The rain failed to dampen anyone’s spirits – both in mind and cup (Picture: Rex Features)
There isn’t a single way May 6 could have been more British if it tried.
On the day Charles was crowned King, London was flooded with Union Jack flags, they sky was iconically grey, everything was a bit wet and absolutely everyone was talking about how it was ‘a bit wet’.
Not to mention that that the entire day’s activities revolved around queuing.
The Mall was closed off by 8.30am so thousands were ushered towards Hyde Park where they huddled under umbrellas and raincoats to watch the ceremony on the big screen.
For most people, who had not been camping on the Mall for more than a week, the majority of the day was spent walking from one viewing point to another.
But this really what everything was about – besides the country officiating its new head of state and all.
It was in all the waiting that families began chatting with each other and randomly breaking out into choruses of ‘God save the King’ and ‘three cheers for the King’ which was (always) met with ‘hip hip hooray’.
Strangers were forced so close to each other they may as well have been cuddling – but that is not be a very British description.
People came despite the poor weather (Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)
In the interest of accurate reporting, we would be amiss not to mention that there were one or two ‘excuse me, I can’t see anythings’ from people who had chosen to travel into central London on one of the busiest days of the year and then get annoyed that there was a crowd.
But this was certainly the minority and can be excused given that it was definitely more than ‘a bit wet’.Metro.co.uk can report that it was just wet.
One group’s attitude earned them a special mention – Heidi Porter and her pomeranians Coco and Peanut.
Heidi Porter, from Epsom, brought her dogs to central London in a silver cross Balmoral pram (Picture: Metro)
Coronation of King Charles III latest
The historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place in Westminster Abbey today (May 6).
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For all the latest royal updates, visit Metro.co.uk’s dedicated coronation page.
Coco, front, and Peanut seemed to be revelling in the excitement (Picture: Metro)
Heidi, from Epsom, wore boots with sequined Union Jack flags topped with prints of Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Just in case the shoes didn’t make it clear that we were in Britain, she was also pushing a pram covered in Union Jack bunting.
The pram, a silver cross Balmoral, was used to transport Coco and Peanut who wore red and blue jumpers for the day sleeping Peanut was clearly very excited for.
The next person we happened upon our travels was ‘Piper James’, who was the only visitor who dared to utter the word ‘Diana’.
Piper James said he wished people would remember Diana more (Picture: Metro)
He said he ‘piped for Diana’ (Picture: Metro)
Kitted out in a kilt and a cape with ‘Diana’ written across the back, Piper James told us he wished people paid some remembrance to the People’s Princess, as he himself ‘piped for her’ in his army days.
As we parted ways, he played a tune on his bag pipe to send us off, which sounded suspiciously like Coronation Street’s outro music.
Eventually reaching the Mall, which took much longer than necessary due to a lack of anyone having any idea where we needed to go (including the ushers), we saw parents rushing to get the best and driest spot they could manage for their children.
Oliver, centre, pictured with twins Gabriella, 6, and Karolina, 9, dressed for the occasion (Picture: Metro)
But it was the children who were ruling the roost here, with many dressed up as fairy tale Kings and Queens and looking undeniably adorable.
But suddenly, everyone seemed to fall quiet and abandon their formerly-prized umbrellas so they could look upwards.
The red arrows had filled the once-grey sky with blue, red and white smoke – a welcome change from the dismal skyline which failed to show an ounce of brightness all day long.
As soon as the colourful smoke dispersed, the majority of the crowd all collectively chose to seek shelter in Piccadilly Station as we all agree we didn’t spend enough time smushed up against each other earlier.
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It was wet.
