See joyous photographs from Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953
When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in June 1953, Britain was in a state of deep flux. Meat and sugar rationing was still in place following the war as the deeply impoverished country continued to recover, slowly; the Empire was gradually being dismantled, new constitutions for old colonies in the process of being drafted. The NHS was approaching its fifth birthday, while a 79-year-old Winston Churchill was halfway through his second stint as Prime Minister. Amid the change, the Queen’s coronation was a unifying national moment, shining a light on 25-year-old Elizabeth and her young family, and ushering in what was obviously going to be a very different – but hopeful – post-war era.
Over seventy years later, to look back at photos from the months leading up to the coronation, as well as the day itself, is to see how important witnessing it was for those taking part, some of whom spent the night before on London’s street to secure a better vantage point as the Queen’s procession came past. These pictures show nurses, manufactory workers, imperial troops, Scottish Highlanders, royal guests and ministers, schoolchildren and normal people, all involved in the event as part of the living fabric of British civic life. Sixty-nine years may feel like a long time ago, but the sense of anticipation and celebration in the air is as palpable as it is relatable.
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Reg Speller1/26Mrs Hilda Morgan prepares Coronation tea pots for the firing kiln at the Wedgwood works, Stoke-on-Trent, 1 December 1952. As is tradition on a major royal occasion, a variety of pottery and china articles were made with the famous Wedgwood designs specially adapted.
Daily Herald Archive2/26Washing Day at a coronation flag-making firm, 6 January 1953. Six months before the coronation itself, preparations were fully underway, including the manufacture of miles and miles of flags and bunting.
Hulton Deutsch3/26Queen Elizabeth II examines sets of new stamps issued to commemorate her coronation.
Daily Herald Archive4/26The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret arriving at the Royal Gala performance of the coronation opera Gloriana at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on 8 June 1953. Gloriana was written by Benjamin Britten and focused on the relationship between Elizabeth I and her favourite the Earl of Essex; it debuted six days after the coronation.
Daily Herald Archive5/26Horses from the Newcastle City Police mounted section are prepared for the noise and bustle of Coronation crowds at a weekly training session, 1953.
Daily Herald Archive6/26A group of Highland dancers taking part in a mass Highland dancing exhibition at the Coronation Highland Gathering at Ibrox in Glasgow, held to celebrate the Queen’s accession.
Daily Herald Archive7/26Twenty-four hours before the Queen was due to review the Coronation Fleet at Spithead near Portsmouth, people began packing the beaches and promenade, prepared for the long wait. The Queen made her review from the despatch vessel Surprise on 15 June, which served as a royal yacht for an occasion described by the Daily Herald as “the finest naval spectacle for nearly two hundred years”.
Daily Herald Archive8/26The Glasgow Police Pipe Band strike up in tune as they take part in the pipe band competition at the Glasgow Highland Gathering.
Daily Herald Archive9/26At a full dress rehearsal for the coronation at Westminster Abbey, ladies in waiting pass through Dean’s Yard on 30 May 1953. The gowns worn by the Maids of Honour, seen leaving the Abbey, had been a secret until this point.
Daily Herald Archive10/26Tired out after an all-day wait, visitors waiting for the coronation stage a sit down on the pavement in Trafalgar Square the day before the event itself, 1 June 1953.
Daily Herald Archive11/26The floating “Coronation Coach” passes under Laira railway bridge in Plymouth on 30 May. The decorated boat was constructed by the Royal Army Service Corps, as their entry for the Inter-Services boat competition that was held off Plymouth Hoe on coronation night.
Daily Herald Archive12/26Residents of Wayland Avenue, Dagenham, Essex, organised a coronation of their own on 31 May for 15-year-old Daphne Westgate, who was chosen as “Coronation Queen”.
Hulton Deutsch13/26Winston Churchill, wearing military uniform, prepares to leave Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage to travel to Westminster Abbey for the coronation.
Daily Herald Archive14/26Boys from Taunton School in red, white and blue tam-o'-shanters add a touch of colour to the waiting crowds outside Malaya House in Trafalgar Square the day before the coronation.
Daily Herald Archive15/26The coronation procession, nearing the end of its triumphal progress through London’s streets, moves down Cockspur Street and round under Admiralty Arch onto the Mall. Hundreds of thousands cheered the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as they passed in the golden state coach.
Daily Herald Archive16/26The procession approaching Marble Arch.
Daily Herald Archive17/26Children in Hulme, Manchester, holding a street party on 7 June.
Daily Herald Archive18/26On Swinbrook Road in the East End of London, under-5s tuck into food at a street party organised by residents on 7 June.
Daily Herald Archive19/26Pakistani soldiers salute the Cenotaph in Whitehall as they march in the Coronation procession.
Daily Herald Archive20/26Crowds watch the procession in Trafalgar Square.
Daily Herald Archive21/26Troops in the coronation procession make their way back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey in a photo taken on Piccadilly.
Daily Herald Archive22/26The Queen, enthroned and wearing her crown, prepares to receive the Homage near the end of the coronation ceremony.
Daily Herald Archive23/26At the Princess Louise Children’s Hospital, Kensington, Christine Wilfley (left) seems more interested in her flag than in the Queen; Janice Strutten (centre) looks slightly bored; and Brian Booker (right) looks duly awestruck.
Hulton Deutsch24/26Prince Charles with his aunt, Princess Margaret (right) and his grandmother, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, during the coronation ceremony of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Print Collector25/26Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of their coronation, waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Hulton Deutsch26/26The Queen and Prince Phillip on coronation day.
