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A day at the Coronation
14th May 2023
When the invitation arrived, I was completely blown away. But little did I know that it was the beginning of what would be an extraordinary few weeks in my life. Photos: Rev Matthew Price
I had received an email a few weeks before to indicate that I was going to be receiving an invitation to the Coronation as one of the recent recipients of the British Empire Medal. But when it arrived, the beauty of the invitation was breathtaking. It was on thick, heavy card which was gold edged and the illustrations and script were beautiful. Even the post-lady was excited as she delivered it: “I think it’s from the King!!”, she said
So, when the day arrived, there had already been a good deal of excitement. The day itself started early. Even though I stayed in London the night before I was up at 5.30am, in central London before 7am and queuing to go through security by 7.15am
When I got off my train at Vauxhall station to walk to the security I bumped into two other men in morning dress. We quickly established we were going to the same place and ended up spending the rest of morning together. It turned out one of my companions were a member of the House of Lords and the author of the book House of Cards which has been turned into both British and US television series
Once inside Westminster Abbey (at about 7.40am), there was a buzz of excitement. I found it hard to believe we entered via the Great West Door where a few hours later the King and Queen would enter. Celebrities were mixed in with “normal” people and there was no seating plan – I ended up five seats along from Lionel Ritchie and just across from Ant and Dec!
The music was extraordinary, especially with the wonderful acoustics in the Abbey. We were treated to almost two hours of performances as we waited for the arrival of the King and Queen and as the time got closer to 11am, dignitaries began to arrive and walk through the Abbey – foreign and commonwealth heads of state and government, members of foreign royal families, and then our own royal family
Then just before 11am we could see that a gold-roofed coach had arrived at the door of the Abbey. A hush of expectation descended which was broken by a trumpet fanfare and then it all began. I felt a shiver go down my spine as first the jewels were carried past in procession, followed by first the Queen (accompanied by our own Bishop of Norwich) and then the King in all their finery! I couldn’t really believe how close I was (just three rows back from the aisle)
 During the service, what struck me most was the humanity of the King – at times he almost seemed vulnerable, especially as he prepared to be anointed, in the face of the extraordinary role and task he was being called to. There might have been pageantry and priceless jewels, but at the heart of the ceremony was a man pledging to serve us for the rest of his life, just as his mother had done before him
It was an extraordinary day which I will remember for a very long time – and that’s before we even talk about the media frenzy that whipped up around my invitation. When I posted a picture of my invitation on twitter it was viewed almost 400,000 times and ultimately led to me being interviewed live on CNN at their outside broadcast. All very surreal
But, just as I had received the BEM on behalf of the whole incredible team that volunteered out of our church during our pandemic, so I saw the invitation to the Coronation, in the same way. I was representing our whole community at the Abbey and it was a privilege to do so
Rev Matthew Price
Vicar, St Mary Magdalene Church, Gorleston
Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in Great Yarmouth or surrounding district?
If so, email judith.edmonds@ntlworld.com with details and, if possible, a suitable picture(s)
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