Coronation Celebrations

The school marked the Coronation of King Charles III with a celebratory tea party in the Junior School playground.

When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 70 years ago, 19 pupils were given special permission by London Country Council to represent South Hampstead and watch the procession from Embankment.  They stood in the crowd holding up a banner bearing the words South Hampstead High School, Finchley Road and Charing Cross, which was captured by film cameras recording the day. Other pupils watched the Coronation film, The Queen is Crowned, at the Embassy Theatre in Swiss Cottage; the school’s Girl Guide team created a coronation flower garden in the school grounds, a student presented a Coronation march, and pupils composed poems to commemorate the occasion.  Shortly after the Coronation, the Queen visited Hampstead and pupils lined the streets to welcome her, as recorded in our archive photo above.

On Friday, we marked the coronation of King Charles III with celebratory cakes at the Senior School and a tea party at the Junior School, organised by our Junior School PTA. We were delighted that alumna Rosemary Wolfson (Class of 1962) continued the tradition from 1953 by sending us her own poem to celebrate the occasion. Her poem was shared with our Junior School pupils at their Coronation tea party,  whilst they enjoyed music, cake and entertainment – a wonderful way to start the special holiday weekend.

We have seen many royals visit South Hampstead over the years, from the Prince and Princess of Wales presenting school prizes at the Royal Albert Hall in 1883, to the Duchess of Gloucester opening the new sports hall in 1988. More recently, some of our staff and pupils met King Charles at JW3, whilst wrapping gifts for families supported by our local foodbank. Read more here.

If you celebrated the Coronation – whether you attended a local street party or lined the Mall – please send us your pictures at alumnae@shhs.gdst.net