just minutes before the golden carriage carrying King Charles' and Queen Camilla was due to come past along the 1.4-mile route.

The grim weather did not stop Brits and tourists alike from descending on The Mall to witness history, the first coronation since the late Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.

Some fans even spent £600 on flights from America to watch the event, while others were forced to spend huge amounts of money on umbrellas and Union Jack ponchos, MyLondon reports.

A small number of protestors were arrested over the King's coronation (PA)

But many royalists were left disappointed as the Mall was closed off for well over two hours due to crowd control reasons.

One woman, who had travelled all the way down on the nightbus from Scotland, said that the police officers directing them had 'no idea' what was going on.

Many have been forced to head towards Hyde Park or the St James' Park area - nowhere near the procession.

Others have took shelter in pubs - some of which were absolutely jam packed.

Earlier in the morning, a small amount of protesters holding placards saying 'not my King' have been spotted in different parts of Central London.

A number of people were arrested near Trafalgar Square where a white van loaded with hundreds of 'not my King' placards were confiscated by officers.

It comes as plans for tonight's King's coronation concert have been thrown into chaos as one of the performers was forced to pull out last minute due to a 'mystery illness'.

Freya Ridings will no longer take part in the spectacle alongside the likes of Katy Perry and Take That.

But singer Zak Abel will reportedly take her place.

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