I was 9 a few days before the Queen's coronation. My uncle had bought my grandparents a television, it had a tiny screen inside a huge wooden cabinet. My grandma had invited friends and neighbours in to watch it her house was packed.She laid on a huge tea party with all of us huddled round that tiny screen.
My brother had been born a few days before and the people in our street bought him one of those pram rattles that stretched across the pram, big red white and blue plastic balls on a length of elastic. He was the street's Coronation baby.
I have never met any Royal person, but my dad said he had danced with the Duchess of Windsor during WW2. He was serving in the Merchant Navy and his ship had docked somewhere in the USA. There was a party being held for British servicemen and the Duke and Duchess were present and my dad said the Duchess did a waltz with all the servicemen there, changing partners every few minutes.At the time she was still a hate figure in this country but my dad said she was perfectly charming to him, mind he never told my mother what she had said to him!. Afterwards he would not have a bad word said about her. Which was something coming from my dad who was no fan of the royal family.
Tuchel urges parents to let kids stay up for England game


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