The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953

On June 2, 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey, London, England took place. From the article:

"Apparently there had been much controversy in the Government as to whether it would be ‘right and proper’ to televise such a solemn occasion. Several members of the Cabinet at the time, including Sir Winston Churchill, urged the Queen to spare herself the strain of the heat and glare of the cameras, by refusing to have the ceremony televised.

The Queen received this message coldly, and refused to listen to their protests. The young queen personally routed the Earl Marshall, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Winston Churchill and the Cabinet …she had made her decision!

Her motivation was clear, nothing must stand between her crowning and her people’s right to participate.

So, on June 2nd 1953 at 11 o’clock all over the country people settled down in front of their television sets. Compared to the present day ones, these sets were quite primitive. The pictures were black and white, as colour sets were not available then, and the tiny 14-inch screen was the most popular size."