Queen Camilla Makes eTN Reporter Smile: King Charles III Coronation

Queen Camilla walks next to a smiling Elisabeth Lang, Munich based eTurboNews travel writer, covering the Coronation of the King.

All eyes are on the coronation in London, the largest travel and tourism event in British history.

It is being held at Westminster Abbey on 6 May, and King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be the 40th reigning monarch crowned there since 1066.

London is ready

The day of splendor and formality is based on rules, and traditions set more than 1,000 years. Here is how we expect it to unfold.

Public access to the sites along The Mall and Whitehall will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with people directed to official screening sites in Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park once they are complete.

With only a few hours before the big event, people are already camping outside along The Mall for a prime position.

A gentleman was already there since April 26 to secure his place. Some spectators in line are watching the nightly rehearsals with the carriages drawn and processions.

Another royal fan camping at The Mall was devastated after his belongings were stolen from his tent. H is now worried about going to the toilet. Two of his tents were stolen when he went to the toilet.

Patrick McCrossan, a royal fan who lives in Chelsea, has been forced to sleep in an outdoor chair after having his tent removed.

Mr. McCrossan`s $ 800 Go Pro camera and mobile phone chargers were also stolen despite The Mall being at the heart of British history’s most extensive security operation.

A record 11,500 police officers are on duty in LONDON this weekend.

“Stop Oil” activists brought parts of London to a standstill again during the week. If they will try to disrupt the Coronation, Scotland Yard warned swift action by police for anyone trying to disrupt the King’s Coronation on Saturday.

Coronation last-minute preparation

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended final rehearsals this morning in preparation for tomorrow.  Tourists had been arriving in London in record numbers to witness this historic world event, which is, without doubt, a historic event for travel and tourism.

When King Charles went on a  surprise walkabout on The Mall greeting Royal fans who had been sleeping along the route all week, fans were blown away by his surprise visit.

It came just hours after a downpour soaked thousands of people camped out at The Mall, with one person saying: ‘This is the happiest moment in my life.’

The monarchy is a tremendous asset to the country in terms of symbolism and heritage. King Charles is a well-trained monarch who laughs when asked if he is nervous.

A massive security operation is on the way, and people are gathering along the route of tomorrow’s processions in central London. 

In the evening, a vast convoy of limousines was making its way along the MALL as over 1000  dignitaries from around the world will be heading to Buckingham Palace for the  Reception hosted by King Charles.

But most surprised were some passengers of London`s Underground tonight.

Charles and Camilla have recorded a message played across all 2,570 UK rail stations and the 270 London Underground stations over the Coronation weekend.

It includes the King playing the role of station announcer to issue the most famous London Tube warning: Mind the gap.

Mind the gap

The recording, which was made at Charles’s country retreat, Highgrove, in conjunction with Transport for London audio engineers earlier this year, sees the royal couple perform a double act.

The King says: “My wife and I wish you and your families a wonderful Coronation weekend.

The Queen Consort continues: “Wherever you are traveling, we hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.”

The King then adds: “And remember, please mind the gap.”

The announcement will be heard from Friday, May 5, until Monday, May 8.

Andy Lord, the commissioner, said: “With less than one day to go before the Coronation, we look forward to hosting Londoners and visitors from across the globe.