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This special display took you behind the scenes of preparations to televise Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, revealed in photographs from the Daily Herald Archive.
Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 and planning for the coronation began almost immediately. It was set for 2 June 1953, to leave an appropriate mourning period for the late King George VI and to complete all the detailed arrangements. It was at the Queen’s personal request that the whole coronation service was televised. All around the world, people could see Queen Elizabeth publicly undertake the Coronation Oath and be crowned.
Excitement built daily in the run up to the event, something that the newspapers were happy to cover in their pages. The Daily Herald was no exception, reporting on all aspects of the Coronation and its preparations. This has left a rich photographic archive of this momentous occasion, cared for by the National Science and Media Museum.
Images
‘Proclaiming Queen Elizabeth. London: The colourfully clad Lancaster Herald, Mr. A.G.B. Russell, reading the proclamation of accession of Queen Elizabeth II at Charing Cross. The proclamation, first read at St. James's Palace, was afterwards read at various parts of the City of London.’ 8/2/1952.
‘Making Lining for Queen's Coronation Robe Sudbury, Suffolk. Forewoman Mrs. Ivy Noon operates a hand bobbin winder…as she belts in the manufacture if the satin which will line the Queen's Coronation Robe. In the background may be seen 17 year old weaver Miss Gwen Curtis, also engaged in making the satin.’ 3/12/1952
‘Model of the Coronation Route. M.O.W. Team Construct Scale Replica. Model of preparatory work for the Coronation, including one of the entire route between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, complete in every detail, are being made by twelve members of the Chief Architect's division of the Ministry of Works.’ 3/ 12/52
‘Coronation Flags in the making: It's a family business. The lady 'wears' a crown - at least that's how it appears in the picture. Mrs. Nellie Webb was hanging out the 'washing' of the firm she works for, a textile printing concern which is producing flags and bunting for decorating the Coronation route and elsewhere.’ 6/01/1953
‘Preparing the official Coronation Programme. With five weeks to the Coronation, girls at Odhams Press are busily engaged preparing the Official Programme. Mrs. Jennie Stapleton, aged 56, and Miss Florrie Starns, aged 43, engaged at work on the programmes. They also assisted with the programme for the coronation of George VI.’ 27/4/53
‘Coronation Gift for Coronation Road. London: The youngsters of Coronation Road, West Ham were quick to gather when London decoration manufacturer Mr Goodman (right) presented Coronation decorations for the benefit of the road today. The Mayor of West Ham, Alderman Moorey (with chain) accepted the gift on behalf of Coronation Road.’ 16/05/1953
‘Spying on the crowds. Flags, bunting and pictures of the Queen hide the whole facade of this block of flats- Reidy House, Maroon Street, Stepney. ‘Hey, look at our show,’ called out the proud tenants to passers-by yesterday.’ 31/05/1953.
‘Coronation preparations. Midnight coffee before bedding down in The Mall this morning-with nearly 26 hours to wait. The girls who come from Australia, Betty Kinsley, of Queensland, Noina Binstead, of Sydney and Dorothy Thomas, of Queensland.’ 31/05/53
‘Showery for coronation. Alas, the weather was not all that it might have been for this most important day, and here is a scene in Trafalgar Squares spectators prepared for the worst.’ 02/06/1953
Queen Elizabeth II during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London. Unlike films, this series of John Cura's Tele-Snaps (photographs taken directly from television screens) provided a crucial record of the Coronation as it actually appeared to the television audience in 1953.
© National Science and Media Museum/Science & Society Picture Library
‘Coronation procession returns after Queen's Crowning. Commonwealth contingents passing along Cockspur Street, near Trafalgar Square, during the return procession from Westminster Abbey after the crowning there of Queen Elizabeth today.’ (Tuesday). 02/06/1953
‘The East End, true to loyal tradition, is putting on a tremendous show of Coronation colour. Street Party. One of the long tables laid out in Swinbrook Road, with 'under 5s' tucking in to their Coronation Party organised by the residents.’ 07/06/1953
'The Queen on the balcony. Smiling and waving to the vast cheering crowds below, the Queen appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the second time this evening, June 2, since her return in state procession from her coronation at Westminster Abbey this afternoon.’ 02/06/1953
All images and original text captions © Daily Herald Archive, National Science and Media Museum/SSPL unless stated.
