People brave rain to celebrate King's Coronation in the West Midlands
- Published
People across the West Midlands braved the rain to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III at events in the region.
Umbrellas were the order of the day at big screen sites including in Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent.
They watched the ceremony as it took place at Westminster Abbey in London.
"We may not see another one in our lifetime," Bunty Rawson said at Shrewsbury Castle.
She said while not all her family shared her support for the Royal Family, she wanted to do something special for the Coronation.
"It's a special event and I'm very pleased we're here to celebrate it," she added.
Elsewhere in Shropshire, town cryer Steve Harwood proclaimed the Coronation in Wellington, Telford.
"I wish the sovereigns a long, happy, healthy and successful reign," he said, before he led a cheer of "God Save the King" and a brass band played the national anthem.
Sham Singh brought his family to a Coronation event in Madeley, Telford.
"It's a good celebration. It means a lot, the new leader of the UK, for Charles to become King is quite a moment," he said.
Red and blue bunting decorated the Smithfield site hosting the big screen in Stoke-on-Trent city centre.
Organiser Tiffany Chevis said she could "not be happier" that everything came together for the event.
"It has been an absolute whirlwind, it's taken about nine weeks to pull this all together," she said.
Meanwhile, about 600 people sheltered from the rain to watch the big screen set up in the Birmingham's Centenary Square.
Christopher Matthews cycled 12 miles from Brownhills, near Walsall, to join the crowd and the 60-year-old wore a Union flag cycling helmet, jersey, shorts and socks.
He said: "You have got to be patriotic, especially on a special day. It's once in a lifetime really isn't it?"
Deborah Arthur, from Solihull, was born in the coronation year of the late Queen Elizabeth II and attended the screening with her daughter and granddaughter.
"It's a piece of history. We just thought it would be lovely for them to remember and look back on the photos."
The weather was also damp at Himley, near Dudley, but umbrellas were out as the crowd watched on the big screen.
The event was a "wonderful occasion to be at", the town's mayor Sue Greenaway said.
"I remember the Queen's Coronation - I was only three and I do remember it even now, in my 70s, so I am thinking the young children here, they'll still remember this when they are my age," she said.
Among the crowd was Nadine, who said she and her friends wanted to watch the Coronation but not at home.
"It's history, making history and nice for the kids to be here and experience the atmosphere," she said.
The Coronation was also marked with an afternoon tea party for children who were being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Organised by the Ronald McDonald House Charities, staff along with parents joined the youngsters to wave union flags and eat sausage rolls and Bakewell tarts.
In Rugby, Warwickshire, brollies were also much in evidence for the big screen at Caldecott Park.
Jenny was among those who gathered: "It's a great occasion and we want to share it with everybody. I'm very excited."
The town's Ukrainian community also celebrated at the community centre on Hill Street with afternoon tea and wine.
About 100 people sheltered with ponchos and umbrellas at Leamington Pump Room gardens until the rain eased in the afternoon.
Haley Hood said she "got a bit drenched" but did not mind as she and her friends were having a good time.
"It's been good for the atmosphere - we've done lots for the Royalty in the past so was just good for King and country, rain or shine."
All babies being delivered at hospitals in Staffordshire on Saturday will be given a present to mark the Coronation.
New arrivals at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust will be given a royal-themed teddy bear, the trust said.
Nursing staff were also given a chance to celebrate the day at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.
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