Yes, you did see the newly-crowned King Charles III standing outside the Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena on Saturday. Granted, it was a cardboard facsimile of the 74-year-old monarch, but the British expats, Anglophiles and royal family watchers who trooped in for tea loved the regal welcome.
“It turned out well, wasn’t the ceremony beautiful?” said Edmund Fry, longtime proprietor of the teahouse. The unofficial UK ambassador spent all night baking scones and still made time to touch base with his wife Mary, who was in London.
“Mary said the crowd was twice as big as at the Platinum Jubilee last year, despite the rain, and that it was a wonderful moment she’ll never forget,” Fry said.
“Sir Edmund,” as many of his guests call him, presided over a traditional English high tea and a discreet watch party, with television coverage of the first British coronation in 70 years screening on several television sets.
Ashley Grisham of Burbank brought her parents to the teahouse, where she is a regular patron.
“If there’s a tea party involved, I’m all for it,” she said. “It’s a great excuse to get all dressed up and have fun. And I love coming here. It’s great for any celebration, and you know, Sir Edmund is quite the dancer too.”
Her mother Celeste said Coronation Day was a nice bonus to celebrating her daughter’s birthday.
Mother and daughter watched coverage of the special event at 7 a.m., and even brought their own official commemorative coronation tea set from the Royal Collection Shop.
“I think it was spectacular, with amazing pomp and circumstance,” Ashley said of the investiture of King Charles and Queen Camilla. “And the rich history is fascinating.”
Retired teacher Marsha Wine has been to London twice. Her Pasadena home displays commemorative dishes from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Her doorstop is painted like the Union Jack.
“I just love the element of magic, the history and traditions,” she said. “And…
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