GREETING DELIGHTED WELL-WISHERS ON A SURPRISE ROYAL WALKABOUT ON THE MALL CHARLES IS JOINED BY WILLIAM AND KATE ON THE EVE OF THE CORONATION
REPORT: SALLY MORGAN
T he day before the coronation, the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales thrilled royal fans when they stepped out for an impromptu walkabout on The Mall in London.
As Prince William and Kate warmly greeted the crowds – who had camped out for days to secure their place on the procession route to Westminster Abbey – the King shook hands with delighted well-wishers to rousing cries of “hip, hip, hooray!” and “God save the King”.
The monarch smiled as people, amid a sea of Union flags, wished him luck – while one held a banner featuring a picture of the late Queen and the words: “Mummy would be proud.”
There were cheers for William and Kate, too, as they posed for selfies with fans. Looking picture-perfect in a monochrome dress by Jenny Packham, the Princess told one: “It’s a moment of celebration. Enjoy tomorrow.”
FULL OF PRAISE
There was a royal double encounter for Christy Butler from Florida, who not only shook hands with William outside the Dog and Duck pub in Soho the day before, but also met his father the King. “He said: ‘You’re American! You’re not camping out here, are you?’” she told HELLO!. “I’m shaking. He was so kind, and thorough, taking his time to talk to everyone.
“That was unbelievable – it doesn’t feel like real life,” she added. “I have been watching this man on TV my entire life and it’s an absolute dream that I got to meet the royals.”
Sicilia Hendry from Claygate, Surrey, was also full of praise for the King after her royal meeting. “He greeted his people with respect,” she told us. “He was doing
