Americans go wild for King at Coronation party in New York
“This is going to be another milestone to remember for a long time.”
Waving their Union Jack flags, popping champagne corks, and sporting glittering plastic crowns, fans soaked up the Sun and celebrated the historic event from their picnic blankets at the regal gathering on Saturday afternoon.
The Big Lunch Coronation Picnic – organised by St. George’s Society New York – saw a small corner of the 843-acre park fully transform into a British wonderland, decked out in red, white and blue.
Expats congregated, sharing stories from back home while enjoying British delicacies such as breakfast tea, scones, mini quiches and pork pies.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, president of St. George’s Society, David Drinkwater, said: “It’s a special day. I think everybody always remembers big events like this. Growing up in the UK, I remember the Silver Jubilee, and of course, the royal wedding.
“This is going to be another milestone to remember for a long time.”
More than 250 people showed up in their finery basking in the Coronation hype. Organisers were “chuffed” that so many stepped out to join them in their celebrations, even though some had been up since 5 am to watch the elaborate ceremony.
Children lined up patiently, excited to have their faces decorated with Britain’s national flag, oblivious that they are now a part of history.
Their parents, not wanting to miss out on all the fun, treated their feet like royalty as they threw off their shoes, walking around in just St. George’s Society’s commemorative Coronation socks.
Dan Morris, who moved over to New York from the UK seven years ago, said: “Today has been fantastic. It’s something that has united both nations as so many Brits and Americans have enjoyed the day together. I’m glad that it’s happening.
“We at St. George’s Society have a royal patron, so it’s important for our members to celebrate these sorts of things to pay the royal family back for everything they have done for us.”
Dressed perfectly for the occasion, in a bright red suit, Anne Akiri said the Coronation was “one of the best British days” during her 20 years living in New York.
Elsewhere in the city, English pubs were packed to rafters, clad out with bunting, ready to accept excited punters from as early as 4 am.
The Churchill Tavern in Kips Bay, Tea & Sympathy café in Greenwich Village and British-themed bodega Myers of Keswick – which has built a following in the Big Apple through its offerings of British snacks including HP Sauce, English mustard and Marmite – were among the hot spots for New Yorkers on Saturday.
In the morning, diplomats, head chefs, CEOs and other members of the city’s high society gathered for a live screening of the ceremony at David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center. Attendees were even treated to a rendition of the National Anthem by Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins.
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