WCIT celebrates the King’s Coronation street party style – 3 May 2023

The Worshipful Company of Weavers is the City’s oldest Livery Company. Granted its Royal Charter by Henry II in 1155, the Weavers have seen 33 coronation, from Richard the Lionheart to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 70 years ago next month. WCIT is the 100th Livery Company, founded in 1992, and so the coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be our first.

But while WCIT has some catching up to do in terms of history, we can certainly compete when it comes to having fun while expressing our heartfelt loyalty to the Crown. And we certainly did both, at our own Coronation celebration on Wednesday 3rd May. The Hall was done up to the nines again as a “street party”, with bunting, bearskins and the royal coat of arms. The champagne was abundant, and coronation quiche and venison scotch eggs topped the “garden party” picnic menu. “Vintage Ruby” entertained us royally (how else?) and the singalong was reminiscent of the very best nursing homes. The delightful evening of fellowship continued in the Hand and Shears.

Sir Kenneth Olisa reminded us that the coronation was a reaffirmation of our national values, those of humour, duty and service, and why they mater to us all. The pomp and circumstance of the ceremonial is, in that respect, a façade with the most critical part being the coronation oath. Our values are His Majesty’s values, and his values our own. We hope you enjoy the service and indeed the whole day.

We now have a couple of days to recover in time for the ceremony at the Abbey on Saturday… With many thanks to the organisers, particularly to Mellissa and Alan, and to the Master for guiding us through the singing of the National Anthem and for leading us, loudly and loyally, in the toast:

God Save The King!