Coronation treat as the county celebrates historic occasion

Coronation-fever swept across the UK at the weekend, and Wiltshire communities up and down the county celebrated a historic moment the like of which has not been seen in the country for more than 70 years.  

From Salisbury to Semington and Westbury to Warminster, communities throughout the county held their own celebrations as His Majesty The King was officially bestowed with the historic St Edwards's Crown, formalising his status as the monarch. Her Majesty The Queen Consort was also officially crowned The Queen at the Coronation service, which took place at Westminster Abbey.

Among the guests was Mrs Sarah Troughton, Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, who is His Majesty's representative. The Lord-Lieutenant was joined at the national Coronation service by her husband Peter.

It was a busy weekend for the Lord-Lieutenant. As well as being at Westminster Abbey, she attended a Coronation service at Christ Church in Swindon on Sunday (7 May), visited Marlborough High Street to celebrate a Big Lunch and attended the main County Coronation Service at Salisbury Cathedral. The Lord Lieutenant was also delighted to welcome HRH The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Tom Laurence to a Big Lunch in Swindon on the same day where they spent time meeting and greeting excited crowds at Belmont Crescent. The Lord-Lieutenant finished her weekend attending a Big Help Out event on Monday (8 May), when she joined St John Ambulance volunteers as they launched a new defibrillator at Dauntsey Lock.

Mrs Sarah Troughton, Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, said: What a wonderful and memorable weekend we have all enjoyed. I felt incredibly proud to represent Wiltshire at the historic Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey and witness His Majesty The King formally crowned at a beautiful and fitting ceremony.

Wiltshire and Swindon did the country proud and I would like to sincerely thank everyone for all their efforts and creativity in celebrating the Coronation in such style. I was delighted to pay a visit to many local events and the atmosphere throughout was full of joy and excitement. It was also a real honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Swindon and I know it meant such a lot to the local community there.

The weekend demonstrates that the community spirit remains strong throughout Wiltshire and the whole country, and events like these are so unifying for people of all ages. Long live the King.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: We were proud to play our part and help communities throughout Wiltshire hold parties and celebrations in their local areas. Throughout the years we have seen our county make the very best of events and celebrations such as this and really showcase what is unique about Wiltshire. I thank everyone for their efforts to make this an occasion that will live long in the memory.

Wiltshire Council supported local communities to host their own street party events as conveniently and easily as possible and has helped facilitate almost 40 in total.

More information about The Big Help Out, and how people can still get involved, can be found at www.thebighelpout.org.uk (opens new window). 

You can see a host of pictures from across the weekend -  Lieutenancy Coronation pictures.

More information about the Wiltshire Lieutenancy can be found at https://lieutenancy.wiltshire.gov.uk/.