It is 70 years since the Londoner’s Diary last covered a coronation, that of Elizabeth II. How much has changed? To find out, we had a mooch through our archive.
In 1953, we reported on a behind-the-scenes row between the Coronation Council and the BBC. Journalists at the Beeb were annoyed when the council banned TV cameras from the sacred part of the coronation ceremony. A ban that still stands now.
Elsewhere we wrote that the peeresses were advising each other to bring smelling salts to Westminster Abbey so that they could stay awake during the long ceremony. This year, many aristocrats were not invited. Nurses and volunteers are guests of honour instead.
And we told of Londoners boycotting buses and travelling on foot during the coronation weekend after the London transport authority was blamed for severe traffic jams. Prepare for déjà vu this weekend?
A scotch egg for the King?
How should the King be depicted in his first post-Coronation portrait? We quizzed art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon on the subject as he opened an exhibition of portraiture at the Mall Galleries. Instead of being shown on horseback like Charles I, “who ended up being thrown off his horse”, Charles III should be painted “eating a Scotch egg in a pub”. Graham-
Dixon thinks such a painting would best reflect the King’s common touch and “his capacity to surprise us” — and it would also show off his “fine English tailoring.”
Dressing to impress
London’s oldest tailors, Ede & Ravenscroft, has helpfully decked out some of its shopfronts with ceremonial dress before the Coronation. It should prove helpful for any passing dignitaries who need a new fitting. A branch in Oxford, pictured, has dressed one of its window mannequins in Garter robes, worn by the grandest knights in the land. They will surely be flying off the shelves.
The case of the missing quiche
Guests at the King’s first garden party this week noted a surprising absence. “There was a huge selection of things to eat,” said a guest but Coronation quiche was off the menu. The recipe was created by Buckingham Palace to mark the celebrations. Not that anyone went hungry. “There were finger sandwiches, lots of mini afternoon tea cakes, and a chocolate torte, which was delicious.”
Knitwear fit for a King
Street artist Pegasus has created a Coronation tribute to the King with a Sex Pistols twist. The piece, pictured, will go on sale soon. On the Mall, Royal Society of Portrait Painters president Anthony Connolly opened the annual exhibition with Andrew Graham-Dixon. Up the road at the palace, designer India Hicks enjoyed the King’s garden party. Gyles Brandreth showed off his regal knitwear while legendary primatologist Dr Jane Goodall sported a royal honour from the King of the Netherlands.
