Crowds camp overnight to catch first glimpse of Coronation carriages - The Telegraph

The first glimpses of the Coronation carriages have been revealed at rehearsals in central London overnight. 

Thousands of soldiers marched from Buckingham Palace past Trafalgar Square and Downing Street to Westminster Abbey in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Band Of The Household Cavalry, wearing their striking gold and red liveries, led the parade to the backdrop of the national anthem just after 12.20am.

Crowds filtered through St James' Park to find the best spots along The Mall, with many trying to glimpse their relatives in ceremonial garb.

Onlookers huddled around The Mall, which was fenced off and lined with armed Yeomen Warders, or Beefeaters, as the band passed by, followed by regiments of mounted soldiers.

They fell silent, captivated, as the Diamond Jubilee State Coach was pulled along the route by six Windsor Grey horses.

When His Majesty travels back from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, he will be at the heart of the largest military procession in London for 70 years Credit: The Daily Telegraph

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach is led in a procession as it leaves Buckingham Palace Credit: AP

The Coronation procession makes its way towards Admiralty Arch Credit: Shutterstock

At least 15 tents were already positioned along The Mall and royal fans tested the view they may have of the King on Saturday, when he will be sitting in the same Diamond Jubilee State Coach on his way to Westminster Abbey.

Margaret Tinsley, 81, a former nurse from Gillingham North Dorset, pitched a tent on The Mall on Tuesday afternoon to ensure she has a front row view for the Coronation.

The crowning of King Charles will be the seventh major royal event that Ms Tinsley and Shirley Messinger, 76, a retired lab technician from New Forest, have camped out for together.

“Charles and Diana in ‘81, Prince Andrew and Sarah, the Queen mother’s funeral, William and Katherine, Jubilee on the Thames, and Harry and Meghan," said Ms Messinger, recalling past occasions.

The King’s Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was built in Australia and first used in 2014, departed Buckingham Palace through the Centre Gate, and proceeded down The Mall, passing through Admiralty Arch and south of King Charles I Island, down Whitehall and along Parliament Street.

Soldiers from a wide variety of regiments took part Credit: The Daily Telegraph

Soldiers from the military, navy and RAF took part Credit: PA

“It was really exciting for me to see the Australian state coach," said Ms Tinsley, who is originally from Australia. “For an Aussie, it's brilliant.”   

John Loughrey, 68, claimed to be the first person to set up his tent on The Mall on April 27, nine days before the Coronation.

He told the PA news agency: "We like the build up, the rehearsals and seeing people throughout the day.

"There are a lot of tourists and they come and say they wish they had something like this in their country."

The Coronation of King Charles III will take place this weekend Credit: PA

Soldiers paraded past Buckingham Palace Credit: PA

Mr Loughrey explained he had been camping outside royal events for 26 years and spent a month camping out after Princess Charlotte was born.

He added: "We did a lot of research. We (picked this spot) because there are no trees so you can see the Red Arrows."

While the carriage and regiments of horses walked Downing Street, soldiers and military bands practised protocols on The Mall.

From Northallerton to the Isle of Mull, Belfast to Birmingham, soldiers of the British Army were gathered in London to prepare for the biggest ceremonial event of their lives Credit: The Daily Telegraph

The rehearsal took place despite an earlier security scare Credit: AP

Soldiers also lined the streets of Whitehall with many holding standards as they marched in Parliament Square and practised changing position as Big Ben chimed.

The sound of drumbeat could be heard across Westminster as different parts of the parade sprung into action, including units from Commonwealth countries who were also practising their march. 

The procession returned to Buckingham Palace shortly after 3am with bands in full swing, shortly before the Gold State Coach passed the palace.

People lined up to see their relatives taking part in the rehearsal Credit: The Daily Telegraph

Drumming sounded across Westminster Credit: PA

The rehearsal took place hours after a man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was detained at around 7pm on Tuesday after he approached the palace's gates in central London and threw a number of items.

He was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found, but he was not carrying a gun.

Cordons were put in place and Scotland Yard said a controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution as the man had a "suspicious bag".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9yb3lhbC1mYW1pbHkvMjAyMy8wNS8wMy9jcm93ZHMtbGluZS10aGUtbWFsbC1mb3ItY29yb25hdGlvbi1yZWhlYXJzYWxzL9IBAA?oc=5

2023-05-03 04:38:00Z
1974706922