The monarch says he could not see what was happening onstage because of where he was seated. Photo / BBC
The monarch says he could not see what was happening onstage because of where he was seated. Photo / BBC
The King has admitted he was seated so far from the stage at the Coronation concert that he could not see what was going on.
Both the King, 74, and Queen, 76, attended a reception at Buckingham Palace on Thursday to thank those involved behind the scenes in both Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the Coronation.
The monarch spent some time talking to the team from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead about the logistical effort of organising the concert, which took place at Windsor Castle on May 7 – the evening after the Coronation.
Neil Walter, who was in charge of parking, said the King told him he was seated so far from the stage, he could not see what was happening.
“He said next time he would like to be closer – or bring his binoculars,” said Walter.
The King and Queen were seated alongside members of the royal family and VIP guests in the royal box, constructed within a tiered stand towards the back of the concert site.
King Charles and members of the royal party in the royal box at the Coronation concert on May 7 in Windsor, England. Photo / Getty Images
Despite his trouble following the action, the King appeared to be in his element and was pictured on his feet, dancing alongside the Queen and waving Union flags as singers including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Take That performed.
Among those invited to the palace reception were representatives and organisers from bodies across government, the church, policing, media and civil institutions.
Guests also included volunteers, musicians and support staff.
Clare Balding, the BBC presenter who did the commentary for the Coronation procession to and from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, said the King asked her what her role had been.
“There was no reason why they would know that, because of course they weren’t watching the television,” she said.
The Coronation concert marked the first time a concert had been held on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle. Photo / Twitter
“But he said they did manage to watch it afterwards.”
She also admitted she had made a slight faux pas in her live commentary, much to the amusement of her partner, broadcaster Alice Arnold.
“I managed to say – which is a perfectly acceptable horsey phrase – that the Princess Royal had been very quickly mounted, and joined the procession,” she said.
“I didn’t even realise. When I got home, my partner Alice said: ‘You seem to have caused a bit of a stir!’ But that’s just the sort of thing that would make them [the royal family] all laugh.”
Lionel Richie performs during the Coronation concert. Photo / Getty Images
Shane Connolly, the florist responsible for the floral displays at the Coronation, said the King and Queen revealed they had “loved” the flowers.
“They appreciated every single stem, and the fact that it was given by British growers and British gardeners … it meant so much,” he said.
‘Deeply humbling’
Debbie Wiseman, one of 12 composers commissioned to write music for the Coronation, said: “We had to do it in the utmost secrecy.
“We went into the studio with the BBC concert orchestra knowing that the Queen was fit and well, knowing that we had to sign these non-disclosure agreements, and record the music for our late Queen’s funeral.
“It was a very surreal thing to do, and also a huge privilege.
Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks onstage during the Coronation concert. Photo / Getty Images
“For the Coronation, the King was so involved with everything. He wanted the gospel choir that I wrote the music for. He wanted it to be the best possible musical showcase it could be. And oh my goodness, it really did do that.”
Ugbana Oyet, Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons is responsible for ceremonial events at the Commons and helped organise the Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall.
“I spent a huge amount of time in Westminster Hall where the Queen was lying in state,” he said.
“People came in at the top from St Stephen’s [Hall] and there was awe in their faces, their jaws dropped and they paused.”
Jenny Collier, of London Scribes, one of two calligraphers who wrote the names on the invitations to the Coronation, said: “I found it deeply humbling writing all the world leaders’ names, knowing that everybody would come together for this incredible occasion, and they would really reinforce positive relationships.”
