ODIHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Service members on parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30, 2023 in Odiham, England. A full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal took place at RAF Odiham, ahead of the Armed Forces involvement in the second procession that accompanies Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace, through the streets of Central London. (Photo by Rob Pinney / Getty Images)
ODIHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Service members on parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30, 2023 in Odiham, England. A full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal took place at RAF Odiham, ahead of the Armed Forces involvement in the second procession that accompanies Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace, through the streets of Central London. (Photo by Rob Pinney / Getty Images)
ODIHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Service members on parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30, 2023 in Odiham, England. A full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal took place at RAF Odiham, ahead of the Armed Forces involvement in the second procession that accompanies Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace, through the streets of Central London. (Photo by Rob Pinney / Getty Images)
ODIHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Service members on parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30, 2023 in Odiham, England. A full tri-service and Comm

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UK

Full-scale copy of coronation procession route recreated at RAF airbase

The base is being used for military rehearsals to ensure the coronation goes off without a hitch

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

April 30, 2023

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A full-scale copy of the coronation procession route has been created at an RAF airbase to ensure the ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla goes off without a hitch.

In the largest parade of military personnel since the funeral of Winston Churchill, more than 7,000 ceremonial troops brushed up on their drill at RAF Odiham in Hampshire on Sunday.

The airfield was mapped out using a pace stick to ensure it was precisely the correct distance of the procession route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

Neat grids of sailors, soldiers and pilots stretched across the base, comprising personnel from the 34 Commonwealth countries and six overseas territories.

“Putting it all together for the first time here, actually, there’s a tinge of excitement," said the head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key.

“For us to have the opportunity and the privilege to play a small role in the coronation of His Majesty and Her Majesty in just under a week’s time is a mixture of excited anticipation, probably a few nerves and great pride.

“The late queen, like the king today, was an enormous supporter of the armed forces and what we do, and we see this being continued in him.

“We have enormous confidence in King Charles as our commander-in-chief and it’s a great opportunity for us to show our allegiance to him, and I’m sure that his mother will look down with great pride on the day.

“I’m looking forward to joining up with my family who are hoping to be in the crowds in London enjoying the atmosphere.

“No doubt I’ll then shed my uniform and pull on some incognito clothes to join in because it is a great national celebration.”

Armed forces rehearse for king's coronation - in pictures

The Life Guards, part of the Household Cavalry, join the rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty
The Life Guards, part of the Household Cavalry, join the rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty
Royal Marine Commandos join the rehearsal with British and Commonwealth armed services for the second procession accompanying King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace. Getty
Royal Marine Commandos join the rehearsal with British and Commonwealth armed services for the second procession accompanying King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace. Getty
Drummers from the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth at the rehearsal. Getty
Drummers from the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth at the rehearsal. Getty
Members of the Royal Navy parade on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty
Members of the Royal Navy parade on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty
The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth ensure it's in tune for the coronation procession. Getty
The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth ensure it's in tune for the coronation procession. Getty
Seamus, the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards, is the only dog to be included in the festivities. Getty
Seamus, the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards, is the only dog to be included in the festivities. Getty
Soldiers from The Guards march at RAF Odiham. Getty
Soldiers from The Guards march at RAF Odiham. Getty
A piccolo player on parades during the full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty
A piccolo player on parades during the full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty
RAF personnel parade during Sunday's coronation procession practice run. Getty
RAF personnel parade during Sunday's coronation procession practice run. Getty
Members of the Royal Marines parade. Getty
Members of the Royal Marines parade. Getty
RAF personnel stand in formation at RAF Odiham. Getty
RAF personnel stand in formation at RAF Odiham. Getty
It'll be all right on the night ... British Army soldiers rehearse. Getty
It'll be all right on the night ... British Army soldiers rehearse. Getty
For King and Queen Consort ... military personnel take part in the full rehearsal. Getty
For King and Queen Consort ... military personnel take part in the full rehearsal. Getty
The Royal Lancers join the rehearsal. Getty
The Royal Lancers join the rehearsal. Getty
RAF personnel stand in formation for the rehearsal. Getty
RAF personnel stand in formation for the rehearsal. Getty
Members of the Armed Forces rehearse the Royal Salute. Getty
Members of the Armed Forces rehearse the Royal Salute. Getty
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories lead the full rehearsal of the coronation procession. Getty
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories lead the full rehearsal of the coronation procession. Getty
Soldiers from the Guards hold their bearskin hats in the air as they give three cheers for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at a rehearsal of the coronation procession on April 30 in RAF Odiham, England. Getty
Soldiers from the Guards hold their bearskin hats in the air as they give three cheers for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at a rehearsal of the coronation procession on April 30 in RAF Odiham, England. Getty
Service members on practice parade. Getty
Service members on practice parade. Getty
The full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty
The full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty
Members of the British Army Band at RAF Odiham. Getty
Members of the British Army Band at RAF Odiham. Getty
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories. Getty
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories. Getty
The service members from the Commonwealth nations and territories lead the full rehearsal. Getty Images
The service members from the Commonwealth nations and territories lead the full rehearsal. Getty Images
Flag bearers representing the Commonwealth nations and overseas territories await the start of the rehearsal. Getty
Flag bearers representing the Commonwealth nations and overseas territories await the start of the rehearsal. Getty
Members of the Royal Air Force march. PA
Members of the Royal Air Force march. PA
Members of the Armed Forces at practice. PA
Members of the Armed Forces at practice. PA
Members of the Royal Air Force during the full rehearsal in Hampshire. PA
Members of the Royal Air Force during the full rehearsal in Hampshire. PA

At the shout of “Coronation, procession, by the centre, quick march”, the rehearsal was under way, with every troop planting their left foot to the beat of the bass drum.

Commonwealth troops led the marching contingent, while the Household Cavalry took up the rear.

Officials were creative in how they marked the route, with a pair of rugby posts playing the part of Buckingham Palace, and a set of cones replacing Admiralty Arch at the entrance to The Mall.

That enabled troops to split and reform as they will do on the day, while a brown minibus stood in for the royal Gold State Coach.

The UK prepares for the coronation of King Charles III - in pictures

Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty
Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty
Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP
Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP
A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP
A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP
A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP
A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP
Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP
Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP
The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP
The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP
Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP
Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP
A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty
Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty
The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters
The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters
A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters
A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters
Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA
Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA
An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP
An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP
Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters
Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters
Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA
Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA
A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP
A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP
Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters
Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters
Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP
Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP
A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP
A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP
Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP
Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP
Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA
Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA
Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA
Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA
Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP
Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP
British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty
British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty
Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA
Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA
Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP
Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP
Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters
Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters
The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA
The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA
A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images
A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images
The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP
The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP
Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP
Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP
Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP
Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA
A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP
A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP
The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP
The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP
King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters
King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters
The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters
The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters
A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA
A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA
A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA
A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA
People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters
People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters
The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA

Meanwhile, mounted cavalry marched on foot to avoid "foreign object debris" such as horseshoes or manure being left on the runway, which could be a hazard to the aircraft taking off from the base.

But one animal was invited to take part in proceedings — an Irish wolfhound called Seamus, who is the Irish Guards’ mascot and the only dog taking part in the parade.

Soldiers have spent weeks polishing the boots they will wear on the day of the coronation, but they have been marching so much in rehearsals that they were allowed to wear more comfortable boots on Sunday to avoid blisters before the big day.

The event was the first and only full daytime rehearsal for the coronation, although there will be a night rehearsal during the week.

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