Long Live the King!

The coronation on May 6th in Westminster Abbey will make Charles the 62nd monarch in the last 1,200 years to serve these isles. At the age of 73 he will be the oldest ascendant to the throne. Born in 1948, Charles became heir apparent at the tender age of three when his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952.

It could of course all have been very different. Had Charles’ great uncle, Edward VIII not abdicated in December 1936 the line of succession would not have passed to Charles’s grandfather, and thus to his daughter Elizabeth and ultimately to Charles.

Charles was the first heir apparent to attend school instead of being home tutored. He was also the first heir to the British crown to earn a bachelor’s degree. He studied archaeology, anthropology and, history at Trinity College, Cambridge.

I can’t help but wonder how different Charles’s life would have been without the yoke of the monarchy around him. He seems a rather gentle man, maybe not the most intellectual of people, but one who cares deeply about nature. Perhaps he would have been happier pottering on a country estate somewhere, instead of tending to the affairs of state.

We have such a long and rich history in the UK, but even so, it may be hard to comprehend that the first king of a, more or less, unified England was Æthelstan in 927! His territory covered most of what we now define as England, but not Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. It wasn’t until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland ascended the throne as King James I that a single monarch reigned in the United Kingdom. Staying with the history of the monarchy, who knew that William the Conqueror was the first king to be crowned in Westminster Abbey? Well, at least his was the first documented coronation to take place there.

Until relatively modern times, and in particular since the advent of televised ceremonies, the average person would have no knowledge of the proceedings at a coronation. A process that has remained pretty much unchanged since the late 14th century. Since that time, every coronation ceremony has basically followed the same order of service laid down in the Abbey’s magnificent medieval illuminated Latin manuscript, the Liber Regalis.

The coronation of King Charles III will presumably stick with this age old tradition - but unlike our ancestors we will be able to watch live coverage of the proceedings. I know I will be watching - will you?

Whether you are planning a “watch party” with friends and family, hosting a street party, or a village green gathering…be aware of the history unfolding in front of you - 1,200 years of tradition in “these sceptred isles”.

Your local award winning photographer

Spring is the perfect time to get out into nature with your loved ones. Walking amongst daffodils or woodland bluebell flowers lifts your spirits and the sun’s warmth banishes those winter blues.

Why not take the opportunity of booking a mini–photoshoot session with award winning local photographer, Lindsey Sutherland.

A qualified Master of Photography, Lindsey is currently offering shoots amidst bluebells in May, and sunflowers in July at set locations for families, couples, dogs or even horses. Other seasonal mini-photoshoots run throughout the year.

Each shoot is just 30 minutes long, costing £60 including 3 digital images which you can choose from a gallery of your photos. Prints start from £35. Visit Lindsey’s webpage to book.

Not comfortable being photographed? Well don’t worry, Lindsey is an expert at making clients feel comfortable and relaxed, allowing her to capture the best images of you.

Lindsey also offers bespoke photoshoots where the only limitation is your imagination! Contact Lindsey to discuss your ideas.

Ladies

T: 01629 583 153

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Please note that all vehicles will be thoroughly disinfected prior to every trip and new air purification systems have been installed

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EARLY BOOKINGS ADVISABLE *ADMISSIONS INCLUDED ADULT OAP/CHILD NT MEMBERS

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K.V.&G.L SLACK LTD. THE TRAVEL CENTRE, UPPER LUMSDALE, MATLOCK DE45LB www.slackscoaches.co.uk E& O.E

K.V.&G.L SLACK LTD. THE TRAVEL CENTRE, UPPER LUMSDALE, MATLOCK DE45LB www.slackscoaches.co.uk