The Coronation of Queen Victoria

The Coronation of Queen Victoria

(The Leeds Times – Abridged from the Sun on Thursday 29th June, received last night)

At seventeen minutes past three o’clock this morning, a royal salute of twenty-one guns announced the joyous day, when the crown of these great realms was to be placed upon the head of the most popular and beloved Sovereign that has wielded the British sceptre since the days of Alfred. The whole metropolis was literally awakened, and presented a scene of bustle and excitement rarely if ever equalled. After four o’clock the streets were so thronged with carriages and pedestrians that they were in many places impassable, and the whole population seemed to have poured out in the direction of the Parks and of Westminster Abbey. At ten o’clock the procession began to move and as the several illustrious foreigners were recognised they were much cheered, especially Marshal Soult, who acknowledged the compliment by repeated bows. Up to this time the weather had worn the uncertain aspect which had characterised the weather over the last few days. For an hour it seemed doubtful whether sunshine or rain would prevail, but almost upon the instance when the noble looking tars upon the roof of the triumphal arch hoisted the Royal Standard, as the Queen was entering her carriage, the clouds passed away and the sun shone forth with all the brilliancy of mid summer. The tars waved their hats and cheered as the Standard rose. The immense assemblage responded to the cheer with on tremendous shout of joy, which was continued until the royal courtege had passed over Constitution-hill.