Posted on Saturday 6th May 2023
Staffordshire resident Lianne Al-Khaldi BEM pictured outside Westminster Abbey, where she was a guest at the Coronation of King Charles III.
‘A moment in history to be treasured,’ was the view of two Staffordshire people who witnessed the Coronation first hand.
Ian Dudson CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire and Lianne Al-Khaldi BEM, of Stafford, were both present inside Westminster Abbey.
Ian Dudson said:
It was a wonderful service and a huge honour to be there representing Staffordshire.
No-one there could fail to recognise the significance of the event and it was very moving, particularly the very poignant singing of the national anthem at the end.
It was also apparent that there were lots of representatives from charities and holders of the British Empire Medal present, which I thought was a fantastic recognition of the sector and the work so many people do.”
Speaking outside the Abbey immediately after the Coronation, Lianne Al-Khaldi said:
What an amazing experience that was; everyone was so happy and it was such a moving ceremony.”
Later, she added:
Before I got there all the tube stations were closed nearby and the buses weren’t running so I was worried about being there on time, but the atmosphere in London was amazing.
During the service at some points it was really overwhelming and singing the national anthem just made me want to burst into tears.
The King and Queen looked absolutely phenomenal, they looked amazing - and a lot smaller in real life than I thought, that close up.
It was a really good day, but I’m exhausted now, what a day!”
In Stafford, the historic Shire Hall building in Stafford is being lit up in red, white and blue as part of the county’s celebrations for the King’s Coronation.
The illumination of the building is part of the wider celebration of the event across the county over the long bank holiday weekend.
Other celebration events include the big help out, to promote volunteering, special services, and proclamations along with numerous street parties, garden fayres and community activities.
Staffordshire libraries are giving away a specially created celebration bookmark. And, for babies born in Staffordshire on Coronation Day itself, the Registration Service will be providing a special commemorative mug to the first 10 parents to get in touch.
Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
The King’s Coronation will be a weekend of celebration that gives us a great opportunity to come together with friends, family, and neighbours to celebrate what will be a truly memorable moment in our country’s history.”
Note to editors:
Lianne Al-Khaldi, of Stafford, was made a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) in the New Year Honours 2021/22, having organised a network of 35 volunteers making PPE for hospitals – at the same time as home schooling her four children. What started as a solo sewing operation grew as she taught her children how to read patterns and use the sewing machine, before becoming a focal point for volunteers’ efforts – with the group eventually making and delivering 3,500 items of PPE.
Prior to the pandemic Lianne set up a ‘community fridge project’ to support food banks and children’s centres and today helps more than 1,000 families access a fresh and healthy diet.
Here’s Lianne talking about her surprise at receiving an invitation to the Coronation.