Southwest Florida celebrates the Royals

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The Coronation of King Charles III is one of the most highly-anticipated events in recent history.
All eyes were watching around the world, including right here in Southwest Florida, as people gathered at The Pub Naples located in Mercato.

Andreas Mueller woke up extra early Saturday to view the historic event. “I got ties to the UK because I studied in England. My daughter is born there. And I happened to be in London just a couple of weeks ago, so I saw some of the preparations,” added Mueller.

Barbara Rode took part in the celebration as well. Rode said, “We just think it’s a great opportunity to be involved in the British history.”

The 74-year-old is the 40th monarch crowned at Westminster Abbey, a tradition dating back to William the Conqueror in 1066.

Trumpets sounded inside the medieval abbey and the congregation shouted “God save King Charles” as the ceremony began. Outside, thousands of spectators and a smattering of protesters converged along the route to Westminster Abbey that King Charles III and his wife Camilla took in a diamond jubilee state coach.

This marked the final mile of a seven-decade journey for Charles from heir to monarch.

“I admire that they’ve kept their history and everybody still respects it,” added Donna Werner from New Fairfield, Connecticut.

Saturday’s Coronation is the first in 70 years. “It’s definitely history. I mean, maybe my children will be able to see now Prince William become king. But to me, as I said, this is probably the biggest event in my lifetime,” Mueller said.

With roughly 2,000 guests, it is a much smaller affair than the 8,000 who attended King Charles’ mother’s coronation in 1953. Queen Elizabeth II passed away September 8, 2022 at the age of 96.

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