ONE OF the region’s best-known royalists is hosting a fun event in her local community to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles.
Judith Watkinson, of Yeadon, has been a fan of the monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II since she was a child, following in the footsteps of her mum, who was also a royalist.
Judith was deeply saddened when the Queen died last year, but has been looking forward to her eldest son taking over as monarch.
To mark the great occasion on Saturday May 6, at Westminster Abbey, she has organised a special event for residents at Wharfedale View independent care complex in Chapel Lane, Yeadon, where she has helped as a volunteer for more than five years.
Residents will have the chance to watch the coronation and take part in royal-themed activities including a quiz which Judith has devised, and picture bingo. She has also organised a buffet and a raffle.
“I started doing a weekly domino card sessions with a small entrance fee of 50p," she says. "The money has been saved up to use for this occasion - we are all very excited about it."
Judith was just six years old in 1953, the time of the last coronation, when Elizabeth ll was crowned.
“My parents would definitely have watched it. In our house no royal event was missed - at Christmas we didn’t get our dinner until the Queen had been on TV," she says.
To get in the spirit of the occasion Judith has a new outfit including a gilet adorned with pictures of King Charles. There's one taken in 1948, of Charles in his cradle as a baby, with his mum looking at him, and one as he is now. The gilet also sports a picture of Westminster Abbey, as well as the coronation coach and the Crown Jewels.
“My son Ian put the pictures on it - it looks fantastic, everyone remarks on it when I wear it," she say. "I also have a headband with Union Jacks on it, Union Jack culottes and a skirt with Charles’s picture on it."
To top it all, Judith has a patriotic red, white and blue wig.
Judith’s 76th birthday is the day after the coronation. "It will be a brilliant couple of days - I am going to be shattered afterwards," she laughs.
Judith's love of royal memorabilia is widely known in her local community. "My friends sometimes bring me things they have seen on days out, which they think I will like" she says.
James Mackenzie, manager at Wharfedale View, said residents were looking forward to the day: “This is a really good opportunity for the local community and residents to come together to celebrate the coronation.
“They will be able to share their reminiscences, stories and experiences of royal events over the years.
“We had a special event for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which went down really well, and I am sure this one will too.”
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