So King Charles got his Big Hat then. I know, I know, it’s old hat to be flippant about the coronation. Sure, it is an expensive ceremony, a chance to get all the old shiny things out and invite all the old wrinkly things in, play some music, wave some flags, interview lots of people and give Charles a massive crown. But I appreciate that this is an important moment, one that most of us have never actually seen before, given the last one was 70 years ago, and in black and white.  I didn’t get up in the middle of the night to watch any of it, instead we watched a replay of the whole thing on YouTube. It was long, so of course I sketched the TV and surrounding areas while it went on. It was like watching the World Cup again, drawing my TV cabinet, writing down some of the things the commentators said. It was a historic moment, not because there was anything unexpected, maybe because there wasn’t. I really liked the music. Westminster Abbey is a stunning location visually, but aurally it’s incredible. Cathedrals tend to be, it’s one of the reasons I love cathedrals. Yes yes, Westminster Abbey isn’t a ‘cathedral’. It’s not an ‘abbey’ either, it’s a ‘Royal Peculiar’, but who is splitting hairs. I liked the bit when they were playing Holst’s The Planets, the conductor was very entertaining. All the people coming in, it was fun face-spotting, but I was mots surprised and delighted when they announced “Baroness Benjamin”, and it was Floella Benjamin! Kids TV presenter from when I was very small, I absolutely LOVED Floella, PlaySchool was my favourite program other than perhaps the Mr Men. The Round Window, all those toys like Big Ted, Humpty, and that strange little doll Hamble. I was hoping to see them at Westminster Abbey too, the PlaySchool toys, Jemima and Humpty, Big Ted and Little Ted, and Poppy (who I remember replaced Hamble), all sitting there looking out at all the royals and dignitaries. When Charles and Camilla came, I thought they looked very nervous. I imagined him talking to his plants (as he does) before the ceremony to ease his nerves, “I’ve been waiting a loooong time for this moment, my little green friend”. They got their massive crowns, Charles did that whole anointing thing, there were the ritual objects like the ‘Rod of Equity and Mercy’ and the ‘Robe of Righteousness’ – that sounds like something James Brown would wear – the ‘Rod of Jane and Freddy’ – no wait I’m mixing up PlaySchool with Rainbow now. In preparation we watched the film The King’s Speech, which is a good one. Anyway, King Charles the Third and Queen Camilla were crowned, they went back to Buckingham Palace, it was all very exciting for everyone there, and I’m glad I wasn’t in London with all those crowds. I did that last year for the Queen’s Jubilee with my Mum, who loves all of this pomp and party. I ordered her a special Coronation afternoon tea and scones set from Marks’s. Me and my wife did watch the whole thing though, all however-many-hours it was,  on YouTube (I was wondering if in Shakespeare’s time they would watch coronations on ThouTube), so I’ve done my civic duty as a far-away Brit who doesn’t really mind that much. I spent the rest of the day playing Horizon Forbidden West, and packing for an upcoming short trip back over to Blighty.