“We saw the first dress rehearsal on Tuesday night which was absolutely not what we were expecting. The pair also had the chance to see the first dress rehearsal on Tuesday night, which Ms Tinsley said was an experience she will never forget. “He took both my hands in his and asked ‘have you really been here since Tuesday? That’s absolutely wonderful’,” she said. “It was just mind blowing I feel like such a wuss for crying The pair have been camping on the Mall since Tuesday night, and Ms Hartstone said that getting to meet the King had been the “icing on the cake” of the whole experience.Īn emotional Ms Tinsley said she was feeling quite overwhelmed after meeting the monarch. She said she told the King “we’re with you”, to which he responded: “It’s people like you that count”. On his meetings with Elizabeth over the years, Mr Williams said: 'At the garden parties, before the general public was let in, the Queen would come out to thank everybody.' They were joyful, friendly, and pleased to be there, I think.'

Some had camped overnight, as they are doing now, there was no animosity or anything like that. Mr Williams, who will be watching the King's coronation from home in Betchworth, Surrey, said: 'It was an honour to be part of the coronation and to provide service to the public. In 1952 he joined the St John Ambulance service, aged just 18, when he was invited by a friend, and for the Queen's big day in 1953 he was stationed near Selfridges on Oxford Street. 'This plan is on a scale not seen since the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965,' he said, adding: 'This is a genuine military and civilian combined national effort.'Īn 89-year-old St John Ambulance volunteer who was on duty for the late Queen's coronation said he remembers her crowning ceremony as 'joyful' as he predicts she will be a 'hard act to follow' for the King.ĭerek Williams has met Elizabeth several times over the past 70 years through his volunteering work and being made an MBE, as well as attending garden parties at Buckingham Palace with the service. Meanwhile, his son, Marine Patch Reehal, is part of the marching contingent.īrig Patrick, a commander normally based in Aldershot, Hampshire, said that on an average day preparing for the coronation he oversees the movement of thousands of personnel and the serving of more than 30,000 meals.

The King's Coronation will involve Britain's biggest ceremonial military operation since the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965, the army officer in charge of logistics has said.īrigadier Patrick Reehal is responsible for coordinating thousands of armed forces personnel involved in the ceremony, and ensuring their access to transport and food provision runs smoothly throughout.Īs part of a family with military lineage dating back more than 150 years, he is being assisted by his brother, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Reehal, who serves as the commanding officer of 27 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.

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