Choirboy at Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation weeps with emotion as he attends King Charles’ crowning 70 years later
WHEN pensioner Adrian Dence sang as a choirboy at the Queen’s Coronation 70 years ago he thought it was a once in a lifetime experience.
But today, the 83-year-old was in the Mall where he was “almost within touching distance” of the King’s golden carriage, had a birds eye view of the Buckingham Palace balcony and described watching history in the making as “spectacular, stunning and simply magical”.
The Sun on Sunday stepped in after Adrian said it was his dream to attend the Coronation of King Charles III with his 83-year-old wife Ann.
He had applied formally to the Coronation Committee, but when we highlighted his story, he then received an invitation.
Retired food technologist Adrian, from Milford on Sea, Hants, said: “Tears were rolling down my face when I saw King Charles as it took me right back to watching history in the making as a 13-year-old choirboy.
“I thought being at Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953 was a once in a lifetime experience – but to be invited to attend King Charles’ Coronation too was just magical.
“It was comparable in its majesty to Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation 70 years ago.
“History and traditions were re-enacted in their fullest extent. It was superb. Even the rain couldn’t dampen spirits.
“There are no words that can express my thanks to The Sun on Sunday and the Department for Culture Media and Sport for making my dream of seeing a second Coronation come true.”
Reminiscing about his teenage duty Adrian, a boarder at St George’s Prep School, Windsor Castle, recalls being woken at 7.30am for the day ahead.
The youngsters were each given a cheese sandwich, a banana and bottle of milk.
And Adrian told how the choristers all drained their bottles, so they could keep their empties in case they were caught short during the historic ceremony.
Adrian said: “We all drank our milk first so that we then had bottles in case we needed the loo. We carried them under our robes.
“I am proud to say I didn’t need mine and neither did any of the other boys from St George’s.
“We were only young boys but there was no misbehaving or joking – we knew we had a professional job to do.”