Members of the Royal Family attended street parties and Big Lunches across the UK yesterday, as part of the coronation celebrations.
Attending Big Lunches was a show of support to one of The Queen’s Patronages, a fitting tribute for her and The King’s coronation.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a Big Lunch. (Royal Family)
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Big Lunch on the Long Walk near Windsor Castle, also near their home of Adelaide Cottage.
Dressed down, the royal couple chatted and shook hands with the public, who were surprised to see the Prince and Princess.
William was given a drink by a group of women wearing yellow crowns; taking a sniff followed by a sip, he asked: ‘Is that a home recipe?’ Catherine went on to take a sip too.
The Prince was also handed other drinks, including a bottle of gin and a can of beer – featuring his father’s picture – saying: ‘I’ll take that one with me’.
Prince William and Kate, The Prince and Princess of Wales, visit a Coronation ‘Big Lunch’ event on The Long Walk in Windsor. William was given a royal beer
Out in the crowds, the Princess also was seen comforting a young girl, who was overwhelmed about meeting royalty as the crowds gathered.
Meanwhile, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a Big Lunch in Cranleigh, Surrey.
At Cranleigh Village Hall, Their Royal Highnesses viewed the Coronation Craft Market, and the High Street where a fun fair will be taking place. They heard from people who had set up small businesses and voluntary organisations during the pandemic.
Edward and Sophie also joined residents and representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Scouts and the Guides for the Big Coronation Lunch. The couple were spotted sampling a coronation chicken pie, with the Duke noticing someone had brought Percy Pig sweet. He commented: ‘That is well-prepared’ – perhaps they a favourite sweet of Prince Edward’s…
Speaking to residents about Saturday’s coronation, the Duke joked ‘it is nice to see that the weather hasn’t changed in 70 years’, as it rained for most of the day in London, as it had done at his mother’s coronation in 1953.
He was also overheard to say that the coronation of his brother had been ‘quite emotional’.
In Swindon, The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence attended a community street party at Belmont Crescent.
The couple were greeted by Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, and were introduced to local dignitaries, as well as the committee responsible for organising the street party. Troughton is one of The Queen’s Companions.
They went on to meet local residents and children, when Anne had a special gift for the children – a commemorative coronation tin featuring a collection of British and foreign coins and bank notes, alongside information about why they were handed out.
Jeremy Holt, member of the organising committee for the Big Lunch street party, said: ‘I am in awe of the number of official engagements that Her Royal Highness performs each year. I was also particularly impressed that, as this was a sharing lunch, she brought with her a personal contribution of food to the lunch.’
It was not just working Royals out for the day. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined a Coronation Big Lunch in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire.
The pair met the event organisers and members of the community enjoying the lunch on the village green including representatives from All Together Community, a group established during the pandemic which distributed over 10,000 food parcels to vulnerable people and continues to offer the same service along with running a community fridge.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice attend the Coronation Big Lunch in Chalfont St Giles
The sisters were also seen posing for photos with residents and presented an award to the colouring competition that had taken place.
Eugenie is currently pregnant with her second child, expected in the summer.
