Home Truths
Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans gives a speech welcoming the President of Vietnam at a lunch attended by Sir Tony Blair and gets to meet the new King and Queen at Westminster Hall
The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla has dominated the last few weeks. While we were all deeply saddened by the passing of the late Queen, this month has been a time of rejoicing and celebration.
I was privileged to be a witness at the accession of King Charles in September, but I was truly honoured to meet the King and Queen when they both visited Westminster Hall just a few days before the Coronation.
The King was on glorious top form. When I spoke to him, he beamed at me when I told him I would be in the Chair of the Commons later that day trying to keep order. He teased, asking me to say the words, ‘Order, order!’ and roared with laughter as I said them.
The Queen was also in a happy mood as I informed her that I had been in the Commons for 31 years, but I was a rookie compared to some.
I had several functions just before the big day including giving a speech welcoming the President of Vietnam to the UK. This was really daunting as on my lunch table were three Cabinet Ministers and Sir Tony Blair and Cherie.
Another event had me sandwiched between the Spanish and Italian ambassadors both of whom were getting ready to welcome their Heads of State, the King of Spain and the President of Italy.
For 48 hours London saw gridlocked roads around Whitehall, giving way to police on motorbikes blue-lighting dignitaries to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and Buckingham Palace.
I gave a speech at the Savile Club following an address by the former High Commissioner to the UK from Australia, George Brandis. It was the largest gathering of Australians in London to celebrate what was the crowning of their monarch and it was full of fun as they sang three verses of God Save the King.
The day itself was just simply incredible. Sadly, I was not lucky enough to be in the Abbey but a number of us had places outside the House of Commons and witnessed the supremely professional armed forces, with the King and Queen waving to the assembled crowds, some of whom had slept out for over 48 hours.
Despite the rain the police and troops did us all proud in simply doing their duty to King, Queen and country. I want to put on record my thanks to all of them that marched in procession, including my former researcher and now a naval man, Jack Buller. Well done Jack and what a memory to have of such a great day!
I bumped into Sir Bryn Terfel the night before the Coronation and asked him when he would be performing and in deep Welsh vowels he beamed: “I am second on.” He was amazing at the service and at the Windsor concert along with Andrea Bocelli.
I attended my Pendleton street party the day after, which was bathed in sun. Our long table was packed with food and people of all ages. This was the nation coming together and giving three cheers to our King and Queen and on behalf of all my constituents may I wish them a happy and glorious reign!
