West Sussex Unwrapped IV: A County Celebrates – Coronations Past and Present

Categories Abigail Hartley, Author, , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on West Sussex Unwrapped IV: A County Celebrates – Coronations Past and Present

With May’s Coronation on the horizon, a first for many in the country, it seems only fitting we look back through the years and see how the County celebrated the formal accession of King Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his grandfather, King George VI.

To help mark this occasion, West Sussex Record Office and Screen Archive South East will be hosting a FREE online talk on the 18th of April. We’ll also be looking to take in records that YOU the reader create at during the long May Bank Holiday. Photographs, films, diaries or art – anything to record your feelings (positive or negative) about this time.

Sound interesting? Well then, let’s head back in time, to see what every corner of the County got up to in 1937 and 1953…

Royal Coronations on Film

Snippet from the films by Screen Archive South East, part of the series for West Sussex Unwrapped.
Please do not use any of the footage or images used within this blog for your own use without first contacting Screen Archives South East or West Sussex Record Office

Book your place on this FREE talk on EventBrite or below. If you miss it, not a problem! Check back in a couple of weeks and it will be available on our YouTube channel!

Register on Eventbrite

Royal Coronations in the Archives

1937 – George VI

George VI’s coronation was notable for one of two reasons. Firstly, a number of things went wrong during the service on the 12th of May in 1937: the Archbishop of Canterbury nearly placed the crown on the King back to front; one bishop stood on George’s train; and another bishop covered up the Coronation Oath with his thumb, nearly blocking the King from speaking!

Black inked invitation against an off white stiff card. Features the coat of arms of various Commonwealth nations, and the coat of arms of George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth
Shillinglee Mss 37/98 – Invitation to the Earl Winterton to the Coronation of George VI

Secondly, as George was the somewhat unexpected successor, the day had originally been planned for his older brother, David, aka Edward VIII. Edward VIII had abdicated before he could be formally be crowned, and thus the planning for his coronation went ahead, albeit with George VI now on the mugs and plates instead of his brother.

As Coronations take a long time to plan, you will occasionally run across items which have Edward’s name on the front, rather than George. For instance, the Earl Marshal (that is, the Duke of Norfolk) orders for what to wear is for Edward’s Coronation – not George’s!

Front and back page lying flat. Details the Earl Marshal's orders concerning the dress to be worn by peeresses with their robes of rank at the coronation
Open two pages detailing the different types of coronets and robes to be worn at the coronation
Shillinglee Mss 37/101 – Orders concerning Robes, Coronets etc., to be worn at the Coronation of King Edward VIII. This coronation never occurred, and instead the planning was used for George VI’s coronation instead

Along with nobility, the clergy were also invited. Within the Diocese of Chichester collection, we hold a copy of the form and order of service for the event at Westminster Abbey.

Black elaborate border with red and black inked text. Front page reads: The Coronation of their majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Form and Order of Service Westminster Abbey 12 May 1937
Ep/IX/8/1/27 – Form and order of service for the Coronation of Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

For those ‘normal’ people lucky enough to be invited to the main event, some guidance on what to wear was necessary. Some invites was more serious than others…

Blue text and a red border for the admittance ticket. Includes dress code for men and women, and is sarcastic in tone. The seat is high up on a tree, and men are encouraged to wear stripy socks, woman red lipstick and shorts. The tickets is described as being edible.
Ep/IX/8/1/27 – Humorous fake ticket for admittance for the Coronation of Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Off white booklet front page tied with a red and blue and white ribbon along the spine. The front cover features a little red and blue coronet, and the city coat of arms in blue. The text, in blue and red ink, reads: Coronation of their majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Wednesday May 12th 1937 City of Chichester Official Programme of Festivities 6d.

But what about back in West Sussex? What was the County up to? Street decorations could be found everywhere; shop fronts made wonderful displays to attract customers. Within Chichester, North, South, East and West Gates were decorated with huge banners, marking the centre of the city. Admittedly they were not as grand as the constructions put together for previous coronations and jubilees (see our earlier blog for the details of those) but they were still a sight to see!

It was common to create souvenir programme’s outlining the day’s events for the public to keep, Chichester was no different in this regard!

Black and white photograph of a shop window taken from the street. It is decorated to tight pulled ribbons and balloons. A mannequin head sits in the centre, wearing a shiny crown.
PH 334 – North Street, Chichester, Brenda’s Hairdressers decorations for the Coronation of George VI, 1937
Black and white photograph. Wide open street with garlands hanging between buildings stretching high above the road. On the left hand side, scaffolding covers the columns of the Corn Market building. On the right, cars are parked all the way up the street. A man with a bicycle and a cart rides up on the left.
Garland N15010 – East Street’s Coronation decorations, 1937.
Sepia toned photograph of North Street, Chichester. Banners and bunting are spread out between the buildings across the street. The largest has lions at each corner, and in the centre a large royal coat of arms. The banner reads North Gate and has the city coat of arms in the middle.
PH 2444 – North Gate’s Coronation decorations, 1937

Outside of Chichester, similar celebrations were occurring. In Storrington, huge floats were sent down the main street in a parade. Horsham had a display of the Kings and Queen of old, marching down in a procession. In Burgess Hill, school log books record the day’s events, describing the giving out of coronation mugs, singing songs, and an early finish for the children.

Black and white photograph of Horsham main street. Bunting and flags cross between the buildings. A line of men in mediaeval costumes ride on horses, with a helper holding the reins of the horses to keep them steady. It appears to be a wet day, with spectators holding umbrellas.
UD/HO/65/1/6 – Procession of Kings and Queens through Horsham, 1937
Black and white photograph. Bunting lines the streets and buildings. Card are park up one side of the road, and there are crowds of people on both sides watching the procession. Floats made to look like boats lead the way.
Garland N15111 – Procession through Storrington, 1937
Written entries for May 11th at the school in the headteacher's hand. Describes the distribution of mugs, signing of songs, a service of thanks and the school being closed early.
E/282B/12/3- Log book for Burgess Hill Junior and Infants’ School, 1937

For the army, the Royal Sussex Regiment had their own role to play, and received a brochure with a photograph of all the men involved for their troubles.

Off white card with a dark blue and orange ribbon binding the spine. The badge of the Royal Sussex Regiment features in the upper centre of the front cover
RSR/PH/4/77 – Illustrated brochure relating to role of 4th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment, during the procession at the coronation of King George VI

George’s reign was not an easy one, but he is often considered to have been a stabilising and reassuring presence during the tumultuous years of the Second World War. He died relatively young, with the stress of ruling cited to have contributed to his failing health. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was only 25 when she became Queen.

1953 – Elizabeth II

You can see our previous blog and film to see one snapshot of what the County was up to that damp day in May. This time round, we’ll jump across West Sussex to see how the planning, pageantry and parties unfolded!

Blue green card for the Coronation stating the stand (49), block (g), row (d) and seat number (4) of the ticket holder. The ticket cost £4
Reverse of the admittance card with a simplified map of the Mall in London, showing the different numbered stalls.
AM 400/3 – Admittance card to Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

As with her father, certain residents of West Sussex were able to go to London for the day itself. AM 400/3 includes an admission ticket to watch the procession as it made its was down the Mall in central London.

As with George VI, much planning was required to get the day perfect. The 2nd of June 1953 was an infamously damp day, but the organisers had no way of knowing such a thing. Within special committee minutes, one can usually find Urban and Rural District Councils planning out the year ahead, discussing games, gifts and other goodies on the day for their own residents.

  • Font cover of Becks British Carnival Novelties. Featuring in blue ink a drawing of a young Queen Elizabeth wearing a tiara with the Union Jack and Royal Banner framing the image
    RD/HO/24/2/3 – Brochure of Becks British Carnival Novelties, collected by Horsham Rural Council, specifically for Crawley
  • Open page of two pasted in typed minutes.
    UD/BH/3/18/1 – Burgess Hill Urban Council’s minutes for the Coronation Celebrations Committee, 1953
  • Open page spread of typed minutes pasted into a volume and signed by the chairman.
    ChiCity/CAD/1 – 29th September 1952 Minutes for Chichester’s Special Coronation Committee

There were also so many souvenir programmes produced – nearly every Parish and Town in the County had their own events for local residents. The overwhelming colour scheme of these booklets was red, white, and blue!

Check out just some of our selection below:

  • Published by gracious permission of her majesty the queen 2s 6d King George's Jubilee Trust. Front cover with the Royal cost of Arms featuring prominently and a golden elaborate border.
    Lib 5287 – The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Approved Souvenir Programme
  • The town coat of arms is found at the upper centre of the front page in blue ink, with ERII written in red ink. In yellow ink, 1953 is written, and towards the bottom of the page in blue ink, it reads Horsham Souvenir Coronation Programme
    Lib 6674 – Horsham’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Off white front cover with a blue and red rectangular border. A crown is drawn in red in the upper centre of the page. The text in blue ink reads: Coronation Day Programme June 2nd 1953 Harting Sussex
    Par 98/43/2 – Harting’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Fron cover with a large black and white photograph of Queen Elizabeth II riding side saddle on horseback. It is surrounded by a thin black border and a thicker red border. The text reads: Souvenir Guide, Price, one shilling. Bognor Regis Celebrations in Honour of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 1953
    AM 841/1/5/2 – Front cover of Bognor Regis’ Coronation souvenir programme
  • Blue front cover tied with a red white and blue ribbon along the spine. Reads in gold ink: Souvenir Programme of events in Lancing on the occasion of the Coronation of H M Queen Elizabeth II 2nd June 1953 Price six pence Saturday 30th May-Saturday 6th June
    Par 118/54/19 – Lancing’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Water stained front cover. A crown sits in the upper centre, flagged by read curtains. A oval black and white portrait of the Queen is in the centre. Underneath, written in red and gold reads: Crawley Down Coronation Souvenir Programme
    Par 298/43/4 – Crawley Down’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Blue and red border with Union flags and roses. Text in blue reads: Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Programme of Celebration at Cuckfield on Tuesday June 2nd 1953
    Par 301/7/57 – Cuckfield’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Red front cover featuring oval black and white photographs, one of the Queen and one of Prince Philip. In blue and white text, the front cover reads: Horsted Keynes, 2nd June 1953 Coronation Day Programme
    Par 384/54/4 – Horsted Keynes’ souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Front cover. A blue border with the coat of arms of the town in the bottom centre of the page. At the top centre of the page is an image of the crown with Elizabeth R in red text. The rest of the text is in blue and reads: Coronation of Her Majestry Queen Elizabeth II June 2nd 1953 Burgess Hill Souvenir Programme
    UD/BH/65/1 – Burgess Hill’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Front page with Borough of Worthing split by a graphic of a crown. A black and white photograph of Queen Elizabeth II has a blue banner wrapped around her chest and shoulders reading Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Underneath the banner reads June 1953, souvenir programme
    AM 507/4/1/7 – Front page of the Borough of Worthing’s souvenir programme for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Exterior open pages with front page and back page. Back page includes the menu for a special coronation dinner and upcoming special films.
    AM 927/2 – Graylingwell Hospital souvenir programme of events celebrating the Coronation
  • Interior pages 2 and 3 showing programme of events from Sunday the 31st of May through to Monday the 8th of June.
    AM 927/2 – Graylingwell Hospital souvenir programme of events celebrating the Coronation

Posters were pasted across the county, giving us the perfect overview of what each village got up to to mark the day. From Arundel to Pulborough, tea time is a common event (perhaps to make use of all the new coronation mugs?)

  • Red text on an on off white poster. Text reads: Borough of Arundel Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Programme Arundel Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Programme for Coronation Day 2nd June 1953 Children aged 5-15 years
    BO/AR/24/1/25 – Posters of the Coronation celebrations
  • Black text on an off white poster. Reads: Borough of Arundel The Coronation Celebrations Committee announce that the sign carded with the Armorial Bearings of the Borough erected in the gardens adjoining the bridge to commemorate the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be unveiled by His Grace the Duke of Norfolk on Sunday 7th March at 3pm.
    BO/AR/24/1/25 – Posters of the Coronation celebrations
  • Blue text on an off white poster page. Reads: Borough of Arundel Coronation Celebrations At the Children's Tea and Sports to be held in the Castle Park on Coronation Day 2nd June 1953 Buffet Teas Minerals and Ices will be available for Parents and Others at reasonable prices
    BO/AR/24/1/25 – Posters of the Coronation celebrations
  • Large poster with a red and blue border featuring the union flag in the corners. Red and blue text outline upcoming events to celebrate the Coronation at the parish church and school
    MP 1365 – Poster for celebrations at Pulborough for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

We have dozens upon dozens of photographs of pageants and street parties taking place across the county – from Fernhurst, Chichester, Pulborough, Duncton and North Mundham, children got involved and dressed up whilst the parents enjoyed a good spot of tea with cake.

  • Black and white photograph. Chuldren in costume representing different dominions and colonies stand on a stage. A man in mediaeval costume stands in front of a microphone reading from a scroll.
    PH 27406 – Fernhurst Coronation Pageant
  • Black and white photograph - six rows of women and children taken on the pavement outside a building. Bunting lines the entryway.
    PH 16220 – Children at Chichester’s Coronation Street Party in 1953
  • Black and white photograph. A girl sits on a small throne, being crowned by a girl with flowers in her hair and long dress. They are surrounded by young girls also in long dresses holding bouquets of flowers.
    PH 7035 – Coronation celebrations at Pulborough, 1953
  • Black and white photograph. Three children in fancy dress; one as a farmer, one as a footman/lobby boy, and another in a bonnet and large dress detailed with union flags and images of the queen. She carried a parasol and a basket of flowers.
    PH 7034 – Coronation celebrations at Pulborough, 1953
  • Black and white photograph. Children and their parents line a table filled with sandwiches and cakes and other treats. A man stands in the centre, posing to cut a small cake.
    PH 7021 – Coronation celebrations at Pulborough, 1953
  • Black and white photograph of the street party in Pulborough. The parish vicar, parents and children are seated enjoying cakes and biscuits that line the long table.
    PH 7020 – Coronation celebrations at Pulborough, 1953
  • Black and white photograph. Three toddlers are dressed up, one in a hooded cloak and white dress holding a basket and flowers, a little boy with a drum kit around his neck, a red coat uniform and tall black hat; a little girl were a frilly bonnet and flouncy dress. The three children stand in a grassy field.
    Garland N39926 – Fancy dress at Duncton, 1953
  • Black and white image of chilren dressed up in different costumes - naval officer, victorian gentleman, milkmaid, red coat soldier and other costumes.
    Outram 1/2/135 – North Mundham Coronation Day fancy dress parade, in the grounds of the school.
Telegram reads: The Queen sincerely thanks you and the staff and girls of the County Secondary School for Girls Littlehampton for your kind and loyal message on the occassion of her majesty's coronation = private secretary

Schools once again closed early, and some, like Littlehampton’s Secondary School for Girls (formerly Maud Allen Girls’ Secondary School, now Littlehampton Academy) sent a message of congratulations to the young Queen. In return, they received a telegram from the Palace thanking them for their kindness.

There was, of course, the necessary planting of Coronation trees, such as AM 734/5/4, showing the planting of a commemorative tree within Bognor’s Hotham Park. Can you still see the tree today?

Black and white photograph of a spruce being planted within the park
Black and white photograph of a spruce being planted within the park
AM 734/5/4 – Planting a tree for the Coronation at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis

Finally, we will end on the Women’s Institute. The Queen was the WI’s longest serving member – having joined in 1943. Many WI’s at the time kept scrapbooks which provide a picture of everyday life in their villages and parishes. Angmering’s WI went one step beyond, and made a special scrapbook for the Coronation. Within this beautiful volume are collections of newspaper clippings of the day, along with photographs of cross-stitching done by members to commemorate the event. Mostly lovely of all, are watercolour drawings done of the Queen and her entourage, putting those glamorous Norman Hartnell dresses on display.

Watercolour and drawing of Queen Elizabeth II in a white and gold coronation gown with a purple cape and crown. behind are are a man and a woman in red coronation robes and coronets
Water colour drawings of the Queens coronation gown, with the roses, thistles and gold coloured on her white dress. Three stylised ladies stand behind her, their wide white dresses also detailed with yellow as gold.
AM 12/3/4 – Sketches made of the Queen and party’s Coronation gowns drawn by members of Angmering’s WI

Queen Elizabeth II would go on to be queen regnant of 32 states during her lifetime, and was Queen of 15 nations at the time of her death (including Canada, Australia, Belize, Jamaica and other countries). Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the longest of any female monarch in history.

2023 – Charles III

Hopefully you can see how important it is record the days events for such momentous occasions. Yes the grand parades in London will receive the lion’s share of attention, but it is worth recording and keeping what local communities and individuals did and thought – the personal matters too! 2023 is a hugely different time to 1953 or 1937; using Coronations to track changing lifestyles, opinions or attitudes can serve as markers for future generations to look back on.

Here at West Sussex, we would love to be able to hold onto and preserve your memories from this day. We would ask that, once the parties are over in May, you would think of us and Screen Archive South East as a place to care for and keep your photos, your films, your souvenir programmes, mementos or anything else you may think future generations would want to find when looking back at the Coronation of King Charles III. Keep in mind this does not need to be solely positive memories either!

If you have paper or digital records you would like to contribute please contact Jenny Mason at West Sussex Record Office. Email: record.office@westsussex.gov.uk

If you have films you would like to contribute please contact Screen Archive South East: screenarchive@brighton.ac.uk

To find about more about the Record Office collections go to:

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/history-and-heritage/west-sussex-record-office/

To find out more about Screen Archive South East and watch over 1200 archive films online go to:     

https://screenarchive.brighton.co.uk

Have you signed up for our free Zoom event 7pm on the 14th of April? Check out the link on our Event Brite page!

Don’t worry if you’ve missed it – the full event will be uploaded onto our YouTube channel the week after.

We’ll also have a small exhibition to view some of these records within reception and along our walls of the searchroom.

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Published by West Sussex Record Office

Celebrating our collections dating from 780AD to the present day, and keeping you up to date with Record Office events

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