UK celebrates coronation with street parties, concert

LONDON: Partygoers flocked to tens of thousands of street celebrations across Britain on Sunday as the country revelled in the coronation of King Charles III ahead of a concert for 20,000 people at Windsor Castle.

Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, hosted a private reception as Buckingham Palace said they had been “deeply touched” by Saturday´s event at Westminster Abbey. They will join the evening concert at the castle, west of London, where attendees began queuing to enter from mid-afternoon.

Prince William and wife Kate surprised fans on Windsor´s Long Walk with an unannounced visit, sipping homemade cocktails with one family of royal fans, before the heir to the throne delivers a speech at the concert.

Charles´s coronation as monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth countries around the world was the first in Britain for 70 years. The glittering ceremony, steeped in 1,000 years of tradition and ritual, was attended by global royalty and world leaders, as well as hundreds of community and charity representatives from across the UK.

But Sunday´s events are a shift in emphasis. While the coronation ceremony has its roots in the England of 1066, “Big Lunch” parties nationwide look to bring modern Britain´s communities closer.

“It´s lovely... you need these things to bring the community together,” Annette Cathcart, 67, told AFP from at a party at the village hall in Ashley Green, in Buckinghamshire, southern England.

“It´s the perfect way to celebrate.” Monday has been declared a public holiday -- meaning people can let loose on Sunday without having to worry about a hangover. After the post-World War II hardships, street parties were a major feature of Queen Elizabeth II´s 1953 coronation -- and a memorable part of celebrations for her long reign in 1977 and her platinum jubilee last year.

The Big Lunch initiative is an attempt to keep alive that more neighbourly spirit. More than 67,000 were planned, according to organisers Eden Project Communities. Coronation Quiche -- the specially created, baked savoury tart featuring spinach, broad beans and tarragon -- was set to appear at numerous tables.

The king´s sister, Princess Anne, attended a street party in Windsor, where his nieces Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie -- Prince Andrew´s daughters -- were also at a big lunch. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted a lunch at Downing Street, inviting community volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and dignitaries including US First Lady Jill Biden. The British leader was joined by his wife, two daughters and the family dog, Nova, who sported a union flag bandana.