Buckingham Palace had “extensive medical support on standby” for King Charles’s incredible surprise, it has been reported.
The monarch surprised 12 women who travelled from Canada to London for Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation by inviting them back for a private tour of Buckingham Palace 70 years later – and the King even made a surprise appearance.
Back in 1953, the ladies—now with an average of 89—were just teenagers when they plucked up the courage to fly to the UK to witness the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Twelve of the 50 women who were sponsored by a Canadian businessman to attend the 1953 Coronation, came to London to retrace their steps and the moment was charted in a new documentary, Coronation Girls.
The ladies were left astonished when, during a private tour of Buckingham Palace and standing in the Bow Room, a delighted King Charles greeted them.
Although reuniting in London was a joyous experience, “extensive medical support” was reportedly on hand in case the experience of a surprise meeting with the King became too much.
Retracing their steps, the ladies swapped stories about their work on the environment, as well as reminiscing about the late Queen’s coronation – a core moment which linked them all. Telling those in attendance about the ceremony, King Charles told them that his late grandmother had explained the event as it unfolded.
Discussing the weight of the St Edward’s Crown, the monarch said: “There’s always that feeling of feeling slightly anxious, in case it wobbles. You have to carry it, you have to look straight ahead.”
Explaining to them that he would have to visit Canada again soon, he joked that that was if he were still alive.
He told them, “Don’t worry, I’m sure I will,” before adding with a smile: “If I’m still alive by then.”
To which, one of the women quipped, “You’ll be alive, we won’t.”
Their pivotal 1953 trip has since been told by Canadian film director Doug Arrowsmith.
Including previously unseen archive footage, complete with moving interviews with each of the women reminiscing about the profound impact of that shared experience.
