Original subtitles

BELLS PEAL

CLARE BALDING: The bells ring out and while Huw was guiding us through

this service, this was happening outside - the rain was falling. But

within the rain we saw the formation of the largest military procession

in this country for 70 years - over 4,000 personnel from three military

services and the Commonwealth and marching bands on foot and mounted

will make this a feast for the eyes and ears. It stretches all the way

to Westminster. It is a magnificent sight. The Royal British Legion on

the inside around Parliament Square. And every regiment of the Army

represented. And at the head of this procession, leading the way, is the

Brigade Major Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw. His grandfather took

part in Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953. And the Mounted Band of the

Household Cavalry. Behind them the King's Troop.

King's Troop. And the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland leading

detachments from the realm and Commonwealth forces and they will be

flanked by 124 flag bearers, we have the RAF with group Commander Steven

Harrison. We have the Army royal corps and the Gurkhas. They will all

march off at the same time. They're waiting for a command from Andrew

Stokes from the Coldstream Guards, he is one of the leading architects

of this procession and indeed both processions. He will give a command,

that will be passed to the front and to every person and they will move

off at the same time and they will march to the same beat, indeed the

same tune, the first time that has been attempted. They have been

rehearsing for six weeks to ensure all the bands are synchronised. To

the back of the procession, you caught a glimpse of it already the

Gold State Coach. I suspect that fairy tales were inspired by this

coach. It was first seen in public in 1762 when George The Third roved

in rode in it to the State Opening of Parliament.

of Parliament. Brigadier Greville Bibby is alongside with me. I know

you're anticipating this hugely. It is an exciting and, I guess

impressive sight? It is. There was the garrison Sergeant Major, I was

speaking to him yesterday, confirming how on earth they get

everybody to step off at the same time. There is a prerecorded message

in the ear of every bass drummer of every band on parade. There is the

command. It will take a few seconds for that to filter down. And the

procession will off move off together.

That is remarkable. The whole parade started together and you notice that

he paused as it was being counted down in his ear. The same count down

for all the bass drummers. That is a remarkable feat. So begins The

Coronation Procession, the route back from Westminster Abbey to

Buckingham Palace and this is where the fun begins, because the service

quite rightly is solemn and serious. It was I think extremely emotional

for those taking part and for most people watching. But this is almost

a relief. Everything so far has gone absolutely like clockwork. And that

golden coach, although it has suspension that may not be the most

The most comfortable ride. It is gleaming. It has interior of satin

and velvet and the panels are painted with Roman Gods and

goddesses. Also ensures that the King and Queen are the driest people

on the parade! That is true. Here we see the Commonwealth troops and the

flags being carried on the outside as well. There are eight groups in

total in this Coronation Procession. The flags being carried from

guardsmen from the household kwigs. Division. We have the first of the

carriages following and you can see the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Prince George who, played such a good role as page Page of Honour.

And Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who was five last month. The

King and Queen. The King wearing his Imperial State Crown and carrying

the Sceptre with the cross and Orb and the robe of estates. The Queen

request her newly-made robe of state. The coach is drawn by eight

Windsor Greys. Among those riding for the first time Lucinda Parrett,

the first female rider. And Prince Louis has a good view. Princess

Charlotte waving, she is wearing a very beautiful dress. It is very

similar in design, almost matching the one that her mother is wearing.

And right at the front of the procession, half way

procession, half way down the Mall already. You see the Drum Horses at

the front, ridden by Corporal of the horse Richard Brown.

horse Richard Brown. We saw Apollo trying to misbehave at the

beginning. They did well to control him. He was being tricky. A very

quick change and leg up for the Princess Royal, you saw her leaving

Westminster Abbey through a side door. And in a matter of minutes,

she is now mounted and she is not far behind her brother the King. She

is Gold Stick in Waiting. The Colonel of the Blues and Royals. She

is a former Olympian and Open champion, so she know what is she is

doing. She is riding a horse called Falkland. There she is. Looking

extremely comfortable. I think the rain has eased up, you know? Just in

time! She is riding with the other colonels, with the regiments of the

Footguards. Next to her Lieutenant General. Further ahead in the

parade, the RAF make a particularly impressive sight, because of their

white gloves, you see the arms marching in time. You can feel the

energy coming back to the crowds, they have been watching the service

on the big screen. But this is what they have been waiting for. This is

lie they slept overnight to get a position, so as the procession came

by they would feel it as well as see it and catch a sight maybe of the

young Princes. And Princess Charlotte of Princess of Wales

designed by Alexander McQueen.

designed by Alexander McQueen. The Blues and Royals with their blue

tunics and behind the State Coach the Life Guards.

the Life Guards. That is their role, isn't it? The two regiments of

Household Cavalry, to protect the Monarch? They are the Sovereign's

Escort. When ever the Monarch is on a ceremonial parade, you will find

the Sovereign's Escort protecting him. The Gold State Coach also

flanked by watermen, Yeomen, palace footmen, grooms, all on foot. And 28

representatives from British Overseas Territories.

And Prince and Princess of Wales have recently enjoyed a visit to

Wales. They stayed in a B&B and went with the mountain rescue team to see

their work. The Royal Navy making the turn in front of the statue of

Charles The First. And through Admiralty Arch.

They are commanded by Captain Sophie Shaughnessy, a Royal engineer who

has served in Bosnia and the Gulf, and this is her last duty,

commanding the Royal Navy at the Coronation. And the Band of the

Royal Marines with their white helmets.

And I'm so, I think that royal blue on the Windsor greys, it is so

striking. There have been various colours used, silver for the Silver

Jubilee, gold for the Golden Jubilee. The King picking royal

blue.

Passing the Cenotaph, commemorating the women of World War II.

And back on the Mall, we can see the full glory of this enormous

procession. As we have said, the largest for 70 years, Greville. It

is. It is divided into very distinct groups. The Brigade Major leading

from the front, and then the Royal Air Force, closely followed by all

of the regiments from the Royal Army. The senior Army corps and

behind then the junior Army corps, and we will see all these different

regiments and units. In the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines bringing

up the rear, and it is a great honour for them, as the senior

service, they are the closest to the Monarch. And behind them, the

Footguards. They are dismounted.

The Gold State Coach making good progress down Whitehall. We will

pause for the National Anthem.

# Send him victorious

# Happy and glorious

# Long to reign over us

# God save the King

CHEERING

All five regiments of the Footguards now making that turn, and they will

have to funnel themselves through those three arches, so quite a feat

of organisation. It certainly is, and it is going to get even more

challenging when they come to the gates at Buckingham Palace.

We see there behind the Footguards, we have a number of different

organisations appearing, the King's bodyguard and the Yeomen of the

Guard, the Royal Company of Archers.

All five regiments of Footguards there, the Kings colour ahead of

them, and their regimental Lieutenant Colonel is on parade. And

today, the dismounted regiments of the Blues and Royals. The

Commonwealth troops in the overseas territories.

And it is wonderful to know the reach that today is having around

the world. 447 representatives of the Commonwealth Armed Forces, and

of course the King is Head of the Commonwealth, and very interested to

learn that he has managed to visit 45 of the 56 Commonwealth countries,

which is quite a feat. I think his first visit was at the age of five.

He went to Malta first of all, only a year after he attended the Queen's

Coronation, he was on his first official trip to a Commonwealth

country. You see that grandstand behind, they have got a lovely view

now. Back with the Prince and the Princess of Wales, and all the

children at the same school now, Lambrook School in Windsor, and

Princess it enjoys her gymnastics. The princes enjoy their sport as

well, and their parents are very keen for them to have an outdoor

childhood, as normal a childhood as is possible. And there we find Their

Royal Highnesses the Duke and jet chess in Edinburgh, with their

children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, and James, Earl

of Wessex. Louise's 19 now, studying English at St University. She will

be particularly appreciative of the driving of the carriages, carriage

driving a great love of hers. And in the final carriage, the Duke and

Duchess of gloss to an Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence. -- Duke and

Duchess of Gloucester.

# Long to reign over us

# God save the King

CHEERING

And the King and Queen Camilla have a chance now to really enjoy the

crowds who have gathered and acknowledge them as much as

possible. And, having got through... The Canadian mounted police, the

Mounties have a wonderful relationship with the crown. They

have over the years gifted many horses to the late Queen and indeed

to the King, he will ride for the King's Birthday Parade, the Trooping

the Colour, in future years. So the Mounties have a very prime position.

And I think all of those horses here have been gifted to the Royal

Family, so they are being ridden here, but they now belong to the

Royal Family. What an extraordinary thing for them to be able to do, to

come over from Canada and ride at the head of the Royal procession.

The Royal Air Force have reached the green Victoria Memorial, and I

mentioned this earlier. All of the marching elements to this will make

their way into the gardens of Buckingham Palace, and they will

form up there to salute the King. Because they are ahead of the Gold

State Coach, they haven't had the chance to see him since he has been

crowned, but they will in the gardens.

The Massed Bands of the Household Division. You are making the point

earlier about the importance of music to both the infantry and

indeed the cavalry, but that beat, the importance of keeping everybody

on a beat. It is, but also the idea that the music is a morale booster.

It lifts everybody. So if you were going into battle, to have music in

front of you is reassuring, and when the enemy hear that loud beat coming

towards them, it also puts fear into them, so it plays many different

parts quite apart from the ceremonial side.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Charlotte and Prince George

and Prince Louis enjoying their ride. Muller I was going to say

earlier, I think they might compete for best show and tell at school,

don't you think? I have to say, if we were awarding medals, medals to

all the pages. Penny Morduant, Lord of the Privy Council,. The ensigns

carrying the colours, they will be heavy with the rain. But she was

holding that ceremonial sword. There you have the Gurkhas. The much loved

Gurkhas from Nepal. And you see there the flags of the Commonwealth

nations. Saint and

Nevis on the left there. And the Princess of Wales looking absolutely

beautiful. The Prince of Wales is wearing underneath those robes the

uniform of the Welsh Guards. He is there colonel. And of course the

Princess of Wales as the Colonel of the Irish Guards. Both are wearing

formal robes and

mantles. And here we have the infantry, the red berries in the

middle which connect to the King. He was the first heir to the throne to

get his parachute wings, jumping out of an aeroplane. He did it in total

seven times. He said, if I'm going to be there colonel, I need to jump

out of aeroplanes. And back with the Gold State Coach.

And honestly, I think it is brightening all the time. Certainly

that gold looks to be gleaming evermore.

Representatives of the realms and dependent territories of Great

Britain either side, it is a great honour for them.

I was listening to Sir David Attenborough yesterday evening

talking about the importance of the Queen's Coronation 70 years ago in

terms of the history of television, and you look at all the personal

filming that is going on, and think what this represents in terms of

footage taken, individual footage taken. It must be covered by more

cameras, if you see what I mean, official cameras and personal

cameras, than any event ever.

So, that grandstand on the left is where we have members of the NHS,

care workers, veterans and those representing various charities. Good

move there from the Royal Navy. This is the manoeuvre I was talking about

earlier. You can see the gate top right where they are all going

through, and this is a new military manoeuvre which has been designed

specifically for this parade to reduce the flanking, turning a

frontage of 12 into a frontage of six. So it is halving its self? Yes,

and the Navy executed that perfectly. You can see the street

line is there, still standing there. They have been there since nine

o'clock this morning, the Coldstream Guards saluting the Royal Family.

And I wanted to ask you about the five pace gap of the street line is.

How is that measured? You can see the garrison Sergeant Major in the

background, carrying the stick, and that is called a pace stick, and it

is when it is opened, it is a 30 inch pace, and they use it to get

the five paces that they need between each street liner. There was

a pace stick World Championships, did you know that? I didn't. Held in

Sandhurst every year.

Prince Louis is enjoying this, I think! He is only a year older than

the King was when he attended the Queen's Coronation. But all of them

will remember this. They are old enough to remember it, and anybody

here today. It is a day they will never forget.

You can see the Life Guards there and the Blues and Royals either side

of the Stagecoach. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke is

patron of many charities including the National youth Theatre, the

British Paralympic Association, the sport and recreation alliance as

well. You can see the movement of the Gold State Coach, and the reason

why they didn't want to have it on the way to Westminster Abbey, I

think it would make you feel quite seasick. It has been compared by

those who have written in it is like riding on rough seas.

Just to say on iPlayer you can if you wish select uninterrupted

commentary-free coverage, or if you require more detail we have a signed

version on BBC Two and the full coverage on iPlayer available

immediately and highlights tonight.

You see the back of the procession, the front of it already has reached

the Gardens of Buckingham Palace. The back of it now into its last

section down the Mall, colours being lowered. As the State Coach goes by.

The soldiers will use their rifles to salute. The young officers

carrying the colours will lower the colours. It is difficult when it is

wet, because they will be three times the weight. King Charles III

is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, that role he inherited

on the death of Queen Elizabeth. He is field Marshall, Admiral of the

Fleet and Marshall of the RAF. And Captain general of the Royal

Marines.

You can see bottom left, the colour, down saluting, as the King goes by.

Talking of colours and flags, some of the horsemen have been heroic,

I'm sure the viewers have spotted a number of horses who have clearly

been spooked by the waving flags and cheering crowds. That is a hazard of

ceremonial duty, but it is amazing the way they manage to control their

horses in such circumstances. Particularly the musicians. They

don't necessarily have hands on the reins.

You see Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, back right of the

Gold State Coach, so relaxed in the saddle. It is not easy, the point

is, it is not easy riding, but riding in uniform, in boots that

have no grip, that are stiff, that makes it harder. They have also got

spurs on as well, which are quite sharp. And should they inadvertently

allow a spur to wander into the side of a horse. It will take off! Not

ideal!

The Prince and Princess of Wales have been on a trip to Wales, they

want to reinforce that link with Wales as a country, with

Welsh-produced goods and form an even deeper bond. There is the Guard

of Honour again. You see the standard of the Coldstream Guards.

Only ever carried in the presence of the Monarch. One of two colours.

There is the Louis! He has done so well.

The escort pulls off to left. I don't think they will be going into

the gardens. I'm sure the gardeners wouldn't be happy if those horses a

s appeared on their lawn. As the Gold State Coach disappears, we have

one last look at Prince Louis there and the Prince and Princess of Wales

and Prince George and Princess Charlotte. We will next see all

those involved marching on procession, formed up in the

gardens. Behind the Palace. And the chance to personally salute the King

and Queen. And that is was impressive in scale and execution

and accuracy and uplifting. So uplifting. And so unique to get

representatives from across all the Armed Forces on parade at the same

time together to celebrate the new Monarch. And credit to those who

planned it and the work that's gone in rehearsing, some of the

rehearsals through the middle of the night. Indeed and we expect our

ceremonial troops and others to do a good job, that is what we have come

to expect, but so many of the personnel on parade today, it is not

what they do every day. They come off their ships, come from their air

bases and their regimental barracks all over the country and indeed the

world to perform today. You can see the colours of regiments

represented, colours and standard, around the Queen Victoria memorial.

A wonderful sight, hugely enjoyed by those present and those watching and

one last duty for those military personnel to perform.

personnel to perform. KIRSTY YOUNG: Thank you.

To share their thoughts on this extraordinary day are historian

and broadcaster David Olusoga and Daily Mail writer Robert Hardman.

What a spectacle? What is your reactionsome To have seen, that

medieval sight of a King in his shirt kneeling before the altar,

Zadok builds to the crescendo and the crowning moment, timeless. The

fabulous parade that has come through the streets here, the

biggest parade since 1953. So much tradition, but so many modernizing

touches. So many elements of that Coronation, seeing the number of

women processing, key roles, Penny Mordaunt, one of the great officers

of state, right at the front, female Bishops. It is a very 21st Century

Coronation. It has not changed much since the Old Testament. David to

inside the Abbey. What were you thinking? As Robert said, this is an

ancient and medieval tradition, to see things that almost nobody has

seen. To have adult memories of last Coronation, you've to be in your

90s. There are around 6,000 people. More than 99% have never witnessed

that. A tradition that has lain dormant can be revived and see in

all its complexity, it is quite remarkable. Looking at the face of

the King, there fs a moment when we looked at each other, the moment

when the Princess of Wales pledged his allegiance and oath to his

father and kissed him on the cheek, that is the moment I felt our King

looked most pregnant with emotion? It incredibly touching for him and

almost a reminder of the moment at the Queen's Coronation in 1953, the

ceremony cracks when Prince Philip gave her a kiss and it is a moment

when family breaks there s through the tradition. That was a very

poignant seen. And Queen Camilla, I didn't have time to ask you before

the service about Queen Consort versus Queen Camilla, it is correct

to use either or both, but now seems the time when the Palace and the

nation feels comfortable with the Queen Camilla. That is one of the

changes we have seen, before now Queen Consort was the official term

that people used and people didn't want to confuse the Queen, Queen

Camilla, with the late Queen, the same way Queen Elizabeth became the

Queen mother. You go through that order of service, you won't find the

word consort at all. It is Queen Camilla from beginning to end.

Inside the Palace, they sometimes refer to TQC, the Queen Consort,

they can do the Queen Camilla. That was the moment. She is in Latin. It

is in the order of service. David Olusoga, the parade, that contrast,

you know there was solemnity and then the drums, they beat and we all

raised ourselves up for that, even through the rain, very colourful and

vibrant and it continues, this wonderful parade? If the ceremony

took us back to the 11th century and Westminster Abbey becoming the site

of Coronation, this is very different to 1953, the scale is

reduced and in some ways that is a good thing. All this colour and this

other tradition has been marshalled so quickly is amazing. What about

this Royal Salute, we are about to see, there is something again that

none of us have seen, it is one of those days in the back garden of

Buckingham Palace, what is it about? In a way it is recognising the

effort the Armed Forces have put in. They have been rehearsing sometimes

through the middle of night, in the pouring rain, they're proud to come

and absolute their commander-in-chief. But if you're on

parade, the one thing you almost never see is the commander-in-chief,

because you have to march in front of him. It was an idea of the old

Marshall and the King that everyone who takes part should be given the

opportunity to salute their commander-in-chief at the end. The

idea is march them through to the guarden, I'm sorry for the gardener,

he has a garden party next Tuesday as well. It gets worse. They will

march through and clearly the horses are staying, they have a different

route, that would have been too much for the gardener. They will line up

on the lawn, the largest lawn in London and face their King and now

he is getting out of Gold State Coach, and heaving mostly a sigh of

relief. He is walking from the east side, through to the west front, out

on to the terrace and there he will take the salute of his troops. I

think he will be very grateful to them and they will be pleased to see

him. Let's join Clare again. She is ready to tell us the scene that is

being set in the garden of Buckingham Palace. CLARE BALDING:

Thank you. The King's Troop going through and they play such an

important role. We mentioned we don't think the horses will be

making their way on to the lawns, but a rare opportunity to see the

gardens of Buckingham Palace and all those who were on the foot for the

procession have formed up. They will be saluting the King. 39 acres in

total, the largest private gardens in London, over 1,000 trees, 320

plant species. It is here that the King's love of gardening began, when

the Queen gave him and his sister a small vegetable plot in the gardens.

And the central feature is the lake.

Created in the 19th century. Today a self-regulating eco-system, fed from

the Buckingham Palace bore hole. A wonderful sight?

It is, a wonderful site. 18 different sets of pipes and drums,

all playing.

KIRSTY: What an astonishing and special site that is. A quite a

remarkable show for the King, the Queen and the rest of us, hopefully

we should still have a fly-past to come as well, and whilst that

wonderful military procession was in full flow,.

Sophie Raworth caught Bishop Guli and Bishop Rose-Hudson Wilkin

as they left the Abbey after The Coronation Service.

I am here with two bishops, the first two of three female bishops

who have ever taken part in a coronation. What was that a moment

like for you? Inevitably a huge honour and a privilege, there was so

much innovation in that service as well as that historic elements, but

for us, a privilege to be among the first three women bishops, the first

time it has been possible, and a real joy for us. Excited, surprised

and honoured, deeply honoured to be part of this historic moment,

once-in-a-lifetime. And the moment when the screens went around the

King, you were so close to it all. What was that like? It felt to me

like the most intimate part of the service. It becomes very private

between the King and God, and then the beautiful screens, and that

spine chilling moment when Zadok the Priest begins, and you have a sense

that something is happening, even if it is the least visible part of the

service, so very special. He emerges from the screen, undressed almost,

and you think, something is happening here, something has

happened, and of course Zadok the Priest for me to, I felt

transported. And Bishop Rose, you gave Queen Camilla, the consort's

Rod to touch. How does that feel? How does one from Jamaica come to be

right at the heart of it? It was such an honour and privilege to be

part of it. It is going to stay with me forever. And you are both right

there, very much at the heart of it, making history yourselves. The

atmosphere inside the Abbey, what was it like? It was joyful, really

joyful, but also the profound and intimate moments, the deeply sacred

moments. The giving of holy Communion is at the heart of every

Christian service, it is what we do all the time. The ceremony, but in a

religious context. Bishop Rose, Bishop Guli, thank you both very

much, and congratulations on your role today.

CLARE: Perfect timing, back in the gardens of the national palace.

Lieutenant Colonel James Coleby will give the command for the salute, and

then the National Anthem will be led by Lieutenant Colonel David

Barringer.

We just saw their the retiring regimental Lieutenant of the Welsh

Guards, he is giving the signal to Their Royal Highnesses that the

parade are ready to receive them. It is his last act in uniform.

And we look there at the shot of those who were on parade, 4000 of

them who played a key role today. Right at the back, the pipes and

drums, and then the Commonwealth countries, 33 of them here

representing 56 Nations and realms. The RAF, we saw 520 of them on

parade today. At every regiment of the Army represented, the regular

and reserves. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines, easily spotted by

their white helmets. And the five regiments that are the troops of the

Royal Household in the front there, and ahead of them, that whole row as

the colours, all the colours and standards of those on parade. Just

on the left at the bottom of our screen other service chiefs, the

heads of all the services.

And right towards the back, you might catch a sight later, the

mascot of the Irish Guards, Seamus, the Irish wolfhound. He is the one

dog on parade. The service chiefs. James Coleby

waiting for them to come. You can see he has put down his pace stick.

And His Majesty King Charles III stepping out now on to the West

Terrace of Buckingham Palace.

Queen Camilla following him. And you see Prince George at the back of the

train, still playing a role as page of honour.

His Majesty's Armed Forces, Royal Salute! Present arms!

NATIONAL Anthem PLAYS.

Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes now giving the order to

remove caps and call out the three cheers.

Three cheers for His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen.

Hip, hip, hooray!

Hip, hip, hooray!

Hip, hip, hooray!

The parade will replace headdress. Replace.

BAGPIPES PLAY.

And the Massed Pipes & Drums are now playing a tune called King Charles

III.

I think Andrew Stokes can reflect on a job well executed there. I have

never heard three cheers resound so loudly in an open space. I was the

wrong person to ask to commentate on this. I actually had tears. That was

really amazing. We saw the Yeomen of the Garda salute in the King as he

went back into Buckingham Palace, and we will see the King, back in

the palace shortly. -- the Yeomen of the Guard. And the job that these

4000 have done in the role they have played is almost complete.

They have now got to pick up their weapons, but not let their bearskins

fall off. They can't look down. Well done.

So, overall, what would your reflections be and what you have

seen of The Coronation Procession? We have talked about the scale of

the parade, because it is big, it is the biggest I have seen in my time

serving as you said earlier for 34 years. But I think it is the

delivery of the most extremely compact military operation, because

that is what it was. It was a military operation delivered to

perfection, and a wonderful tribute to our King, and finally, it just

makes you proud to be British. Most of these service men and women have

been on the go since 3:30am when they left their bases to take the

train to London, and nearly 11 hours later they will now disperse. They

will head back by train to those bases, and they can be very proud of

the part they have played in a procession that truly was fit for a

King and Queen.

KIRSTY: Robert and David are still with me. We could hear those cheers

from inside our studio which is on the other side of the palace wall. I

notice that there

notice that there was sigh from the King, a sigh of pleasure, of

admiration? That was a very proud commander-in-chief thinking, we got

here, you know? He has been following on with these rehearsals

for weeks now, all the preparations for what is a first. This has not

happened to the Coronation before, the garden hasn't been used as a

parade ground like that before. Maybe this is the shape of things to

come. But he loved it. We absolutely love that. Important to remember too

that King Charles trained as a military jet pilot, he studied at

the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, he is trained

Dartmouth, he is trained to fly military helicopters. This isn't

just a ceremonial role, he has worked with these people and he

respects and understands them. Shows the connection between the monarchy

and the Armed Forces. The ceremony reminded us of the deepest direct

connections between the monarchy and the church. The day has been done,

there are lots of questions and analysis about what this tell us

about Britain and the place of the monarchy in Britain, the differences

between modern Britain and many of these institutions. And he had all

his regiments, every part of the Armed Forces was there in front of

him, we probably won't see anything quite like that for many years if

indeed again. I think is a commander-in-chief, that is such a

strong thing. He has as we were hearing earlier, played such a part.

At university he first learned to fly, a Chipmunk, he wanted to have a

Welsh instructor because it was about to be Prince of Wales, but he

got his wings, and then he went into the Navy, and he got his parachute

badge. There is normally an Equerry or somebody hanging around, they are

a forces family, the Windsors are the ultimate forces family. You were

talking there are about a bit of analysis, and this is probably the

moment for it. Let's do a little bit of instant analysis. What you have

seen today, what we have all been reading up about it and we and we

thought we knew what we were going to see, but given what you have seen

today, right in front of us we have had the most spectacular view. Does

it feel like the page has been turned? Does it feel fresh to you,

like a different moment?

It almost makes us more aware of how ancient and in some ways unlike the

country these traditions are. We are a very unceremonious people, if you

compare us to people like Spain with a calendar of Catholic events, or

somewhere like Japan, we have few ceremonies. But we have this ancient

ceremony, gone on for a thousand years, that gulf between an

unceremonious and not religious people, that shows if not a tension,

a contradiction. That is an interesting point, we can hear, I'm

not sure where the cheers are coming from, whether they're from the

military, or from the crowds on the Mall. I think it is the crowds on

the Mall. They're coming from behind the barriers where they have been

watching the incredible display before them. Their patience has been

rewarded. And it was of course last June at the Platinum Jubilee that we

saw scenes like this. We saw 20,000 people stream down the Mall to pay

their respects, to pay their tributes to Queen Elizabeth who had

been on the throne for 70 years. Today a different moment, they come

to pay their respects to King Charles III. First of you, Robert

Hardman, I mean that is quite something isn't it? It is wonderful.

The last time we saw this when you and I were here last summer for the

great Platinum Jubilee. But what this underlines and the flags

underline, we do live in an era of soft power, of influence and

persuasion and charm, rather than coercion. What today we have seen is

a lot of this is soft power. You look at the crowd, they're from all

over the world, these are not by any means just Brits or just loyal

subjects. People have flown in from all over, this has been watched over

all the world. The fact you can get a crowd like this with just a

handful of politicianmen in ordinary -- policemen marshalling the crowd,

it is all very good natured. And it goes I think to the fact that it

reminds me actually of the Golden Jubilee that produced amazing scenes

like this, which were used by the British Olympic bid to show the

world, we are trying to persuade the world to give us the Olympics, look

at the party we put on here and it was scenes like this. They come

around every now and then, out of nowhere come these fabulous crowds.

And think minute now we will see what it means to both parties. This

6,000 I think media people here, representing broadcasters from 22

countries on six continents. This is a version of Britain and I

appreciate what you say, this is not something we do often, but people

seem to be interested in it. I think a spectacle like this is fascinating

to people all around the world. You can see that by the scale of media

interest. I get worried when people say it is enhanci Britain's position

in the world. I'm not sure it performs the soft power that people

suggest, but it is something people are fascinated by and associate with

prince. -- associate with Britain. Anita Rani is still there among the

crowds. Manage ANITA RANI: I'm with Emma May Miller. She first met the

King when you won a young change-maker award. How was that

experience? I guess life-changing, being presented with such a big

award with the King giving it to me. It was surreal and all I did was

cry, because it was shock, how did I manage to get this, why am I being

recognised. I have no word for it. It is completely crazy. You met him

again and he remembered you? Yes. I'm not surprised. You're

involvement with The Prince's Trust, because were supported by it? So,

January of 2020 I started receiving support from my youth development

lead Ewan, it was identified that I was in a bad place, so I did one of

the programmes called Explore, about finding confidence, learning to be

yourself, building self-resilience. So... You were a young carer? And

suffered with severe anxiety? Growing up being a young carer and

struggling with social anxiety disorder, I was at a point where I

wasn't leaving my room, I wasn't able to have friends, I had no

hobbies and no life and I was stuck in my room 24/7. How did The

Prince's Trust change things? It gave me the realisation that I can

do anything, I just need to push myself out of my comfort zone a

little. And push myself to just be me really. Just let my personality

show. How are you now? I'm doing lots of events, I'm a young

ambassador for Prince's Trust and I meet a lot of people and get to

enjoy my life. From someone who couldn't leave their room to being

on national telly! It has been a pleasure talking to you. Thank you.

KIRSTY YOUNG: I'm joined by Anton du Beke, a well known face of Deborah

Meaden. What do you make of all that, Deborah? What a spectacle, I

was worried, because it was raining. But it hasn't made any difference.

It has made it more British. We are very good at weather! The last

Coronation, 70 years ago, it was unseasonalibly cold and wet and we

had this historic rain, Anton I take it as a good omen. I think so it

turned out well in 1953. It has been a wonderful day. The moment, I was

watching it, in the car on the way up, I was watching on the phone, and

the moment where he said, God Save the King out loud, I had a moment. I

was... I welled up. Out of the blue like this. Whoa. And it is

incredible. It is interesting to still feel this way about it. I find

that fascinating. We talked about it being an ancient tradition, but it

resonates so strongly, certainly with me. And the pomp and the

ceremony and the Armed Forces and everybody there, it everybody, the

three cheers, you spoke about earlier, I find it just... Really

emotional and I love it. Deborah, it is interesting, because it won't

resonate with everybody, for some people it is a complete turn off,

for those who it does mine something to, it gets you right there? Even if

you're not particularly royalist, the communities and the coming

together of people in the rain, the camping out for two nights before,

there is something lovely about a nation coming together and what a

joyous moment to celebrate. Whether a strong royalist or not. Also at a

time when we have less community, people are listening to their music,

watching their television programmes, in a sense where the

community where we can come together. It is rare. On Monday, one

of the things I wanted to talk about was The Big Help Out, it is part of

push, we have the bank holiday and King is interested if people not

just sitting eating, but wants to emthis go out and cheer -- them go

out and volunteer. It is called The Big Help Out and we have so far

about 1,200 businesses signed up, huge organisations to small

organisations. There is a platform that you can go on to and say that

is what I want to do in my area. You have charities on the platform, they

can say these are the projects you can support. It is about getting

people involved, because volunteering is gooshgsd good. It is

good for the soul and mental health. Do you think there are a proportion

of people who might want to help, but don't know where to begin, they

don't know if they would get it right or if they would enjoy it.

There are bits of resistance in all of us? I think you're right, but I

think that is why business has had to get involved. Businesses need to

say, you shouldn't take time off. Not only that... Will businesses say

that? My businesses are, yes. They are, because there are 1,200 that

have signed up. And showing people, go on to this platform, and you can

choose haupt to get involved in, because the things you love might

not be what I love. It is a wonderful way of saying, you will

find something that you will care about. And once I think you start

volunteering and getting involved, and you feel that difference that

you are taking, that is important to all of us. A little bit means so

much. You don't have to feel that you are going to commit swathes of

time to this, you can do a bit, but it means so much, by doing a bit you

give so much. That is the most important thing and just getting

started and then you will end up building on it yourself. Hen you

are, as my granny would say, such a well kent face, you will get asked

to help out with this and that, you know, applies to both of you, how do

you choose that to get involved? I'm happy to do anything. I'm sort of

like that. It is always a time thing. If I can do it, I'm happy to

do it. That has been my attitude about the whole thing. Because...

You know a lot of people are specific about various charities

they are going to be involved in, which is great, but I think I try

and do what I can. If a little bit, if I do something and it helps, that

is, that means everything. You know how many many people are watching.

All the charities. I have no time! That is the key, I like to... If you

can you will. As my granny said, I like to spread myself out! Now

partnerships, you know a lot about partnerships, dance partnerships,

how they work, what of the things we noticed about the King and Queen

they do a lot of things together. The chemistry is interesting, what

do you think? It is a lovely relationship to watch. They are

King, Queen, husband, wife, best friends and soulmates. They're

interested in each other and what each other are interested in. It is

just, I think it is a... I think they're a wonderful couple. I find

them quite romantic. Maybe that is just me. I think it is a lovely

couple. Can you say that about the King and Queen? I think you can. I

think they are. If ever two people were made for each other, it is

those two. Deborah and Anton, thank you for telling us about The Big

Help Out. It is wonderful to give up your time. Amazing thing to be here.

I thank you for asking. We can look at the crowds moving down the Mall.

There are plenty of them. There they come, coming from we would imagine

not just from the sides of the Mall, where they have been watching the

parade and the royal carriages go by. Also from the big parks in

London in St James's

London in St James's Park and Hyde Park where huge vaccines screens

have been showing the Coronation. -- huge screens have been showing the

Coronation. King and Queen, not the only ones with crowns today. Looking

magnificent. Enjoying his moment. That will be posted within seconds I

would say to his many thousands of followers. We see the huge police

operation that has allowed these, probably tens of thousands of people

to throng into the Mall. There she is filming it for years to come. She

will show her children. She will say, "-I was there!" The scenes are

remarkable. I think the rain has truly stopped now. Maybe some of the

soggy cagoules are starting to dry out. We hope in a matter of 15

minutes or so, we shall have the Royal Family, the King and Queen on

the balcony at Buckingham Palace, accompanied by other working members

of of the Royal Family. Due to the weather, the planning was for a

seven minute fly past, but we think it is more likely to be around two

to three minutes. It is going to be helicopters and the Royal Air Force

acrobatic team. That is something to look forward to. They have given us

plenty to look at, not least the smart outfits and the robes and

uniforms and joining me now is British designer, Anya Hindmarsh and

India Hicks.

It has been a feast for the senses. What has caught your eye today? It

has to be the Queen Consort. She looked spectacular, and I think all

the stories on the meaning behind her outfit was really moving,

actually. This was a Bruce Oldfield designed gown, and it was very much

a gown. Would you say there are rules to be followed when you are

making a gown for something as significant is this? It is an

historical down, it will be a moment in history, and so it needs to be

safe, it needs to be comfortable, it needs to be respectful, and it needs

to be a nod to all the traditions. It has lovely embroidery

representing the four nations, and no one better than Bruce, who is a

trusted person to make the gown. Explain that to me. What does it

take from somebody who can make something that will work throughout

the day, getting up and down steps and in and out of carriages, and sit

comfortably and not look trussed up like a Christmas turkey. What does

it take in skill to make a gang like that. Comfort matters, and not

creasing, and especially the weather. But also someone you know,

who you have worked with before, that is very important on the day.

He has an amazing history, he has dressed many royals, and is a real

inspiration, having been brought up in a Barnardos home, so an

inspiration for people who come from humble beginnings. He has had a long

and very storied career, but this must be the point at which he says,

I have reached the top, today is a day to breathe out. He is a

thoroughly nice man. India, what did you make of the stuff that we saw

today, particularly the Abbey? I think it was very reassuring,

because there was much discussion about losing some of our pomp and

circumstance and pageantry, and the Dukes invited not to wear their

ermine robes, but I think we saw everything to perfection. Penny

Morduant standing there with that historic sword, but also her

headpiece, which was made by Jane Taylor millinery, I wore a hat by

her for the Queen's funeral, so again it is lovely to see these

British brands coming out. I am wearing something called Susanna of

London, and the Duchess of Edinburgh was wearing something made by this

brand, at the Queen's coronation, everyone was in long, and the

Queen's coronation before that, so it was lovely to see the Princess of

Wales and the Duchess in long. Before this, we had locked down,

everybody was in elasticated waist bands and trainers. What we saw

today is another way of being, that formality. People more generally are

not required to get this dressed up, but you think events like today help

to promote that idea that actually it is terribly nice sometimes to

really make the

really make the effort? Definitely, Jamie Oliver said early about

minding your peas and queues when you are around His Majesty. I think

the Princess of Wales gets it right, she is so beautifully dressed in

often a high-street brand we can all understand and feel inspired by, and

is attainable, it is a brilliant balance that we are seeing now, and

yet she looks absolute perfection every time. Let's talk for a moment

about the Princess of Wales, because we saw her today wearing these robes

as other immediate female members of the Royal Family were wearing, but

underneath she was wearing an Alexander McQueen gown, and I wonder

if on the balcony we might get a good look at that. I would like to

get a good look at it. Quite a contemporary trend of her daughter,

Charlotte, aged eight, wearing precisely the same thing as mum, but

just a child's version. Very much a mini me, which is important, and the

craftsmanship I think it is important, we mustn't forget the

craftsmen, they are the heroes, the embroiderers, the thread, it is

special work that takes many hands many days. And hats are a complete

nightmare for most of us. If we have to go to something where we have to

wear a hat, it is often not a great moment, and we saw today a different

interpretation, not a tiara, not a hat, but the Princess of Wales was

wearing, it did look elaborate, but in an entirely appropriate way. What

did you think of it? It is a rather lovely headpiece by Jess Collett,

initially funded by The Prince's Trust, so it is a lovely moment. And

I think a nod to a fresh new start for the monarchy and very much out

of respect for our new King who I think requested no tiaras and has a

passion for nature and sustainability, so it was out of

respect to him. And India, what did you make of the headpieces? I

thought they were stunning, on both the little princess and her mother.

They were so appropriate, and as Anya said, beautiful. There was that

moment where the King and Queen got into the state carriage where you

thought, are they going to lose the crown? But they did it brilliantly,

they must have had a lot of practice. Talking about creasing, my

own experience of coming down the Mall was Princess Diana's wedding

train. And you were a bridesmaid, of course. You can practice so much, we

had done that in the Abbey, but once she got into the coach, nobody

anticipated how much material there was going to be. So when she got out

the other end, it was a nightmare. You have to anticipate the creases.

You are both very strict, and I like it. So many rules, so many things to

think about. Thank you for your expert analysis. Let's find out how

spirits are on the Mall, Anita Rani is still there. Anita. I think you

said the rain had stopped, but I can confirm it is still very much

raining down here on the Mall. The crowds are trickling down, you can

imagine how packed it is at the front. I am joined by Jan Hugo,

royal memorabilia collector, possibly one of the biggest royals

fans on the planet, because you have travelled all the way from

Australia? We did. Has it been worth the travel? It has been a 30 hour

trip, so I had to weigh it up, but I think so, yes. And what is it like

being here? Amazing. The atmosphere is just out of this world. I don't

even know how to describe it. It is the best thing I have ever done in

my life. And he will have it forever now. I know, it is a

once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tell me about your memorabilia

collection. How many have you got? More than 10,000 now. I gave up

counting. Where do you keep it all? All through the house. We live in a

museum. What do your kids think? They think I should be locked up, it

is not normal! And what about your main pieces, what are your

favourites? There are some beautiful Queen Elizabeth pieces, treasure now

that she is no longer here. Some pieces from Diana, lovely pieces

from her. Really old pieces, Queen Victoria, things way back to George

III, so I cannot pick a favourite, there are too many. And how much

shopping have you done since you got here? I bought an empty suitcase

with me, so that is full. I have sent three boxes home. Three boxes

have been shipped already? Yes, and the palace has sent a box as well.

How much money have you spent? Too much! My husband is hiding in the

corner. Because you have travelled all this

way, I have got something for you. Nobody can buy this in the shops, so

just for you, another bit of memorabilia to take away. Thank you

very much, it will go in the cupboard with all the rest. Thank

you for speaking to us, thank you. That is my script. I am going to

keep that, thank you so much. Thank you very much, Anita. We are

expecting the King and Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, so

let's talk about the fly-past. It is not an ideal day for it. Tell us the

complications of trying to stage something that is as important in

terms of people's safety as it is for the spectacle on a day like

today. As you mentioned, the original aspiration was to have 68

aircraft, a mixture of World War II aircraft, helicopters, fast jets,

all flying in different formations, and that is difficult, it takes a

lot of planning, and it means you need to make sure that you get all

those aircraft together in a safe place, which is over the North Sea.

And therefore the plan had been for all the aircraft to join up into a

long train of the different formations as we flowed in from over

the sea, to do that you need the weather, and today that is what has

conspired against us, so we have had to take a very difficult decision to

remove some of the aircraft from the fly-past. We will still see that

helicopters and the Red Arrows, but we haven't been able to deliver as

much as we would like because of the need to stay safe. That is the most

important thing, of course. I think it is remarkable given how

unpredictable the weather is that we are going to see a fly-past at all.

Robert Hardman, we are looking forward to it, we do love a fly

past. We do. These things happen. If you think back to the Queen's

Diamond Jubilee, they had to cancel the fly-past then over the river

because of the weather. But I think...

All I could hear right now is an enormous cheering behind me, so

there is the reason. We have King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the

Imperial State Crown and Queen Mary's Crown waving to the thousands

of people thronging the Mall who have braved the rain and are here to

witness an historic moment. And we see the pages how I have to say did

behave very well. Getting a moment that will stay with them for the

rest of their lives, and also Queen Camilla is joined by the two ladies

in attendance who helped her with her train and doubtless steadied the

nerves too this morning as she was getting ready.

CHEERING A wave to the crowd, and the crowd

waved back.

waved back. Robert Hardman, I believe is a very young prince, was

it aged just two that Charles made his first balcony appearance? It was

1951 and he was two, and he came out. They normally wait until they

are two or three, he could have come out as a babe in arms, but this is

the rest of the family joining them now, the working family. It is

interesting seeing they are all the royals who still undertake

engagements. This is such an important moment, because this is

the first time he has led to the family out as King. He has been on

that balcony since he was tiny. You can just about remember the

Coronation, ever since then he has been seeing these scenes, but he is

leading them today. He is the one there that you can see. He does look

relaxed, he is taking it all in and it must be quite a scene to be on

the receiving end of. And when you say working members, obviously we

have got children there, we have got pages today, some of the better

known faces than others. Take people through the working members of the

Royal Family. They are the ones who appear each day in what we call the

Court Circular, you can see the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Prince

and Princess of Wales, then the King's pages. This is in a way

recognising those whose day-to-day job is supporting the monarchy. They

are the King's elder son, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Prince

Hassan, of course, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of

Edinburgh, and the older cousins, Princess Alexandra, the Duke of

Kent. They still play a part in this broader royal front line unit. They

might not make the headlines every day, but they still have their

patronage is, and the King feels a great debt of gratitude, so on a day

like today he is saluting them. What we haven't got today as all the

extended cousins and cousins of cousins and that sort of thing that

we used to see perhaps on a Birthday Parade. The messaging here is that

today is a day about the monarchy rather than me myself. Very

interesting point, and I suppose such a special day because those

youngsters have been involved, and they want to say a sort of thank

you. They have been working today. There has been a lot of pressure on

them, and also very interesting to see, there we are, a wave from two

very popular people. Not in a wheelbarrow around the garden today.

Something altogether different, and here we see the helicopters coming

in through the clouds, through the rain. This is the first of five

formations we will have a head of the Red Arrows, the first is a

formation of three Juno helicopters, training helicopters from the flying

training School, and interestingly on the second of those is Squadron

Leader Rich Allinson who was one of Prince William's flying instructors

when he was going through helicopter training, so that is a nice

connection. And also interesting that these helicopters can fly lower

which is one of the reasons it is safe for them. Yes, and they have

slightly different rules when it comes to the clouds and how close

they can get. So even though it is very rainy, it is not too dangerous

for them? It is within the safety limits, it is right on the edge

which is why we couldn't get the other aircraft, but within limits

for the helicopters and the Red Arrows. So they are coming right

overhead. Right over the palace. Everybody looks up.

The top of the screen was the Army formation and the wild cat and we

have formations initially from the Navy, then the Army, then the Royal

Marines and finally the Royal Air Force. The King and Princess of

Wales looking up and understanding as helicopter pilots. We have the

first Monarch who can fly a helicopter. He was a very good

Wessex pilot, top of his class. He knows what is going through their

mind. Of course the Prince of Wales has flown a lot of helicopters. If

they're flying the wrong way, they won't just hear about it from their

bosses. Everyone is tilting their head, apart from the King and Queen.

Occupational hazard of head that wears the crown. As the Queen said,

you have got to read your speech looking straight ahead. They're

making a fair sound. We can see the windows of the Palace even having a

little shudder as the helicopters went past. Wunt One of the things I

wondered is how would the crowd be? Would it be a huge crowd. We have a

definite answer. The crowds aren't as big as they could be, because of

the new system they have for sealing off processional area, you haven't

got as many people in the immediate area. But here is the big moment.

Here is the main event. The Red Arrows, because they're a

professional display team, they can work to greater weather limits than

the other aircraft. We get a chance to see the iconic Red Arrows as they

come down the Mall. It looks fantastic. What a scene.

In their 59th season. Where are their display, around the world? The

majority are in the British Isles, but they go all eve the world. --

They go all over the world. This is the moment.

MUSIC: God Save the King.

# God save our gracious King

# Long live our noble King

# God save the King

# Send him victorious

# Happy and glorious

# Long to reign over us

# God save the King

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That was a wonderful moment. An iconic moment, it would have been a

great shame if the weather had put stop to what really is a seal on the

day, John that, visual spenting spectacle of something we have come

to know and love. Absolutely. The Armed Forces giving a round of

applause.

In we go. A day that really, Robert Hardman, couldn't have gone more to

plan, apart from the weather, but it is Britain! It is a Coronation. As

the King said yesterday when asked about the weather, he said it is a

blessing. And he is delighted by that. As I said, this is his first

time. It is so important, these firsts as a Monarch, your first

Christmas cards, your first Cenotaph and his first appearance on the

balcony. He will never come back on the balcony wearing all that. The

next time will be next month at the Birthday Parade, the more

traditional balcony moment. He can look back on today as the day that

is very much the punctuation marks of our national life is set by these

moments. And King Charles and standing with him Queen Camilla, a

day that many people believed we could never see. Absolutely. A great

moment for her. Now absolutely the Queen. At the start of the reign

some people thought perhaps maybe this is some sort of, there will be

a care taker reign, because he is, it has been said he is the oldest

Monarch to be crowned. He will be 75 later this year. But he has stamped

his mark on this. It won't be one of the longest reigns, but it will have

a personality and we have seen that already with a number of the small

things he has done. Things are changing in the Palace. It is nice

to see the balcony back in action. That has been a building site for

the last year. They have had to put floor boards down to get everybody

out there today. Things are changing. They're changing

incrementally. It is not a big overnight thing. But he has his own

ideas for this institution that we celebrate today. And as you watched

the military do the Royal Salute, did you sigh that? I thought that

was maybe one of the highlights of day to hear that three cheers.

Absolutely, it fills you up, as someone who is serving in the

military, the opportunity to be involved in something of such

national importance. It is the sort of day that people will never

forget. We are getting an encore, it must be Coronation Day! I would say

the King looks, I suppose, understandably, very relaxed. That

is a huge responsibility to have a successful Coronation, not only that

come out for, but goes well in terms of logistics, the amount of planning

and pressure is immense? It is enormous.

enormous. I likened it to a marriage. Now it is the down time.

One of the most charming scenes from the Queens Coronation is the

pictures of what happened after. Now they're going in for photographs. I

would love to see the photographs. In 1953 one of maids of honour had

to stop the King, aged four, grabbing the crown off the table and

running off with it. I wonder if Prince Louis would reprise that

role? He has that look about him! You watch those robes, they're about

to walk through a building site. That sight with the robes again, we

won't see that again. Coronation day is the only day that happens. You

have to be in your 80s or 90s to have seen this before. Let's talk a

bit about continuity, that might be one of the reasons that people have

trudged out on not the best day to stand in the rain and be part of it

and put on the Union Jack hats and have a few beers, it is about

tradition a lot of it? It is tradition and continuity. One of the

most striking things was the new addition, it began not with the

Archbishop of Canterbury, but a 14-year-old boy saying to the King,

Andrew Strachan, saying high are you here? He said, "-I am here to

serve." That was an important preface to the whole thing.

Throughout this grandeur and tradition, we have seen this

humility and constitutionally, religiously, explaining where this

King belongs in the sort of national landscape if you like. Yes, he is

the head of state, yes he is the King, but he is there to serve us.

Anita Rani is on the Mall. She is having a chat. ANITA RANI: Yes, I am

on the Mall. I think I have had the best seat in the house all day on

the Red Road that has seen numerous processions and now after 70 years a

Coronation. And it has been about the people down here and, well, we

ask, have you had a good time? CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. Plenty of

Union Jacks and hats and outfits, people have travelled from all over

the world to be here. And it is not just about the crowds, but the

volunteers, the Armed Forces, St John's ambulance, the stewards that

have made the whole day run like clockwork. The biggest privilege

that everyone here, including myself have is we can all say, we were here

to witness the Coronation.

to witness the Coronation. We will have that forever. It has been a

great day from the Mall. KIRSTY YOUNG: Thank you. We see the

brollies are up. We can't dampen the spirits, but it is dampening the

hair. The brollies are up and people have had their moment, the moment of

seeing the crowned King and Queen on the balcony in their ermine robes.

It is not a day we will see again, because it is unique to Coronation

kch day. Day. For those who chose to be part of it, quite a scene indeed.

Robert Hardman and David Olusoga are here to chat through. In a way,

David, it is unfair of me to ask you to analyse, because I suppose the

thing about history, we have to see it in a greater context, when you

saw the King and Queen come out, what were your thoughts? In the 20th

century there were five coronations, an average of every 20 years. We

haven't seen one since 1953. That reanimation of a tradition that has

lain dormant, to see it is historic. We have been reminded of the

religious history of the country and echos of the 17th century in the

oaths and of the medieval age in the other sacraments. That sense of

tradition as a historian is fascinating. In that level it is a

remarkable thing to witness. Now, it's done, new a new reign begins, a

lot of questions about the monarchy and the role are up for discussion

as they always have been. Let's have a discussion about it. Most of the

people who answer whether you're religious, we have seen at the heart

of today the religious ceremony, most people say they're not church

goers, we have lots of different faiths as well, we saw them

represented today. Do you think when you look at a day like today it is

really about being above all else nostalgic?

nostalgic? I'm not sure, I think nostalgia is loaded with pejorative

things. What we saw was a strong representation and an effort to show

the diversity of faith, that is different in the Britain of today.

It is difficult to reflect the other thing, that we are one of the more

secular nations in the world. You can have diversity of faith, but the

lack of faith in Britain is harder to build into the ceremony. There is

only so far you can modernize a thousand year old ceremony. We heard

"Defender of the Faith". There was a time in the nineties when Prince

Charles put forward that he would be the Defender of the Faith. But that

has been rolled back and over time maybe he realised as somebody who

was head of Church of England that was not necessarily the most

probably approach? No, but I think it was an aspiration when he said it

in 1994, golly, how long ago was that? 30 years? It was how he viewed

the role. The late Queen articulated that herself in 2012 at her Diamond

Jubilee, she made a speech to faith leaders and talked about how she

felt that the Monarch has a duty to protect and the same applies now. It

is, I think that oath, that extra pre-oath oath that we heard, with

the Archbishop said your

the Archbishop said your role is to allow people to follow their

religion. We may live in a more sec secular society, but he is there to

protect the rights of any faith and none.

And do you think in terms of a modern monarchy, and the House of

Windsor has managed to survive because it is good changing, slowly,

taking in the mood, do you think our new King gets it, has a sense of how

to propel the monarchy forward and change things? I think when we

analyse things he said when he was the Prince of Wales, we have to

remember he knew he was the Prince of Wales and things he felt able to

say then knowing he would be King, and it is clearly understands the

limits of the role and he was in a different role previously. To an

extent you can't modernise a monarchy, because it is a monarchy,

and that hereditary principle is one that many people will never be

comfortable with. But the majority of our fellow citizens in 2023 are

comfortable with this being the way that we choose the head of state.

They revel in the ceremonies and the tradition, and for the people here,

this is a huge event in their lives that they care deeply about. The

challenge is to reach out to the people who aren't obsessed with

history and tradition, who aren't here because they love the monarchy.

A lot of people feel neutral about the monarchy, not that they are

opposed to it are desperate for it to become a republic, they just

don't feel very much, and that is potentially an opportunity for the

new King to find a way of being a Monarch who can reach out to them.

Robert, what are your thoughts on that? I think David is absolutely

right. The greatest threat to our modern monarchy is relevance, or

rather irrelevance. Indifference. Indifference and then irrelevance,

it is that moment when people wake up and say, why are you still here?

It is not exactly reinventing, but they have to just keep at it. It is

not a brand of toothpaste, you can't just relaunch, you have to keep

doing what you have always done. But what the monarchy does do is it is

out there every day. They are on their away days, going around the

world, and I was in Germany with the King and we saw how he went down

there, when he addressed the German parliament in Germany, that made an

impact, and it goes back to this point, I think we are, as David

says, most people are entirely happy with the constitutional arrangement.

It may not make sense, but it is the one that we have and we are very

proud of it. But it has got to earn its keep, and I'm quite sure that he

knows that, and complacency is something we are not going to see.

It was interesting just the day after his mother died, the day after

the Queen's death when Britain was slightly lost, he was right on it,

addressing the nation. We didn't hear from Elizabeth II, she didn't

address the people for ten months after she became Queen, until the

Christmas broadcast. He was doing it right away, he was immediately after

touring the country, going to the home nations. I have said it before,

but he is a King in a hurry. This is definitely not a caretaker

definitely not a caretaker reign. His wife and said he wants to save

the world, he is somebody who is propelled by that need to make

change. On the one hand you could say that is admirable, on the other

hand you could say he has given himself quite a job. Of the world

certainly need saving, there is no question about that. I would like to

think you would find ways of modernising the Royal Family and

reaching out to people who have that indifference, because indifference

is the ultimate kryptonite for a monarchy as David says. What we need

to recognise that one of the great strengths that people have as they

look at our politics and they think, maybe this is a more balanced way of

representing a wider cross-section of the population. We have had a

year of a few prime ministers, we have not made to the best case for

an alternative over the past few months, so I think we have to wish

him well and hope that there are ways that he is capable of finding.

That reminded me of a very good point, there was a rather good tweet

and that extremely weak, somebody said that there is a pint of milk in

my fridge, and has seen two prime ministers and two Monarchs and is

still going strong, and there is something to be said, a country that

can change its head of state and its head of government in three days, it

happened in three days without an angry word or a being fired, or any

sort of unrest or disorder, let alone riots, there is something to

be said for that stability, that continuity. I have noticed it over

the years, travelling around the world with the Royal Family, they do

represent a continuity, particularly in countries with turmoil, and they

look at what that represents, and they are quite envious, actually.

The case that is put also, one might decry the state of the world and

some places, but one might argue that having a monarchy floats above

it and people can automatically not necessarily respect one monarchy or

another, but respect the fact that we have it there, that it feels

solid and it doesn't feel it is grubbing around in the gutter for

our votes. When the politicians are having a punch-up or there is a

great turmoil over the road, and interregnum election, a hung

parliament situation, whatever it might be, at least the people know

that all those arms of the state, they don't owe their allegiance to

those in Number 10, they owe their allegiance to a different entity

that is not going anywhere, and that is not something we think about

every day, but it is there, and I think it is part of that sense of

continuity and stability that we may take for granted, we may register it

subconsciously, but at least we feel that everything is going to work OK.

David Olugosa, one of the King's most long lasting legacies from his

time as the Prince of Wales is The Prince's Trust, and I touched on

this a little bit with David Lammy earlier today, which is a million

people so far it has helped, and it was set up when the Prince was in

his late 20s. Yes, using the contents of his Royal Navy pension

to get it going in the mid-70s. And it was set up to help not just

people who want to help start their own businesses,, people who want to

get back into education, they want to re-engage with their skills. It

is very interesting that he chose something, as somebody who you would

consider to be the very epitome, personification, of the

establishment, to reach out to people who are disenfranchised, to

people who are on the outside, what do you think of that? I think he

chose an astuteness, but it is not historically abhorrent. Monarchs

recognise that one of their ways of censoring themselves in that

conversation is to be aware of inequality, to be aware of the

situation where situation you are born into, Queen Victoria raised a

lot of money for charity during the Irish famine, and others will be

aware of the cost of coronations and wanted them tuned down, but this

idea that being aware of these social issues, it is not a new

phenomenon. And a coronation in the middle of a

cost of living crisis, which day today for a lot of British people is

a very real thing, you think the Coronation that we saw today manage

the balancing act of giving something splendid but at the same

time being scaled down and not gratuitous? It is a very fine line

they have to trade, because as you say there are some people who will

be looking at this to today and saying this is a complete waste of

money. But it goes to the heart of what we are as a country. We have

huge events whether it is FA Cup finals or parades, and we host many

big things, so I think it goes to the heart of that. In 1953, the

country was in far worse state, we were on rations, we couldn't buy

meat because it was being rationed, and the time, there was a debate,

should we really be having this big event at a time of post-war

austerity, and people said, yes, we should, because this matters, we

need to do it properly. There is nothing worse than it pared down

scaled down coronation on the cheap. As Churchill said, you can't have a

coronation with bailiffs in the house, you have to do it properly.

It could have been much bigger, we could have filled the Abbey with

8000 seats instead of the 2000 we had, we could have and the bells and

whistles, but I think they called it right. Thank you to both for all

inside, your knowledge, your historical references, I have

learned a lot and it has been wonderful to share the day with you.

Thank you to you both. There we are. I have never seen

anything quite like it, and I imagine either of you. History

unfolding in front of our very eyes. The man born in that palace just

behind me more than seven decades ago to date finally meeting his

destiny and stepping out onto its balcony crowned King. He greeted the

crowds with a warm smile, cementing his relationship as their sovereign,

and by his side to support him, his Queen and heirs, and that roar of

approval on the Mall seem to tell us something about this coronation day,

and they will no doubt tell their families in decades to come, I was

there. The arcane ceremony in the Abbey, the exquisite music, the

priceless jewels and magnificent carriages were dazzling. A reminder

perhaps that however much the world changes, tradition and ritual and

ceremony still play an essential part in bringing us together in a

spirit of celebration and community. The King pledged his sacred oath and

wore an ancient crown, but all in the presence of a very modern

congregation. Environmental campaigners, charity volunteers, war

veterans and even a few spangly superstars in its midst. All witness

to the beginning of a new era for Britain and the Commonwealth. And us

that sea of happy faces and fluttering Union Flags took over the

centre of London, many millions around the country and the world

will have doubtless tuned in to see the spectacle, including that

remarkable parade where our military did what it does so well, gilding

the occasion with pomp and pageantry. Today so much of the

United Kingdom in all its splendid variety has seemed unified in

celebration on a day that has been fit for a King. Thank you so much

for joining us, and for now, goodbye.

Your Majesty, as children of the King of God, we welcome you in the

name of the King of Kings.

This is the Royal loan, these are the lively oracles. Will you cause

law and justice and mercy to be executed in all your judgment? I

will.

God Save the King! God Save the King. I, William,

Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you.

Hip hip hurray! CHEERING