Henry and his mum Victoria have secured a prime position on the Mall
By Amy Stewart
BBC News NI, in London
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience so why not?”
As well as a bike and Lego, a trip to London for the King’s Coronation was a birthday present for nine-year-old Henry Burnett, from Lurgan in County Armagh.
He and his mum Victoria set up camp on the Mall on Friday night – and they weren’t the only ones.
All along the Mall is rows deep with eager royalists keen to reserve a decent space to watch history unfold.
Despite the rain, thunder and sunshine, the mood is a far cry from the sombre affair eight months ago when hundreds of thousands of people paid their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
There are lots of tents, tea and buns and a sense of cheery camaraderie.
Among them are a number who have travelled from Northern Ireland to witness the historic occasion – and maybe catch a glimpse of world leaders and celebrity guests as well as the newly-crowned King and Queen.
Some are camping near the Buckingham Palace, while others have a more comfortable bed for the night.
Image source, Reuters
There is a festival atmosphere along the Mall, with thousands of people already having gathered
Victoria, who is a nurse, explained how Henry has always loved the royal family.
He was keen to go to the Queen’s funeral but they could not manage it so she wanted to do this for him.
“I promised him once the coronation was announced we would book and come so the date was released and we booked flights and a hotel on the same day.”
She was bit nervous about sleeping out all night but says: “It’s a once in a lifetime so why not?”
Henry’s favourite royal is Prince George because “he’s the same age as me”.
So what is Henry looking forward to most?
“Seeing the King coming from Westminster Abbey with Head of State Crown on him with the orb and the stick.”
A handshake from the king
Harpist Lesley Magee, from Ballymoney in County Antrim, has been camping out since 02:00 BST on Saturday morning.
Lesley is looking forward to hearing the music chosen by the King
On Friday Lesley and got a handshake with King Charles during his walkabout on the Mall.
“He thanked a young guy beside me for sleeping overnight in his tent. He asked if there was a cooker in the tent and the guy retorted: ‘Sorry, Your Majesty, we can’t cook for you.'”
Lesley says she has come to London because “this is a huge historical occasion – I want to see the pomp and circumstance of everything that is going on here”.
“I also particularly want to see the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry. I’ve been over for royal weddings and the Queen’s funeral and I’ve learned about patience doing these events!”
As a musician she is interested in the music the King has chosen for the ceremony.
“It’s a mix of traditional and modern,” she said.
Following on from granny
Lauren Alford and Dylan Robertson, from Limavady in County Londonderry, arrived to torrential rain.
Dylan and Lauren are among the many happy campers hoping for a glimpse of the King
“My granny, who passed last year, was a royalist so I just wanted to come over and experience it myself – there’s a bit of a disconnect with the royals from the younger generation,” Dylan told BBC News NI.
“This is history and it’s amazing to see all different nationalities here.”
Lauren said: “I just wanted to experience the whole occasion of everybody getting together to celebrate the king.
“My family are really into the royals so I have always wanted to experience the atmosphere.”
Royal first for family’s double buggy
Catherine Grant travelled from Portadown on Thursday with her husband Jason and their children, two-year-old Sophia and four-month-old Will.
Catherine and Jason – with their children Sophia, two, and four-month-old Will – travelled to London from Portadown on Thursday
“We didn’t want to leave the children behind at home when we wanted to be here – and we just thought it would be a lovely memory for them to say they were here for the king’s Coronation,” Catherine told BBC News NI.
“We were here for the jubilee, for royal weddings – but this is the first event we have come with two children and a double buggy.
A special connection with William and Harry
Patrick O’Neill is from west Belfast and has been a fan of the royal family all his life.
Patrick says he follows the royal family wherever they go
He is part of a group who have been camping out to get a prime viewing point since Thursday night and he follows the royals when he can.
“I’ve made so many friends over the years that they are keeping my spot,” wheelchair-using Patrick told BBC News NI.
“Because of my disability I can’t be here all the time but I have built up friendships over the years and we all look out for each other.
He lost his mother around the time that Princess Diana died and has felt an affinity with the loss experienced by Princes William and Harry since then.
Something to tell the grandchildren
Kim Sinclair from Lisburn and Elaine Hall from Moira in County Down found a prime camping spot to watch the procession.
Kim and Elaine have a great view from their spot on the Mall
They both went to Edinburgh after Queen Elizabeth II’s death and wanted to witness a more celebratory occasion.
“We have come over to see the style from the royal guests,” said Elaine.
“I came over with this lady, who gets me up at dawn but I am loving it and so pleased to be here,” said Kim.
“It’s such a momentous occasion in history – I have three wee grandchildren back home in Northern Ireland and I want to pass down that their nanny Kim was here for the Coronation.”
We just have to find a gap
Northern Ireland friends James, Michael and Neil, all 28, arrived on Friday morning to find a camping spot.
James Camblin from Dromore, County Down, Michael from Belfast and Neil Harrison from Waringstown came well prepared
Michael added: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity – there hasn’t been a Coronation in 70 years.”
Among guests expected at Westminster Abbey on Saturday are Irish President Michael D Higgins.
The Irish President and his wife Sabina were at a reception for heads of state in Buckingham Palace on Friday evening.
Stormont dignitaries expected
The leaders of the main parties in Northern Ireland are also expected to attend the coronation, including:
- Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill and her colleague Alex Maskey, the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly
- DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, his colleague Lord Nigel Dodds
- Alliance leader Naomi Long
- UUP leader Doug Beattie
- SDLP leader Colm Eastwood
Dame Mary Peters will be among the first people on parade behind the newly crowned King in her role as Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter.
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd John McDowell has been asked to present the Sovereign’s Orb at the service.
Pupils from Methodist College Belfast will be part of a choir singing at the Coronation.
