For a long time, the British prepared for the coronation of Prince Charles after the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September. This Saturday it was finally time, King Charles III is a fact. Peter and Nelly from Nuenen went to London especially for the coronation. They also reflect on it in Made in Brabant. A pub hands out free beer to Britons.
Nelly van Gelder and her husband Peter lived in London for two years 40 years ago because he was stationed there as a marine. Their son even lives in the British capital. “This is a special place for us and it is very nice to experience these special moments.”
“The fact that you all experience it together makes it so special.”
The couple from Nuenen stood at Trafalgar Square at seven o’clock on Saturday morning for the driving tour of King Charles III. “The crowd was getting bigger and bigger, but in the distance and with our phone call we were still able to see something. What makes it so special is that you all experience it together.”
A week ago, Peter and Nelly retired after decades of running two McDonald’s restaurants. “We now have more time for fun things and this is a good start,” says Nelly enthusiastically. There are all kinds of festivities in the country, because the British are three days off because of the coronation.
“A completely different experience because the historical awareness is greater.”
Ten years ago, the Nuenense was also there when Willem-Alexander was crowned. “But this is really a completely different experience. The sense of history is much greater in England and is passed on from generation to generation. That is why people from all over the world come to London for this.” Where Nelly is very enthusiastic, Peter is a little more reserved. “I really like London, but I could have skipped this,” he says with a laugh.
In Brabant itself, the coronation does not go unnoticed either. “Today is unprecedented,” says London resident Sophie Keppe, who runs ‘The Pub & Churchill’ in Made with her partner Steven. “A new king doesn’t come around often.” She has lived in Made for almost ten years and wanted to ‘do something funny’. That’s why she came up with an action: “Anyone who comes to the pub with a British passport today gets a free beer.”
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A week earlier, Sophie celebrated the traditional Dutch King’s Day in her pub. “I think it’s better how the Dutch deal with the Royal Family,” she admits. “I hope Charles will break the tradition that you stay on the throne until you die. Everyone loves William, I think his coronation will be an even bigger celebration.”
“With the TV on and a beer in hand I’m happy”
In the afternoon it is still quiet in the pub, and the people who enter come from all over the world, except the United Kingdom. “The British might be sitting in front of the TV themselves,” Sophie guesses. “Perhaps I would have liked to be in London too, among the festivities. But with the TV on and a beer in hand, I’m happySophie laughs.
At the English bakery Bij Bloem in Den Bosch, the door was trampled by people who come to pick up the typical British scones. Owner Debbie, who comes from England herself, can barely cope with the crowds. “Most people take the scones with them to eat at home in front of the TV.” She herself is not a big fan of the Royal Family. “But I do realize that it is a special event for my native country. I secretly check my smartphone.”