Photographs of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation 1953

Josie Robson, from Prudhoe, was born in 1932 and attended the Coronation in 1953.

Josie died last year (2022) from dementia, at the age of 90 in Red Brick House Care Home, Prudhoe.

Josie on her 90th birthday in 2022 (Image: Gillian Leonard)

Her daughter Gillian Leonard said her mother was 'gorgeous' and loved by many in Prudhoe. 

"Everybody knew her, the lady with the white hair.

"She just loved the Royal family. She was there at the Queen's Coronation Day, she went to every wedding, if they were in Prudhoe or Hexham she would be there like a shot."

Josie (second lady in from the bottom of the photo) meeting Queen Elizabeth II outside Balls of Prudhoe in 1998 (Image: Gillian Leonard)

Josie and her partner Jacky Robson travelled to London on June 1 1953, meeting up with friends at Green Park.

Josie's view of the Queen's Golden Coach (Image: Hexham Courant)

Josie wrote an article about her memories of the coronation in 2013, which she sent to The Hexham Courant marking the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. 

The Coronation in 1953 (Image: Hexham Courant)

Josie said: "I remember a man selling newspapers, shouting: 'Get your nice warm Daily Mirrors!' Barbara bought four and wrapped them around her arms and legs.

"Hyde Park Corner was arranged with people dancing, singing, entertainers. Everybody was having a whale of a time and nobody seemed tired," Josie said.

Josie saw the Royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace (Image: Hexham Courant)

She said at 6am, things began to happen as soldiers and policemen lined the streets.

There was an announcement that Edmund Hillary had reached the summit of Everest, and a big cheer went up from the crowd. 

"The procession began in the afternoon; bands playing rousing music, soldiers marching in splendid uniforms, armed forces from the Commonwealth countries.

A card and a letter from The Queen's assistant to Josie on her 80th birthday, at the request of Josie's granddaughter. The Queen apologised in the letter that she didn't send official 80th birthday cards. Josie still received an unofficial card in an envelope from Buckingham Palace (Image: Gillian Leonard)

"The Queen's own cavalry with the drum horse, magnificent British pageantry at its very best. Queen Saloti in her open carriage with the rain pouring down on her, laughing and waving and loving every minute.

Josie at age 19 (Image: Gillian Leonard)

"Then the Golden Coach came into view and the excitement was at its highest. The Queen looked elegant, she looked from side to side smiling and waving, the duke looked very handsome."

Josie and friends made it to Buckingham Palace in time to see the Royal family coming out on the balcony.

"The crowd stretched right up to the Mall and all around the Palace, a never-to-be-forgotten sight. 

"We finished our day as we started at Lyons Corner House, Piccadilly, famished, wet, cold and very dirty, but it was all well worth it! It's good to be British," Josie said.