A chorister who sang at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 60 years ago was tracked down in time for a reunion at Hampton Court Palace.
The palace’s choral foundation, the Chapel Royal, appealed for help in finding two of their four former choristers, who sang at the historic event in 1953.
The foundation had already tracked down Alan Sanders and Nigel Palk, who were to be reunited for the first time since the momentous day at a service to commemorate the coronation.
Lost chorister John Pickles was found just in time for the service and drove down from his home in Balmoral, Scotland, to the palace for the evensong event on Sunday, June 2.
Memorabilia from the coronation choir was displayed and the coronation choristers talked to current choristers about what life was like as a chorister 60 years ago.
One of the former choristers told of his initiation into the choir where he was told to walk to the top on the King’s staircase where another chorister sprang out of the shadows making ghostly noises.
The fourth of the foundation’s coronation chorister, Howard Watson, has yet to be tracked down.
The Chapel Royal charity works to ensure musical heritage at the palace continues for generations to come.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here