A Wonderful Day by

It started for me as the train pulled into Waterloo just before 7am – as we were greeted by the sight of soldiers on the platform. It wasn’t a guard of honour, as one passenger quipped, but hundreds of bearskin-wearing troops arriving too. Whether they were Grenadiers, Coldstream, Scots, Irish or Welsh Guards, I couldn’t tell, but I no longer felt overdressed in my Moss Bros morning coat!

The invitation asked guests to be seated in the Abbey by 08:30 am for the 11 am start, so I’d decided to arrive in the Parliamentarians’ muster point, Westminster Hall, early enough for it to be safe to enjoy one coffee before going to the Abbey, if you catch my drift. (The invite explained toilet facilities in the Abbey were “limited”!)

My lucky seat was in The Quire. Not great for seeing the main event in front of the altar but in touching distance of the Processions before and after the service – and right next to the choir.

Before 9 am, we were able to mill about and soak up the atmosphere. I’ve loved visiting abbeys, cathedrals, minsters and monasteries from my days as a chorister and studying Medieval History at A-level, but this was different: history in the making.

From the most exquisite displays of flowers to the sparkling military uniforms and national dresses, I felt incredibly fortunate to be there. And when I saw some bits of fluff on the Royal Blue carpet leading to the altar, it just seemed natural to pick it up –everything had to be fit for a King!

We were ushered to our seats for 9am, when the music before the service began: totally sublime – with superb new compositions like Sarah Class’s Sacred Fire sung by Pretty Yende as well as traditional orchestral pieces like Fantasia on Greensleeves, Jupiter and Nimrod.

The music during the service were equally spellbinding with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s setting

Sir Edward Davey, M.P

of Psalm 98 “Make a joyful noise” managing to mix ancient and modern. From the choir’s rendition of Handel’s “Zadok the priest” for the King’s anointing to the Ascension Choir’s pitch perfect “Alleluia, Alleluia”, to my personal favourite, Sir Bryn Terfel singing Kyrie eleison in Welsh, rarely can even this ancient Abbey have witnessed such a musical feast.

The Processions were thrilling in themselves – with the beautiful Order of Service helping to explain (a bit) who all these people were. From seeing “The Spur” carried by Lord Hastings to the St Edward’s Crown borne by the Lord High Steward of England, the centuries old traditions were magnificent. I must admit that I never knew such positions of “Master of the Horse” and “The Groom of the Robes” even existed!

There can be no doubt – no-one does pageantry like we do. And yet our precious traditions felt carefully laced and spiced with more modern elements, undoubtedly at the behest of King Charles himself. In an overwhelmingly Christian service, all modern Britain’s faiths and beliefs were welcomed and involved.

Indeed, from the very start of the service the symbolism of a new approach to monarchy was evident, as a young boy, Samuel Strachan (“Child of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal”) addressed The King, “Your Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we welcome you in the name of the King of kings.” And The King replied, “In his name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve.”

On the train home to Surbiton, surrounded by damp red, white and blue passengers who’d watched the Coronation on large screens in Hyde Park, the joy of the day just continued. As we shared our stories – from the actual Crowning that I hadn’t been able to see being described to me, to my recounting of the King walking past within touching distance, wearing the Crown and carrying the Orb and Sceptre – there was no doubt: this was a wonderful day.