On Saturday 6th May 2023 the nation witnessed the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty, Queen Camilla and Coram Beanstalk were delighted to have been invited to take part in the celebrations.

Queen Camilla has been a Patron of Coram Beanstalk since 2013.

Two of our longest-standing members of staff, Amy Lewis and Kate Loynes were honoured to accompany four of our volunteer champions and their guests to the bandstand seating positioned outside Buckingham Palace, with a ring-side view of processions to and from Westminster Abbey. Whilst the uncovered seating afforded little protection from the good old British weather, they did provide the Coram Beanstalk group with a once-in-a-lifetime and memorable experience of the occasion

 

Karen McGrath, a reading helper volunteer in Sevenoaks, said:

Thank you for the invitation and opportunity to attend the coronation with seats at the Queen Victoria memorial on Saturday. Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and meeting some of the other volunteer champions. A memorable day and a great experience, albeit a little wet!

And Karen also told us that her 6 year old nephew proudly told all his classmates and teachers that..."My Aunty was invited to the coronation because she likes reading with children in schools!"

We were also invited to attend the Royal Garden Party on Tuesday 8th May, continuing the celebrations - so another four of our lucky reading helpers were able to enjoy the Palace's hospitality, rubbing shoulders with their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. 

Bernard Morris, a reading helper in Leeds, said "the occasion was brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable", and Barbara Kiernan who volunteers for us in Bath said:

It was such an amazing day. I will really treasure the memories. How rare to have the chance to wander around Buckingham Palace and eat a royal scone with jam and cream! I absolutely loved it and felt it was a great privilege.

    

Coram Beanstalk is proud to have the support of our Patron HM Queen Camilla who is a wonderful champion for reading for pleasure, and we were thrilled that the incredible work our volunteers do was recognised by way of these generous invitations to be a part of her coronation.