Celebrating King Charles' Coronation

Pupils at Bedales Prep and Pre-prep Schools celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a series of regal activities in the week leading up to Coronation Day – including painting commemorative plates, learning about the Crown Jewels and planting strawberries – and rounded off the festivities with a themed lunch.

The Coronation on 6 May was the first since the late Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953, making it pupils’ first experience of such an event. 

At Bedales Prep, Dunhurst, boarders kickstarted the festivities with a regal tea and biscuits treat night. In assembly, Head of History Steve Jeggo spoke to pupils about the Coronation, discussing the historic and precious items which they could expect to see on the day, including the Sovereign’s Orb, Spectre, Coronation Chair and Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Pupils were also challenged to get creative and make a dish to both represent Dunhurst and commemorate the Coronation, inspired by classic British treats such as Victoria sponge cake, Coronation chicken, Eton Mess and Dundee cake.

At Bedales Pre-prep, Dunannie, children spent the week learning about King Charles and the Coronation. They marked the occasion with a range of hands-on activities, including painting commemorative plates, making bunting and salt dough crowns, creating a King Charles collage and baking scones. After learning about King Charles’ passion for the environment, they spent time outdoors planting strawberries and potatoes, and walking through the school’s bluebell woods.

Celebrations at both Bedales Prep and Pre-prep Schools culminated in delicious coronation lunches. Wet weather didn’t dampen spirits at Bedales Pre-prep where children came together inside to enjoy a picnic with food they had prepared themselves. From Nursery to Year 3, children had been busy chopping, baking and cooking a variety of delights, which included sandwiches, cheese straws, fruit kebabs, biscuits and scones.

At Bedales Prep, although plans to enjoy a celebration ‘Picnic in the Park’ with bandstand music were scuppered by the wet weather, the Dining Room was creatively rearranged for pupils to enjoy a colourful coronation lunch complete with Union Jack flapjack slices prepared by the school’s Catering team.

Head of Bedales Prep, Dunhurst Colin Baty said: “While we appreciate that as a community there are many views on the coronation, it is important that the children in our care were able to observe and learn about this state occasion. It was fascinating to hear the range of questions pupils asked to support their understanding of this historic event, and wonderful for everyone to end the week by coming together for the celebrations.”

Head of Bedales Pre-prep, Dunannie Fiona Read commented: “In the days leading up to King Charles' Coronation, it was the children who truly grasped the wonder and magic of the moment. For them, it was not simply a historical event, but an enchanting moment of history that sparked their imaginations and they all worked together to prepare a banquet fit for a king. They demonstrated teamwork and a togetherness very much in keeping with King Charles' belief that we all depend on each other – and, crucially, on each other's actions – for our weather, food, water and energy. It was another great, fun day at Dunannie!”