The Coronation of King George VI

Jim's Journal--Tues, May 11, 1937, London.

A Souvenir Cup from the Royal Coronation China

". . .went on the 'tube' to Hyde Park. It was after midnight when we found a place and there we settled to wait for the procession. . . we lay on newspapers on the sidewalks, sleeping when we could, being crowded in at all sides, but there were thousands of people there for the same thing we were. And without customary sleep we passed into the Coronation Day."

A King Edward VIII's Souvenir Coronation Plate--Edward VIII abdicated the throne thus giving it to King George VI


Wed. May 12, 1937, Hyde Park, London.

"People are gathering around us like flies, to see this great spectacle. They have waited for months, weeks, days and now hours to see this procession. Men, women and children. Their faces tired and dirty from a night out here in fog and smoke. And still they come. We were able to lay down last night, but the crowd is so great there isn't space now. We were very fortunate to have sandwiches with us because on every side of us, women are fainting, turning sick at the stomachs from hunger and thirst. From a building on the other side of the road, a loud speaker tells us that the King and Queen are leaving Buckingham Palace to go to Westminister [sic] Abbey. Cheers can be heard, the day has begun. As each important thing takes place we are told about it from this loud speaker. The procession , the Abbey ceremony, the oath and finally 'He is crowned,' 'Long live the King.' Then the national anthem 'God Save The King.' During this time crowds have increased and we are crowded in like sardines.

" . . .Then from the speaker we were informed that they were leaving the Abbey and would soon be in Hyde Park. Long hours of waiting and then the first troops appeared. Mounted bands, beautiful horses, colorful uniforms, and well rifled troops. Men in red coats, gold braid, black trousers, in the blue, the gray. Men from as far away as the British Empire reaches. From entirely around the globe. Beautiful black horses with leopard skin saddles, and gray horses with black polished leather saddled. Everything in order for this day of days. The sky has been dark all day long and rain has threatened. The 'Royal Canadian Mounted Police' drew the most attention and applause, as did troops from India, So. Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Egypt. The Turks, Arabians and all the Scottish, Welsh and native land, sea, and air forces. And finally came the Royal coaches. Queen Mary, the Princesses, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords and Ladys, the Prime Minister, the Kings guards, and the King and Queen. There in his royal coach, dressed in his royal robes, scepter in his hand, his queen by his side, was King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. A great cheer went up. People gone mad from their long wait. And as his coach passed from view rain started to fall, increasingly it came. People hurrying toward subways. Traffic blocked out and there in the marble Arch Square we stood and were rained on plenty.

". . . We made a tube connection at Edgewall station and then were very soon in Claphom. There we lay our weary bones down on our ticks to most welcome rest.

"And now as I run all this through my mind I wonder: Was the King any happier because of what he had than I or any of the Elders with what they have[?] Gwen and I--King and Queen in our own castle--our love as our crown. Our home as our kingdom. Our own children as our loyal subjects. Can any man ask for more? And despite all that runs through my mind, I love her still. And so I have seen what millions of people have seen, and what millions more would have liked to see. So to bed."