The second Coronation

 I was born in 1939 so was old enough to be interested in the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.

I remember the build up to the Coronation was immense and there was so much excitement.

My dad built a television for the occasion, parties were planned, bunting and flags were hung and the whole country seemed to be holding its breath waiting for The Day.  The icing on The Day itself was the announcement that Edmund Hillary had conquered Everest.

I was comparing the atmosphere this time and why there didn't seem to be the same excitement, in my view. I think it was because the queen was so young, with small children and she had no expectations or grooming to be queen - it was thrust upon her by her uncle's actions.  

Also, we had not long come out of a world war, there was still some rationing and the country had been working so hard to get back on its feet after so much loss. It was almost like a release of emotions of the entire population.

I'm lucky to have experienced two coronations but this one was spent quietly on the river instead of in front of the television, although we did fly some flags!