Pam Hawley Marlin
June 2023
This post includes photos of William and Kate at the Dog and Duck, Coronation Day, the Buckingham Palace Balcony, the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey, and Tea at The Savoy. The entire photo album can be viewed at PHOTOS.
Kate and William at the Dog and Duck PHOTOS.
Princess Kate at the Dog and Duck. P Marlin 2023
“See it. Say it. Sorted.” played in my mind as we stepped off the Elizabeth Line at Tottenham Court Road in London. Navigating the unfamiliar streets toward our Airbnb, we were exhausted after a nerve-wracking dash through the Miami airport to catch our connecting flight followed by a sleepless red-eye. We had arrived in London for the coronation of Charles III, a once-in-a-lifetime event afforded by a reasonably priced ticket to London from our usually pricey regional airport. Though this trip had been planned with attention to detail, we had no idea what surprises awaited us—or if we’d even get a glimpse of the royal family.
I had hoped to see Kate, the Princess of Wales, during the coronation procession along The Mall. Yet, logically, I knew the odds were slim. As we headed south on Dean Street toward our Airbnb, however, something caught our attention: a growing crowd near Bateman Street. Curious, we asked a police officer about the commotion, and he casually mentioned that a member of the royal family might be making an appearance at the nearby Dog and Duck Pub. Our interest was perked.
Exhausted and loaded down with luggage, I hesitated for a moment. Should I just go straight to the Airbnb and rest? But what was I thinking? How many opportunities would I have to see a member of the royal family? This was a decision I couldn’t regret. We squeezed through the small crowd, getting as close as we could to the pub. As we squirmed into a small space behind a gentleman holding a bouquet of flowers, we soon realized that this small action would turn out to be surprisingly significant.
The anticipation was escalating as photographers crowded the Frith Street entrance of the Dog and Duck. Then, just briefly, I caught a glimpse of something vibrant—a flash of red so bright it could only belong to a royal wardrobe. My breath caught in my throat. Could it be her? Could it be Kate? As we continued to watch, a bystander accidentally wandered into the secure area set up for the royals. Quickly escorted away, the incident had caught everyone's attention, even Kate. Spotting the commotion, Kate peaked around the corner, and grinned—a fleeting, genuine smile. It was then that I saw her, the Princess of Wales, and all the fatigue and effort of our journey melted away.
We patiently waited as Kate, and William, who was also in attendance, remained inside the Dog and Duck. Eventually, a royal staffer approached the gentleman with the flowers in front of us and informed him that Kate would come over to accept them. Incredulous at this statement, I tensed in the moment. Then, before I realized what was happening, Kate emerged from the Dog and Duck and eagerly ran over to the man with the bouquest of flowers, then stood right in front of us.
Like anyone eager to capture a special moment while also living in it, I somehow managed to do both. I snapped plenty of photos and recorded videos as Kate graciously accepted the bouquet of flowers and engaged with the people around us. It was a lovely and heartwarming scene. In that moment, I felt the pinnacle of my coronation experience. While the grand ceremony of Charles III’s coronation awaited us, it was as though I’d already witnessed the most meaningful part of the trip.
After greeting the crowd around the pub, we caught a final glimpse of Kate and William as they departed the area in a sleek black car. Later, we learned that Kate and William had also taken the Elizabeth Line on their way to the Dog and Duck.
Coronation Day PHOTOS.
Little Charlotte and Princess Kate during the Coronation Processional. P Marlin 2023
Before our trip for the coronation, we studied past events along The Mall to help us determine the best spot for viewing the procession. We determined that to see the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, we’d need to position ourselves close to the Admiralty Arch. This area tended to open for the procession toward Buckingham Palace earlier than the sections closer to the palace itself.
The day before the coronation, we soaked in the festive atmosphere, exploring Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Fortnum & Mason, and the streets decked out in coronation decorations. When we arrived at The Mall, we saw the tents of dedicated spectators who had already camped out and the media tents set up near Buckingham Palace. Determined to get a good view, we decided to arrive early and position ourselves across from the Duke of York column.
To our surprise, when we arrived around 4 a.m., the foot traffic was light, and we walked straight to our chosen spot with ease. We weren’t the only Americans in the crowd, which made me pause and reflect on why I was there, considering how hard our founding fathers once fought for independence from the British. But for me, beyond my fascination with Kate, this was about something more—a chance to witness a thousand year old tradition, purely for the history and significance of the moment. After all, my ancestors were primarily from England, Scotland, and Wales.
The day turned rainy, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of the loyal British crowd around us. As the procession began, a group of protesters carrying "Not my King" signs moved behind us, sparking an immediate reaction from the crowd, who shouted for them to leave. As the day wore on, we got to know the Brits standing nearby, sharing stories and laughs. We even watched the coronation together on my iPhone, while a glance over our shoulders gave us a view of Westminster Abbey through the vibrant spring foliage—a beautiful backdrop for the historic event unfolding in real time.
As the coronation procession moved forward, we saw Charles and Camilla passing by in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach on their way to Westminster Abbey, accompanied by military bands and personnel. During the return processional, Charles and Camilla rode in the Gold State Coach. The Gold State Coach is a lavish, historic carriage used by the British royal family for major occasions, especially coronations. Since 1831, it has featured in every coronation and is also seen during jubilees and State Openings of Parliament. If it had been a sunny day, the carriage's golden exterior might have glinted so brightly as to be almost blinding.
William, Kate and their children were also part of the Coronation Processional from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. We could clearly see little Charlotte and Kate through the windows. It was amazing.
Buckingham Palace Balcony PHOTOS.
The Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. P Marlin 2023
The success of the day truly hinged on our plan to reach Buckingham Palace in time to see the Royal Family on the balcony. Just as we’d hoped, the barriers near us opened, allowing us to quickly fall in line with the flow of people heading to the palace. Seeing the massive crowd ahead, I doubted we’d get close enough to see much, but up to that point, the day had already been fantastic.
As we stepped onto The Mall and turned toward Buckingham Palace, my American instinct urged me to push forward to ensure a better view, but we kept pace with the steady, controlled flow of patient people heading toward the palace. As we approached the statue of Queen Victoria, I felt my anticipation grow. Could we make it? Then, to my amazement, we actually passed around the statue, and suddenly, the palace was right in front of us. That urge to dart ahead nearly got the best of me, but my son grabbed my jacket, gently reminding me to hold back a bit.
We continued patiently with the crowd, and at last, the balcony came into view. We had made it! Coronation Day had been a complete success, and I couldn’t have been happier.
Westminster Abbey PHOTOS.
Coronation Chair in place in front of the
High Altar on the ancient Cosmati Pavement. P Marlin 2023
Having secured tickets in advance, I eagerly anticipated my visit to Westminster Abbey to see the Coronation Chair. Upon entering the Abbey, we queued to see the Coronation Chair positioned on the ancient Cosmati Pavement as it was during the ceremony. The 700-year-old Coronation chair, one of the oldest pieces of English furniture still in use, has been central to British coronations since King Edward I who commissioned it in 1296. The Stone of Scone, which had been brought from Scotland for the Coronation, also rested in the chair, reinforcing the historical significance of the moment.
The Anointing Screen used in the Coronation ceremony was also on temporary display in the Abbey. This embroidered screen showcases a tree with 56 leaves, symbolizing each Commonwealth nation, with names inscribed. Birds, a dove symbolizing peace, and angels are depicted, alongside crosses on the sides. At the base, a scroll displays Julian of Norwich’s quote: “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Another highlight of the visit to Westminster Abbey was experiencing the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries for the first time. This gallery offers a unique perspective of the ancient Abbey and, for our visit, a particularly historic view of the Coronation Chair situated on the Cosmati Pavement. The galleries showcase a range of artifacts and insights into the Abbey's rich history
Tea at The Savoy PHOTOS.
You know you've truly arrived when you can stroll into The Savoy for afternoon tea without a second thought about the cost .. at least until my husband nearly choked at the menu prices! Still, the tea experience was fantastic, and it included my very first taste of caviar.
Who could attend an English coronation without stopping by The
Savoy for a classic afternoon tea?