Sister Rita Dawson had the pleasure of being one of the 2000 invited guests to attend the Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 4 June 2013.
Individuals were nominated from the Queen’s network of county representatives, known as Lord Lieutenants.
All members of the Royal Family were present, including all the Queen’s children and grandchildren.
The St Edward’s Crown, the one used for the actual crowning moment, was displayed on the altar during the service. This was the first time the Crown had left the Tower of London since the Coronation back in 1953. Beside the Crown was the Ampulla, the gold, eagle-shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the Queen’s anointing. The Coronation Chair, one of the oldest pieces of English furniture still in use, was also on show.
The Queen’s o
riginal Maids of Honour sat adjacent to her Majesty in the Abbey, together with a pageboy who had served at the Coronation of George IV in 1937.
The Queen and Prince Philip entered Westminster Abbey to the same music that greeted her in 1953.
It was a most beautiful day and the surrounding area of Westminster was filled with supporters and well-wishers.
As the Royal Family departed the Abbey, the bells rang out to mark the end of the Service and indeed, continued to peal until 5.30pm in recognition of the importance of such an event.
