Cumbrian Scouts have been in London over the weekend to support King Charles III’s coronation.
Euan Gilfillan, 21, of Barrow-in-Furness, is a Beaver Scout Leader and Shona Tait, 23, of Egremont, is a Cub Scout Leader. They were selected to join hundreds of Scout Network members, who had volunteered to provide state duties.
Shona was in Hyde Park assisting with queue management and enquiries from the public. She said: “Being part of an international team supporting the coronation has been a great honour and something I’m really proud of.
“It was a brilliant opportunity to live out our Scout Promise in doing our duty for our King and country and doing our best in all circumstances. The coronation event may be over now, but the memories and friendships made will last a lifetime and the impact of playing a part at the event will continue to shape us moving forward.”
Euan was based in St James’ Park and the Mall, providing general crowd control, handing out free commemorative flags and helping implement the lost children system.
He said: “My team was lucky enough to be stationed at Green Park by the Mall, so on top of helping the public stay safe and enjoy the day we had a good view of the procession and the screening.
“It was really easy to make friends knowing that all the other Scouts were just there to help out and support each other. It was such an honour to be asked to support the coronation and to represent the Scouts in such a meaningful way by supporting so many people around London – after the long drive home it’s just started to hit me just how rare this opportunity was.”
Matilda Lauderdale, 17, of Barrow, was also invited to attend. She was with 50 Explorer Scouts and leaders from around the Commonwealth to be part of a group of 400 young people representing a range of charitable organisations with a long history of support from the Royal Family, to join to a special private screening of the coronation service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, next to the abbey.
The young people joined Archbishop Justin Welby for breakfast before the service and were some of the first people to see the newly crowned King leave Westminster Abbey.
Matilda said: “It was an honour to be selected to be part of this historic occasion. The whole experience was unreal – going to Lambeth Palace and meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury, watching the coronation in St Margaret’s Church, having a fantastic view of the King and Queen leaving the abbey along with the rest of the procession. I will never forget this experience and would like to thank the Scouts for this incredible opportunity.”
