What it was like at the coronation celebrations | CNN

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Brothers Frankie, 7, and Dylan, 9, make crowns at their home in London ahead of the coronation street parties on Sunday, May 7.
Brothers Frankie, 7, and Dylan, 9, make crowns at their home in London ahead of the coronation street parties on Sunday, May 7.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN

What it was like at the coronation celebrations

Updated 5:05 PM EDT, Sun May 7, 2023
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Photographs by Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN

After the coronation weekend's main event was over, the celebrations continued.

Street parties took place across the United Kingdom on Sunday as part of the "Coronation Big Lunch."

A day earlier thousands of people gathered outside Westminster Abbey and the surrounding streets of central London to take in the coronation of King Charles III.

Despite the rainy weather, royal fans decked out in flags, crowns and homemade regalia lined the procession routes for the historic day.

Here are some of the people who celebrated the UK's first coronation in 70 years.

Communities across the United Kingdom held street parties on Sunday in honor of the King's coronation.
Communities across the United Kingdom held street parties on Sunday in honor of the King's coronation.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
A child sleeps on a throne at a street party in London's Brixton district.
A child sleeps on a throne at a street party in London's Brixton district.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
London locals Dayo and Claire celebrated with their kids Florence, 5, and Kesia, 3. "I think the King has got a tough job," Dayo said. "Once you're in a position like that it's polarizing. Whether you asked for it or not, everyone's got an opinion. Heavy is the head that wears the crown."
London locals Dayo and Claire celebrated with their kids Florence, 5, and Kesia, 3. "I think the King has got a tough job," Dayo said. "Once you're in a position like that it's polarizing. Whether you asked for it or not, everyone's got an opinion. Heavy is the head that wears the crown."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
A cake competition was held at a street party in Southwark, London.
A cake competition was held at a street party in Southwark, London.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Lucia's parents, David and Maria Jose, came from Spain to visit her and her fiancé, George. "It's great to bring them to our local happenings," Lucia said. "I'm loving the coronation. We've lived in the area for 3 or 4 years, and this community is super welcoming and active and fun."
Lucia's parents, David and Maria Jose, came from Spain to visit her and her fiancé, George. "It's great to bring them to our local happenings," Lucia said. "I'm loving the coronation. We've lived in the area for 3 or 4 years, and this community is super welcoming and active and fun."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Sasha, 5, holds a Union Flag while eating a cupcake at a street party in North London.
Sasha, 5, holds a Union Flag while eating a cupcake at a street party in North London.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Kids play and pose for pictures at a makeshift carriage next to a cardboard cutout of the King at a street party in London.
Kids play and pose for pictures at a makeshift carriage next to a cardboard cutout of the King at a street party in London.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Chloe enlisted the help of her kids to make crowns for the weekend. "The pageantry and procession was great to watch yesterday," she said. "He looked quite emotional. Today's street party is a nice excuse to hang out with friends."
Chloe enlisted the help of her kids to make crowns for the weekend. "The pageantry and procession was great to watch yesterday," she said. "He looked quite emotional. Today's street party is a nice excuse to hang out with friends."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Roads were closed across the UK for Sunday's street parties.
Roads were closed across the UK for Sunday's street parties.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Joanne Lawson poses for a picture with 4-week-old baby Casper on Sunday. "This is his first party," she said.
Joanne Lawson poses for a picture with 4-week-old baby Casper on Sunday. "This is his first party," she said.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Members of the public watch the coronation procession on Saturday along the Mall in central London.
Members of the public watch the coronation procession on Saturday along the Mall in central London.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
The weather wasn't the greatest on Saturday, but that wasn't stopping people from going out to celebrate the historic occasion.
The weather wasn't the greatest on Saturday, but that wasn't stopping people from going out to celebrate the historic occasion.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Brothers Cody and Nyle are from Kent in southeast England. "It feels really good to be here. It's a nice vibe," Cody said. "It's nice to have a king, but loving the Queen, too."
Brothers Cody and Nyle are from Kent in southeast England. "It feels really good to be here. It's a nice vibe," Cody said. "It's nice to have a king, but loving the Queen, too."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Stefanie and Korinna came from Germany to celebrate the big day. "We've been interested in the royal family because we don't have that in Germany," Stefanie said. "To witness traditions of 100 years, we are crossing something off the bucket list."
Stefanie and Korinna came from Germany to celebrate the big day. "We've been interested in the royal family because we don't have that in Germany," Stefanie said. "To witness traditions of 100 years, we are crossing something off the bucket list."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Union Flags were a common sight along the procession routes on Saturday.
Union Flags were a common sight along the procession routes on Saturday.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Robin Wight, who was celebrating the coronation along with his wife, Countess Paola Kovacz von Csaky, shows off the orders of knighthood and chivalry that he has received in his lifetime. "My CVO (Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) was for raising 65 million for the Duke of Edinburgh in 1999," he said. "And my CBE (Commander of the British Empire) was for setting up a charity called the Ideas Foundation, which gets kids from disadvantaged backgrounds into creative industries." Wight said he and his wife queued for 10 days to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II, and now they were here to say "hello" to King Charles III. "We worked together for 20 years, and I've known how great he is," Wight said. "He stepped into his mother's shoes so brilliantly."
Robin Wight, who was celebrating the coronation along with his wife, Countess Paola Kovacz von Csaky, shows off the orders of knighthood and chivalry that he has received in his lifetime. "My CVO (Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) was for raising 65 million for the Duke of Edinburgh in 1999," he said. "And my CBE (Commander of the British Empire) was for setting up a charity called the Ideas Foundation, which gets kids from disadvantaged backgrounds into creative industries." Wight said he and his wife queued for 10 days to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II, and now they were here to say "hello" to King Charles III. "We worked together for 20 years, and I've known how great he is," Wight said. "He stepped into his mother's shoes so brilliantly."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Paul, from London, was selling flags along the procession route — but he said business would have been better if he could have gotten reception for his card swiper. "I'd be here if I was working or not," he said. "I came to the Queen's birthday every year and I love the royals. Charles is all right."
Paul, from London, was selling flags along the procession route — but he said business would have been better if he could have gotten reception for his card swiper. "I'd be here if I was working or not," he said. "I came to the Queen's birthday every year and I love the royals. Charles is all right."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Jess, a 12-year-old from Southampton, England, watches the coronation service on a mini television that her Uncle Max bought specifically for this occasion. "I might not see another coronation," he said.
Jess, a 12-year-old from Southampton, England, watches the coronation service on a mini television that her Uncle Max bought specifically for this occasion. "I might not see another coronation," he said.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Mary Wells and Malcom Thorn enjoy tea and biscuits on the Mall while waiting to see the King. "It's the perfect breakfast," Thorn said.
Mary Wells and Malcom Thorn enjoy tea and biscuits on the Mall while waiting to see the King. "It's the perfect breakfast," Thorn said.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Al and Paul are from the Honourable Artillery Company, which fired a gun salute Saturday in the King's honor. "Today is special," Paul said. "This is our home."
Al and Paul are from the Honourable Artillery Company, which fired a gun salute Saturday in the King's honor. "Today is special," Paul said. "This is our home."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Emily, an 11-year-old from Yorkshire in northern England, was excited to be a part of the big day. "It's history, isn't it?" she said. "I liked the Queen. I like the King, too."
Emily, an 11-year-old from Yorkshire in northern England, was excited to be a part of the big day. "It's history, isn't it?" she said. "I liked the Queen. I like the King, too."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Carol, from Cheshire in northern England, waves along the procession route. "It's been amazing," she said. "An absolutely historic amazing day."
Carol, from Cheshire in northern England, waves along the procession route. "It's been amazing," she said. "An absolutely historic amazing day."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Akim, a worker cleaning some of the toilets along the route, takes a moment to capture the day on his phone.
Akim, a worker cleaning some of the toilets along the route, takes a moment to capture the day on his phone.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
The Marshall and Ormes families came from Bolton, England, on Friday to be a part of the celebrations.
The Marshall and Ormes families came from Bolton, England, on Friday to be a part of the celebrations.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Tilly the dog wears a special bandana for the coronation. "It's damp but we wouldn't have missed it," said Tilly's owner, Helen. "It's only the Brits that do pomp and ceremony like this."
Tilly the dog wears a special bandana for the coronation. "It's damp but we wouldn't have missed it," said Tilly's owner, Helen. "It's only the Brits that do pomp and ceremony like this."
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
A boy holds an umbrella as he watches history unfold.
A boy holds an umbrella as he watches history unfold.
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
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