Tea, cake, sparkling wine and “Coronation Quiche”: The British have their newly crowned King Charles III. celebrated with a big street party. There was hardly any criticism of the sometimes rude actions of the police.
The party continues: Day one after the coronation of Charles III. In hundreds of UK towns, people have come together to sit on the streets, eat cake, drink tea and celebrate. The weather even cooperated to some extent: there was little to no rain in contrast to the day of the coronation.
In the London district of Camden, Annika and Liz took the initiative to bring people together: they thought it would be a nice occasion to promote togetherness in the neighborhood.
“Big Lunch” at Downing Street
There were cakes on the tables set up in the park, with bottles of champagne in between. The chocolate cake with strawberries stood out, a photo of King Charles III. adorned the delicacy. Children ran around. People stood together, talked. Of course the coronation played a role, many had followed the spectacle, but today one country in particular came together under pennants and over cake. Will’s opinion of the king: “In the sense of a modern monarchy, the king has more corresponding qualities than many of us, good luck to him,” he said, referring, among other things, to the king’s years of commitment to nature and animal protection.
A “Big Lunch” was also held in Downing Street, at the seat of government, attended by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife. Jill Biden, the wife of the US President, also attended this party, pictures of which were broadcast on television. Joe Biden did not come to the coronation ceremony.
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak celebrates Charles’ III. Coronation at the “Big Lunch” at Downing Street, the seat of government in London.
Vegetarian “Coronation Quiche” as official dish
The newly crowned royal couple wished the Brits a lot of fun celebrating. “We send our best wishes to everyone involved,” King Charles and Queen Camilla wrote on Instagram. The palace had already published an official dish for the celebrations days ago, a “coronation quiche” with spinach, beans and tarragon.
A spokesman for the palace said the royal couple were deeply touched after yesterday’s celebrations and grateful to everyone who contributed. Prince William and Kate showed up in Windsor this afternoon, where they were greeted with jubilation. On the Long Walk, they shook hands with visitors and spoke to passers-by. There is a big concert there in the evening with thousands of visitors. The tickets were raffled. On stage: Stars like Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
newspaper editions as a reminder of a historical event
The British media knew only one topic on the first day after the coronation: the “coronation”. The publishers published almost mono-thematic issues. “The Observer”, “The Sun”, “Sunday Times” and Co. printed numerous photos in large format on many pages. “Daily Mail” and “Sunday Telegraph” titled the editions “Souvenir Edition”. The thought in the editors: One or the other may put this issue on the bookshelf and pull it out again in years, a reminder of a historical event.
Alison Philipps, editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper, was present at the coronation. What impressed you the most? The glitter of the crown, she said on the BBC.
The comment in the “Daily Mail”, conservative and always loyal to the royal family, said: Millions will think how lucky this country is to have such a dignified and enchanting ritual at the heart of our constitution. The author dealt with the very fundamental question of why it is good to have a monarchy and came to the conclusion: the French had executed their king, but were then always driven by the desire to reinstate one. As evidence, the paper cited Charles de Gaulle, who led the nation like a monarch. A historical classification that would certainly be countered by many things.
After the coronation, Prince William and Princess Kate surprised royal fans gathered in Windsor with their visit.
Hardly any criticism of the arrests of opponents of the monarchy
The “Sunday Times” headlined a special supplement with the words: “The beginning of a Caroline era”. After the Queen’s death, many spoke of an Elizabethan age, after all she sat on the throne for 70 years and shaped the country. But for a 74-year-old king, that line seems a bit ambitious.
Hardly in the newspaper reports: the arrest of more than 50 opponents of the monarchy and critics, some of whom had been rudely taken away on the day of the coronation. The reason for the arrest is partially unclear.
A new law makes it easier for the police to arrest people, and penalties for being stuck in the street, for example, have been drastically increased. The change in the law also applies to other events.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, criticized the action on the BBC that morning: “The coronation ceremony was fantastic, a special tradition. But the right to protest is also a British tradition.”