SURPRISE APPEARANCES AROUND THE UK A LUNCH WITH ROYALTY PICNICS AND PARTIES IN THE SUNSHINE WITH SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS
REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN
A s the nation came together at street parties and celebrations up and down the country, the royal family thrilled revellers by dropping in to join some of them for lunch.
The Prince and Princess of Wales surprised royal fans enjoying the Coronation Big Lunch in Windsor, while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined celebrations in Surrey. Elsewhere, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie mingled with locals on a village green in Buckinghamshire and the Princess Royal and husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended a street party in Swindon.
TUCKING IN
More than 67,000 Coronation Big Lunch community events took place in all four corners of the UK as the country was encouraged to share food and friendship the day after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. And the King’s family made sure they were part of it.
On the Long Walk at Windsor Castle, Prince William and Kate chatted to well-wishers and posed for selfies during an impromptu 40-minute walkabout, while families enjoyed picnics in the sunshine and others waited for the Coronation Concert being held that evening.
The flag-waving crowd gave three cheers for the royal couple and chanted: “God save the King,” while Kate thanked one fan who told her: “Can I just say you looked absolutely beautiful yesterday – stunning.”
As they mingled, a group of women enjoying a picnic of quiche, cucumber sandwiches and coronation-themed cupcakes offered the royal couple cocktails and local beer, including a gin called Purple Reign and an organic ale named Return of the King.
Dion English, 54, said of William: “I feel amazing that he tried my gin. He said it was very nice and said: ‘Kate, try this.’ He took the Return of the King beer and said he’s going to ask his dad if he’s tried it.”
FAIRYTALE COME TRUE
During a touching encounter, Kate, in a pale-blue Reiss blazer and black crepe cigarette trousers from LK Bennett, comforted one tearful little girl who seemed overwhelmed by meeting a real Princess.
“Do you want a hug?” she asked, wrapping her arms around the emotional youngster when she replied: “Yes, please.”
Meanwhile, William chatted to another young girl who asked where Princess Charlotte was. “She’s very tired after yesterday,” he replied. “She’s having a quiet day at home. It was making sure her little brother behaved himself.”
The Prince revealed that nine-year-old Prince George is a fan of rock music. “He was telling us that in their hou
