How Girlguiding celebrated the King's Coronation
From tea parties in units to volunteering in London, we welcomed Charles III as King
We had so much fun celebrating the King's Coronation at the beginning of May.
From taking part in The Big Help Out to holding a unit party, volunteering in London to renewing our promise, Girlguiding members had a great time welcoming our new King.
Helping at the Coronation
135 volunteers from across all 10 Girlguiding countries and regions volunteered at the Coronation.
'I was one of the team leaders in Hyde Park with the big screens,' says Anna, a Brownie and Guide leader, and district commissioner from east Yorkshire.
'We directed people, let them know how to get home, litter picked and generally helped people with what they needed to know. I also handed out so many flags I lost count! I’ve never been so popular as when I had a bunch in my hand!'
'Everyone was really positive - despite the rain! There were people from all over the world and everyone was really friendly and happy to be there. Lots of people had been there since 7am to stake a good spot in front of the screens with gazebos, tables and inflatable chairs aplenty. Some of the outfits were really intricate too - one man from France had covered himself in mirrors! It was really amazing to be surrounded by so many people all experiencing the same thing.
'The highlight of the day is a toss up between meeting the amazing group of ladies who were part of my team and being part of the crowd when King Charles was officially crowned and everybody cheered. It was hard not to get completely swept up in the moment!'
Yes it was soggy, but great to have played a small part in the history of today #Coronation pic.twitter.com/mr1IZEHlKf
— Vicki Rowe 💙 (@vicki_rowe) May 6, 2023
So many amazing memories made today but overwhelmed with pride for our incredible @Girlguiding #volunteers and being part of this special organisation. Today these amazing volunteers served the King on his #coronation and even the rain couldn’t stop the smiles! pic.twitter.com/MLzv4MKqnq
— Laura Cottey (@lauracottey) May 6, 2023
And a huge, huge thank you to all our incredible volunteers who helped at #Coronation locations across London today 💙 pic.twitter.com/dmJNOzezva
— Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) May 6, 2023
.@Girlguiding volunteers in Hyde Park at the big screen! pic.twitter.com/XLQ9MrbSh5
— Angela Salt (@GirlguidingCEO) May 6, 2023
'Certainly the parts of the ceremony we caught on the nearby big screen were highlights,' says Nicola Lomas, Brownie leader and county commissioner from Warwickshire. 'But my best memory is how bonded you can feel to guiding sisters after such a short time spent together.
'Funnily enough, it was us that felt like celebrities when so many asked for selfies with our cheerful group in guiding uniform and hi-vis jackets, complete with a range of neckers representing our many corners of Girlguiding. Thanks guiding sisters in "Team Hyde Park!"'
Nicola Daley, a Rainbow and Brownie leader and division commissioner in North West England, was a team leader in Hyde Park. She said: 'The atmosphere was amazing, many families and young children dressed in red white and blue. Shouting, cheering and overall enjoying the experience.
'The highlight was the fly over. Even though it was a smaller scale due to the weather it was still amazing to see above our heads. Also seeing the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children passing in their car by the edge of the park.'
Speaking to the media
Advocate Molly spoke to BBC Breakfast about the building excitement ahead of the big day opposite Westminster Cathedral. Members shared their stories and plans with local and regional media and advocates Ellan and Abbie also joined BBC Radio York and BBC Radio Scotland prior to attending a special Coronation screening event at St Margaret’s Church.
A busy morning outside Westminster Abbey ahead of the #Coronation
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 5, 2023
Lots of guests on #BBCBreakfast getting ready for coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla pic.twitter.com/w5zeL3rDqh
Taking part in The Big Help Out
We’re spreading a little kindness as part of #TheBigHelpOut Rainbows have made suncatchers to send to a local residential home and donated books to share with the community. Watch this space for more Lending a Hand in the coming months @Girlguiding pic.twitter.com/zcBSEW9JBK
— 1st Dunston Rainbows (@1stDunston) May 8, 2023
For #TheBigHelpOut we planted wild flower seeds in what has become ‘our’ area of Peebles Cemetery before walking through town to the Drill Hall for a get together with the rest of our district. Well done girls! @Girlguiding @GirlguidingScot @GuidingMembers @BordersCounty pic.twitter.com/u1SsIbqopD
— 1st Peebles Brownies (@1stPeebles) May 8, 2023
Our younger members did a garden makeover @MidSussexVA Cherry Tree Centre this morning, with plants gifted by @BandQ then the older girls did an incredible job of litter picking elsewhere in town - even heaving shopping trollies out of a stream! @Girlguiding @TheBigHelpOut23 pic.twitter.com/WA0dVmfVr9
— 3rd Burgess Hill Brownies (@3rdHill) May 8, 2023
Litter picking around the village by #Rainbows, #Brownies & #Guides today for #BigHelpOut. Even the rain didn't dampen the spirit, especially followed by cake! @Girlguidingnys @Girlguiding pic.twitter.com/MDdA1yXNyP
— Judith Bellamy (@BlackFive42) May 8, 2023
We love seeing what everyone is doing for The Big Help Out! Dumfries and Galloway county are getting stuck in helping out their local community litter picking and gardening 🌻 #TheBigHelpOut #GirlguidingScotland pic.twitter.com/E0VATAm7y1
— Girlguiding Scotland (@GirlguidingScot) May 8, 2023
Going to the Coronation
It was an honour to represent @Girlguiding at the private Coronation screening today at St Margaret’s Church. It was amazing to come together as an organisation alongside other young people to celebrate this historic occasion!! pic.twitter.com/vdKNn0TVpk
— Abbie Wright MSYP (@AbbieMSYP) May 6, 2023
Had an incredible day representing @Girlguiding @GirlguidingSWE as an Advocate at the Coronation today!!!! 👑 pic.twitter.com/BDnWIx4Glu
— Millie 🧗♀️ (@milliejohnson07) May 6, 2023
What an incredible #Coronation day our young members and advocates have had! We were so proud to attend a private screening at Westminster Abbey, then we took to the streets to wave on the procession. An experience we’ll never forget 🌟 pic.twitter.com/dhsPU48s4e
— Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) May 6, 2023
Celebrating in units
It’s coronation week & knowing King Charles loves nature, our 1st Ockford Ridge #Guides made biodegradable plant pots & planted Violas in them. The girls will gift these to friends & neighbours. #ActOfKindness@Girlguiding#OckfordRidge #Godalming #HambledonDistrict #KingCharles pic.twitter.com/xaCry44IQ7
— Girlguiding Hambledon District (@GGHambledon) May 3, 2023
Coronation Crowns! We all loved making our crowns ready to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III! @Girlguiding @Guiding_LaSER @girlguidingLSW pic.twitter.com/MNs5YsoCWU
— 6th Clapham Guides (@6thclaphamguide) May 5, 2023
Happy Coronation Day King Charles III from everyone at 1st Toftwood Brownies #Coronation @Girlguiding @gguidinganglia @guidingnorfolk @central_norfolk pic.twitter.com/Co0XnQUMuM
— 1st Toftwood Brownies (@1stToftwood) May 6, 2023
'Our Brownies chose to have a "Coronation celebration ceremony" on Coronation eve,' says leader Stephanie. 'We thought about how the oaths and pledges the King would be making mirrored our Promise and we talked about how the King's interests (in the environment, young people and diversity) are important for us.
'We made tiffin which we then took to our neighbours on Coronation Day. And we made Coronation fairy bread for ourselves! We also made crowns and had our photos taken on a "throne" as a memento of a special evening.'
1st Wateringbury Guides planned a tea party to celebrate the Coronation, taking part in unit meeting activities to create treats to eat.
'We used the twist that dish unit meeting activity, where they were very creative with devising their own sweet or savoury dips with a selection of ingredients to choose from,' says leader Tiffany.
'It seemed fitting to create something as a record of the unit on this day so we used the make your mark unit meeting activity to make a group piece of art. We have a very artistic young leader who created the amazing King’s cypher template to add to it. The finished wall art work was displayed in the entrance as parents were invited in to view it at the end of the evening.
'To mark this historic event, the Guides all wrote letters to themselves in dear future me activity. They made a choice about when they are going to open it, whether it’s in a year’s time or longer. We have encouraged them to keep them in a safe place so they can enjoy reading it again and learn about themselves now and any advice they gave themselves for the future.'
How did you celebrate the Coronation? Share your story on social media and tag @girlguiding!
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