CADETS CORONATION and the

The coronation of King Charles III took place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. Representatives from Army Cadets had the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of being involved in the splendour and pageantry of the day.

Bearing banners with pride

Two army cadets had the honour of representing Army Cadets (both ACF and CCF) as banner bearers during the coronation pageantry. Staff

Cadet RSM Joshua Siggers (Kent ACF) and Cadet RSM Josh Watson (St Columba’s College CCF) led the Military Marching Band of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School CCF and marched from MOD Main Building to Parliament Square. They then stood alongside 100 banner bearers of the Royal British Legion and watched as members of the armed forces escorted HM King Charles III to Westminster Abbey.

After the service in the Abbey, the banner bearers and musicians were able to watch the new King and Queen travelling in the 260-year-old Gold State

Carriage back to Buckingham Palace. They then marched over Westminster Bridge to continue in the coronation celebrations.

‘It was an absolute honour to take part in the coronation of King Charles III and to be part of the amazing atmosphere in London,’ said Staff Cdt RSM Joshua. ‘To see the members of all the armed forces form up in front of us, and then to see the King go past in the Gold State Carriage, made for an incredible experience.’

Over 4,000 members of the UK's armed forces took part in what the Ministry of Defence has called the largest military ceremonial operation of its kind for a generation.

Admiring from Admiralty Arch

It was a privilege for 65 cadets and CFAVs to represent Army Cadets during the formal celebration on coronation day. The cadets, who travelled from Bristol, Scotland, Surrey and the Highlands, were invited to be spectators in the stands at Admiralty Arch and to watch the pageantry up close.

The cadets and CFAVs were also some of the first to arrive at the gates to Buckingham Palace to witness the King and Queen’s entrance onto the balcony and a flypast from the Royal Air Force.

Since the coronation of Edward VII in 1902, it has become customary for a newly crowned monarch to greet the crowds in The Mall from the Buckingham Palace balcony after the ceremony. King Charles and Queen Camilla continued the tradition and appeared with the royals who had taken part in the procession.

Historic day for Dukies

Thirty-five members of the CCF of The Duke of York’s Royal Military School were given the honour of playing at the coronation of King Charles III.

Dukies from the school's Military Marching Band, including Drum Major Kieran Nasau, Band JUO Ben Thorne and Band CSM Charlotte Trimby, performed throughout the coronation to entertain the crowds.

The band stepped up their usual three weekly rehearsals to prepare for their prestigious part within the coronation pageantry. The band have previously had some amazing opportunities to play, such as at Twickenham Stadium for the England/Argentina game and the police passing-out parade in Hendon. However, the coronation of King Charles will definitely be one for the school’s history books.