Kings Charles Coronation day 6th May 2023. How did you spend yours?!
I chose to start Coronation Saturday running around our local park dressed in a Tutu. It seemed like the right thing to do. After pausing long enough to catch my breath I concluded…
“I’m not built for running”
..and went in search of suitable Coronation snacks. Still wearing my Tutu loud and proud, I braved the stares of several bemused shoppers in Iceland and headed home to fill my face in front of the TV with the kids. It is, after all, what Coronations are all about..?
Everyone will have their own opinion about the events of today, and everyone will have chosen to mark it (or not) in a different way. Maybe you watched at home like me, filling your face with pringles and quiche?
Did you plan a BBQ with friends that got postponed because of the rain?! Or were you wandering around Tesco, pondering “what’s for tea?” while King Charles III was being crowned?
Whichever way you chose to spend the Kings coronation day I would imagine that most (but by no means all) of us will have given a little thought to what it means to be a part of the British Armed Forces family today.
To quote Robert Hardman on today’s BBC coverage
The windsors are the ultimate Forces Family
This really resonated with me.
Aside from being a quirky bunch who never do anything normal (and think nothing of wearing union jack vests and Tutus in Iceland), we have always tried to keep the importance of the relationship between the monarchy and the military alive at home.
We explained when our children were tiny and struggling to understand Daddys role in the military “Daddy works for The Queen.” They loved that. It made them feel important. We told them they couldn’t just wipe their chocolate ice cream into the oatmeal carpet because “It’s not our carpet it belongs to The Queen.” (NO ONE wants to feel the wrath of a Queen. Not even a 5 year old covered in chocolate). This connection with the royal family took us one step closer to more bearable detachments. The kids understood from a very young age that The Queen needed him for an important job, and they were less reluctant to let him go. NO ONE wanted to feel the wrath of a Queen, especially when they’re saying that Daddy can’t go because they need him more than her.
Essentially The Royal Family gives OUR family an ingrained sense of purpose and belonging that helps justify the reason that our lives exist the way they do.
Today, we as a family handed over the very important Reigns (pun completely intended) to his Royal Highness King Charles III. I am confident he will continue to have my kids backs with all things chocolate ice cream related and otherwise. Today, I felt pride for my new King and the way he handled the daunting task of coronation at the age of 74; but I also couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of the Service Men, Women and Animals who took part in todays momentous piece of history. They did us all, King and country, proud.
Long live the King
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