The residents of Greensleeves’ Henley House remember the days of learning coronation hymns in school, trying to get used to chanting ‘God Save the Queen!’ - just as so many of us still stumble over ‘God Save the King’. 

Shirley Collop, 88, was a sixth form pupil at Brentwood County High School in 1953. 

“You have to remember that this was a huge event in everybody’s lives,” said Shirley. “We had lived through the war and years of rationing, when suddenly, here was a day to let your hair down.” 

Elizabeth II was just 25 when she was crowned Queen. Image: PA (Image: PA)

Shirley Collop, 88, was a sixth former at the time of the late Queen's coronation. (Image: Newsquest)

She had wanted to go up to London, as several of her friends planned to do – but her mother wouldn’t allow it. 

Instead, they gathered around the black and white television set owned by her mother’s employer. They set the television in front of a large, magnifying mirror, and watched dignitaries making their way to Westminster Abbey. 

Shirley was particularly taken with the Queen of Tonga, who sat in an open-topped carriage, despite the heavy downpour, beaming at the crowds. 

Elizabeth II making her way to her coronation in 1953. Image: PA (Image: PA)

Annie Catchpole went with a friend to watch the late Queen's coronation. (Image: Newsquest)

Annie Catchpole, 100, remembers waving to the Queen. She lived in London at the time, and had caught a train with her friend, Joyce, at 2am to secure a spot from which to watch the procession. 

“It was wonderful,” said Annie. “The carriages were beautiful, all in gold and pulled by horses. Our Queen looked lovely. She waved, and I said to Joyce, she waved especially to us! 

“Afterwards, we climbed over a fence and sat in St James’ Park, and settled down with our sandwiches to read the evening newspapers.” 

Peter Hardy, too, was amongst the crowds with his brother.  

“We went up the night before and stood in the street all night,” said Peter, 92. “We got soaking wet, and we didn’t even get a seat!” 

Unbeknownst to Peter, his future in-laws were just a short distance away, for his father-in-law served as Principle Chaplain to the Queen. 

Peter Hardy (sitting beside Joyce Swann) went to London to stand in the crowds. (Image: Newsquest)

Pamela Hunt was also in London, working as a nurse at St Mary’s Hospital. 

“We drew lots as to who would have to work, and unfortunately, I had to,” said Pamela. “We didn’t have many patients in, but for those we did, we pushed their bed out into reception and a great, big television screen was brought in.” 

The patients were captivated. “When we had dressings or other treatments to do, we had to push their beds out and finish as quickly as we could, so they didn’t miss too much!” said Pamela. 

The new Queen Elizabeth II waving to her subjects, with the future King Charles III to her right. Image: PA (Image: PA)

Ted Parkins (sitting beside Phyllis Richardson) had just finished serving in the army at the time of the 1953 coronation. (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, Ted Parkins was 24 and had just finished seven years' service in the army. His parents were lucky to have an impressive nine-inch television set, and were the envy of the village. 

“All the neighbours piled in. Our tiny cottage was packed!” remembered Ted. “They all brought their rations, and my mother was busy making tea for everyone. At that time, most people hadn’t seen a television before.” 

He spent the morning working outside on his new motorbike. 

Audrey Lamb (left, sitting beside Joan Marsten) watched the coronation at home with her family. (Image: Newsquest)

Like Shirley, Audrey Lamb can also remember learning Zadok the Priest. She watched the coronation at her parents' house, where they were joined by her grandparents. Audrey was a mother to two small children herself, and remembers being kept busy running around after them, and making sure their guests were well fed and watered. 

The residents all gathered in the cinema room at Henley House on Saturday, eager to watch the new King Charles III as he ascended the throne, just as they had cheered for the young Elizabeth II decades before.