Coronation of Charles and Camilla - New documentary gives funny insights
The coronation of King Charles III (75) and Queen Camilla (76) was an event of national importance and THE royal highlight in 2023. But behind the scenes, things were quite funny, as a BBC documentary about the monarch's first year of reign shows, which will be broadcast on Boxing Day. As British media such as "Sky News" and "Daily Mail " have already reported in advance, viewers can expect some humorous and human scenes surrounding the coronation on May 6 in the 90-minute film.
Charles "flies" with his robe
The major event in London's Westminster Abbey had been meticulously rehearsed in advance. This was also impressively captured by the camera team, as a trailer shows. Despite all the tension before the big day, Charles has not lost his sense of humor. For example, there is a special moment in which he spreads his noble royal robes like wings in Buckingham Palace and declares: "I can fly." Another scene shows him during a trial run in Westminster Abbey, sitting in the coronation chair in a suit and tie. He can also be seen laughing and joking with his wife during dress rehearsals. Prince William (42) was also in a good mood during rehearsals. The heir to the throne laughed as he tried to put the robes on his father. At one point, Charles whispered: "I'm fine ... Almost."
Text breakdown from the archbishop
The king also had to laugh when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, forgot part of the liturgy - the prayers and actions of the coronation service. "I have a memory that is probably about as good as our spaniel's," the cleric later confessed. "In other words, zero." Charles was not annoyed by this, however, but nodded and smiled in understanding.
Camilla admonishes the pages
The King and Queen rehearsed over and over again in Buckingham Palace how they would walk down the coronation aisle in their elaborate and heavy robes. Camilla warned her pages: "Don't step on my dress." As she prepared to leave for the church on Coronation Day, she reminded her grandchildren and great-nephews once again to walk slowly through Westminster Abbey. Surrounded by the page boys, she finally said with a laugh: "Here we are with all the boys."
Applause for the crowned heads
The film also reveals that the newly crowned royal couple received applause from the staff on their return to the palace. There were three cheers for Charles and Camilla. Annabel Elliot (74), the Queen's younger sister, describes how "surreal" it was to see the couple drive off in the Gold State Coach after their coronation. She recalled as a two-year-old "watching the Queen's coronation on a tiny black and white TV and there was this golden coach with my sister in it".
Relief after the ceremony
Annabel Elliot also revealed the immense tension that Charles and Camilla felt after the ceremony: "Coming back to Buckingham Palace, what a relief. It's done and it was great. It was kind of a 'phew' moment, like taking your shoes off." Perhaps it's this feeling that also led Camilla to make a funny facial expression in the more private setting of Buckingham Palace: after being cheered by staff, the Queen puffed out her cheeks.
You don't usually get to see scenes like this. But for the BBC documentary"Charles III: The Coronation Year", the royal family allowed themselves to be followed for a year in a number of more private moments. The film will be shown on BBC One on December 26 from 6:50 p.m. UK time. As "BBC" announced, camera crews were given access to the new royal couple in the run-up to the coronation and in the months that followed. The 90-minute documentary is narrated by actress Helena Bonham Carter (57), who played the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret (1930-2002), in the Netflix series "The Crown". However, this is not the first time that the royal family has granted television cameras direct access to their everyday lives - Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip allowed the BBC and ITV to film a behind-the-scenes documentary in 1969.
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- Ahead of the coronation of Charles III and Camilla on May 6, British media like "Sky News" and "Daily Mail" have teased some humorous scenes from the BBC documentary, titled "Charles III: The Coronation Year," set to air on Boxing Day.
- During rehearsals at Buckingham Palace, Charles III spread his royal robes like wings and declared he could fly, while Prince William joined in the laughter by struggling to put the heavy garments on his father.
- The coronation itself took place in Westminster Abbey, where the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, briefly forgot part of the liturgy, prompting a nod and smile from Charles III.
- Before departing for their royal procession, Camilla warned her pages to be careful not to step on her heavy dress, and later joked about being accompanied by her grandchildren and great-nephews.
- Upon their return to Buckingham Palace following the coronation, Charles III and Camilla were met with applause from the royal staff, with Annabel Elliot, the Queen's younger sister, describing the moment as surreal.
- In the days following the coronation, both Charles III and Camilla seemed to have experienced a sense of relief, with Camilla letting out a laugh and puffing out her cheeks as she relaxed at Buckingham Palace.
Source: www.stern.de
