It was stately and magnificent – and I'm sure the King gave a smile to Caithness
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Lord Thurso, Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, gives his account of the coronation in Westminster Abbey... and reveals what he said to fellow guest Lionel Richie
Alarm at 5.30, but already awake.
Arrive at Westminster Hall at 7.00 where peers are putting on robes and heralds are in white breeches and open-neck shirts waiting to get full uniforms on. Manage to grab a cup of coffee.
As one of two sitting lords who are also Lord-Lieutenants we can wear parliamentary robes. I decide as I am there representing Caithness as Lord-Lieutenant I will not wear robes. My colleague agrees!
At 07.30 the Abbey doors open. I have been allocated a seat in the Nave. As parliamentarians are the first to be let in, I enter the Great West Door among the first dozen which means I get a front-row seat near the Quire screen.
I find myself next to a former private secretary to HM who I met at Mey, so lots to talk about. My wife Marion is watching on TV and spots me noting I am sitting in front of Lionel Richie (who I talk to and who is charming – he asks who the people in robes are and luckily I am able to tell him most of them).
At 09.00 the music begins. The scale, quality and range of the music is quite outstanding. For the next hour and a half we have a moving and wonderful selection of great old favourites (Nimrod, Variations on Greensleeves, Crown Imperial, with Bach and Handel), all mixed in with new compositions – a stunning solo by Pretty Yende of Sacred Fire, composed for the occasion, being one.
Somehow two hours have passed quickly and the processions start.
First the faith leaders, then a pause and the next procession is the Churches of the UK – Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. I catch the eye of the Most Reverend Mark Strange, the Episcopal Primus, who lives in Caithness!
Then follow the Speakers of the Lords and Commons in full robes, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales. Then comes the former UK Prime Ministers in order of defeat! Sir John Major leads with Sir Tony Blair a respectful distance behind; then Gordon Brown, followed by David Cameron, then a gap to a group of three, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. A wag near me comments quietly: “Well, that's this year's prime ministers – where are next year's?”
Then the procession of Commonwealth nations looking magnificent and each country group preceded by their flag. Then the visiting royals in a wonderful array of uniforms and decorations.
The emotion is overwhelming and I feel the honour of representing my home county and all its people at this solemn ceremony.
And suddenly the hours have passed and the King’s procession comes past. It is stately and magnificent with all the office-bearers and ancient office-holders in correct order.
Finally the Queen and then the King. He looks straight at me as I bow and I am sure he gives a smile to Caithness.
It is 11.00 and the service begins. It is unbelievably moving. The music lifts the soul. The solemnity of the occasion is majestic. The service is both complex yet simple, for at its heart it is a Christian consecration of a King to the service of his people.
The emotion is overwhelming and I feel the honour of representing my home county and all its people at this solemn ceremony.
Suddenly two hours have passed, the service is over, and the King’s procession leaves. It has been a wonderful, almost overwhelming, but joyous five hours. The mood is festive as we wait to be allowed to leave. I wish Lionel Richie luck for the concert and then off back to join Marion.
On the tube back, in morning dress and decorations, clutching my prized programme, a fellow traveller asks me: “Had a good day, mate?”
My reply: “You bet, mate, you bet!”
