0:00:20 > 0:00:22CHEERING CROWDS
0:00:23 > 0:00:26We couldn't wait that day to see the Queen.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33The crowds were that close, someone could have reached out and touched the Queen.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38The crowd were wonderful.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Joyful and cheering.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43It was a lovely day.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49It will be something I will treasure all my life,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51that I was able to see the Queen.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Everything went so quickly, though - we wanted her to come back and back!
0:01:03 > 0:01:05It was a visit that brought the people of Wales
0:01:05 > 0:01:07closer to the monarchy than ever before.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12A mixture of excitement and curiosity swept towns and villages
0:01:12 > 0:01:15as meticulous preparations were made
0:01:15 > 0:01:18for a royal visit like no other in history.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25'The Queen's reign was in its infancy'
0:01:25 > 0:01:28when she visited Wales for her coronation tour.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Nearly 60 years later, we remember that visit with the people
0:01:31 > 0:01:36who were there, using amateur footage in glorious colour.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42As I continue to explore that first summer of Elizabeth's Wales,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46I meet some of those who spent hours lining the streets
0:01:46 > 0:01:50for a glimpse of their young queen.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53I'll hear from a policeman who was on royal duty 60 years ago.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57He tells me how he disobeyed orders to ensure the crowd
0:01:57 > 0:01:59had the best possible view.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02And six decades on,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07one of Wales's very own coronation queens relives her special summer,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11and how she saw off stiff competition to take centre stage.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13I quite enjoyed all of it, really.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I felt like a princess!
0:02:19 > 0:02:22In the days and weeks that followed the Coronation,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26spectacular celebrations and pageants continued throughout Wales.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29But it was the impending visit of the newly crowned Queen
0:02:29 > 0:02:33that really caught the imagination of the people.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35It was organised to take full advantage
0:02:35 > 0:02:37of the unprecedented interest
0:02:37 > 0:02:41in the royal family, and to encourage a sense of Britishness.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Wales had always had a strong commitment to the monarchy.
0:02:46 > 0:02:47The Second World War, in many ways,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49had reinforced that.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51What Elizabeth's coronation does -
0:02:51 > 0:02:52her coming to the throne -
0:02:52 > 0:02:54is give it a new injection of life
0:02:54 > 0:02:55and vitality - and youth, above all.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57She was seen as a glamorous young woman,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01and it got all kinds of people interested in the royal family.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06It was this allure of the Queen that attracted many young girls
0:03:06 > 0:03:09to try to emulate her. Across the country,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12competitions were held to find coronation queens -
0:03:12 > 0:03:16prestigious roles that gave a home-grown, regal touch
0:03:16 > 0:03:20to civic celebrations and events that followed in the weeks after the Coronation.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23# I'm a girl and by me that's only great
0:03:23 > 0:03:27# I am proud that my silhouette is curvy
0:03:27 > 0:03:30# That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
0:03:30 > 0:03:33# With my hips kind-a swivelly and swirly... #
0:03:33 > 0:03:3884-year-old Honora Pendrous was born and brought up in Newport.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43A butcher's daughter, she was far more interested in fashion,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47working in clothes shops and department stores across the town.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51# When I have a brand new hair-do... #
0:03:51 > 0:03:55It was her striking good looks that got her out from behind the till
0:03:55 > 0:03:57and gave her a taste of life in the limelight.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59She was crowned Miss Newport,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03but an even more majestic competition loomed in 1953.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05# I enjoy
0:04:05 > 0:04:08# Being a girl! #
0:04:08 > 0:04:11It must have been advertised in the paper
0:04:11 > 0:04:13that they were looking for a carnival queen.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I think my sister thought I had a chance
0:04:16 > 0:04:22and she fancied dressing me up and making me look good, she thought!
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I think she did a pretty good job, don't you?
0:04:36 > 0:04:40This film of the contest hasn't been shown on television before.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42It reminds Honora of a time
0:04:42 > 0:04:46when she dreamt of stardom, with aspirations of being an actress.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50On the day itself, she faced stiff competition
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and there was a tough panel of judges to impress.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57That's bringing back some old memories.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We had to read or recite something.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04I'd had elocution lessons when I was a little girl,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06and I think that helped.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11It was quite a pleasant surprise when I won it.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I quite enjoyed all of it, really.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I think the other girls felt the same.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22This is the civic centre, I remember that, yes.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24We were introduced to the mayor.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Honora was treated like a VIP
0:05:30 > 0:05:34and was whisked around Newport as the town celebrated the Coronation.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38She had a very hectic diary, and she's still got all the invites
0:05:38 > 0:05:43that suggest she had almost as many engagements as the Queen herself.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49'We had a chauffeur-driven car.'
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Quite a nice limousine.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54We went from one place to another, you know,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56just making appearances, really.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02We went all around the town
0:06:02 > 0:06:05from shaking hands with the elderly people who were having tea,
0:06:05 > 0:06:10sports grounds and keep fit displays, all sorts of things.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14We attended a dance at the Shaftesbury Park.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16We held a musical festival.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Some of the things you weren't so interested in
0:06:19 > 0:06:24but you had to be diplomatic about it!
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Even if you weren't that interested, you had to look,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and this is what the poor Queen's been doing for years!
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Across Wales, there was a huge schedule of events
0:06:36 > 0:06:39for all ages to watch or get involved in.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41They began in June with the Coronation,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43and continued over the summer.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47The amateur cameramen were there too.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Local councils vied to outdo one another,
0:06:50 > 0:06:55lavishing what money and resources they had to put on the best show.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Honora was a special guest at events in Newport,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02but being the centre of attention was tiring,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06and made her sympathise with the Queen's gruelling tour.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10I thought she had a terrible job in front of her,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14a very frightening job in front of such a young person.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18But she's been absolutely wonderful, I think, all these years
0:07:18 > 0:07:21and coped with everything.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Although we enjoyed it for about a week,
0:07:24 > 0:07:30I must say I was glad to get back to being a private little person!
0:07:35 > 0:07:37And there was another person who was quite happy
0:07:37 > 0:07:42when Honora's royal duties were over - her future husband, Ray.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47He was cheesed off with the whole thing because he couldn't
0:07:47 > 0:07:48come and see me every weekend!
0:07:48 > 0:07:50He wrote in his letters,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53"I'll be glad when it'll be over and finished!"
0:07:54 > 0:07:57He wasn't impressed at all, he didn't like it.
0:08:05 > 0:08:10It was nice for just a little time, and I enjoyed it while it lasted.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16I felt like a princess.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Yes, I think I could say that quite easily, yes.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38The partying continued as final preparations were being made
0:08:38 > 0:08:40for Elizabeth's visit to Wales.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44The coronation queens played a pivotal role in the pageants and parades
0:08:44 > 0:08:48that were held in the days and weeks that followed the Coronation itself.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53In fact, it was to be a whole summer of celebration.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58In the early 1950s, there was a lot less cynicism
0:08:58 > 0:09:00towards the royal family than there is today.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03People didn't criticise it in the way they do today -
0:09:03 > 0:09:06partly because they didn't know much about the people as individuals,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09they were very much figureheads, symbols.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11We didn't know too much about their personal lives.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13The monarchy was very popular.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Towns and villages went to great lengths
0:09:17 > 0:09:22to ensure there was no anti-climax in the weeks that followed the Coronation.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Businesses and local community groups were encouraged
0:09:25 > 0:09:28to take part in spectacular parades throughout the streets
0:09:28 > 0:09:31that were still awash with red, white and blue.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38'It was an excuse for workers to clock off'
0:09:38 > 0:09:40and for businesses to shut up shop.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43This coal merchants was no exception.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45In keeping with the party spirit,
0:09:45 > 0:09:50its lorries were dressed to impress for spectacular parades
0:09:50 > 0:09:54which saw people turn out onto the streets in their thousands.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Back then, Angela James was 11, and remembers the effort required
0:10:00 > 0:10:04to organise the coronation parade at Pentonville in Newport,
0:10:04 > 0:10:05where she lived.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10For more than a century, her family, the Burstons,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13have supplied coal to the local area.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14But in the summer of '53,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18something else was required of the coal merchant -
0:10:18 > 0:10:19their transport.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26My father supplied the lorries to the carnival most years.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30He did sweep the back of the lorry,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34hosed it all down until it was twinkling
0:10:34 > 0:10:39and, er, had to drive very slowly with the precious cargo on the back!
0:10:41 > 0:10:44This is one of their lorries making its way slowly
0:10:44 > 0:10:45through the streets of Newport.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52Just one of many carnivals that took place after the Coronation.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57All sorts of businesses joined in,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00turning their trucks into amazingly decorated floats.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12These were the scenes in Pontypridd which had a carnival of its own
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and an amateur film-maker on hand to capture the event.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17There was even a mobile pub.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Well, being on parade seems to be thirsty work.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Taking part in these parades was fun for everyone involved.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26But back in Newport,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30one person was denied the chance to take centre stage.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36I had been chosen as the local carnival queen.
0:11:36 > 0:11:42But as my father supplied the lorry, Mum declined the offer
0:11:42 > 0:11:44and said it would seem like favouritism,
0:11:44 > 0:11:49so I got to walk behind the lorry, which was rather exciting.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55I think I had more fun walking behind, chatting,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58whereas on the back of the lorry, as the queen,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00you'd have had to be more regal.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- What was the mood like on the day? - Everybody was happy.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10I don't know whether all the young people realised
0:12:10 > 0:12:16how important it was, but it was a happy day, a joyful day.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22At the end of it there was a party, and everyone's happy at a party!
0:12:25 > 0:12:28And there was plenty of partying on 9th July 1953,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32when the Queen and Prince Philip would finally begin
0:12:32 > 0:12:36their two-day tour of Wales after months of planning and waiting.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38The excitement was tangible.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43In Newport, where the royal couple would start their visit,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46final touches were caught on camera
0:12:46 > 0:12:49as the town prepared for its special visitors.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53People wanted to see the royal family close up,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57and the tour was very much about taking the royal family
0:12:57 > 0:13:01to the people and creating this idea that the whole of Britain
0:13:01 > 0:13:03was one unit, regardless of region,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06regardless of class, of gender.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08It was partly about nation building,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10about creating a sense of popular pride
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and using the Queen as an icon of that.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The royal train pulled into Newport station, and with it
0:13:17 > 0:13:21a first glimpse for the Welsh people of their newly-crowned Queen.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31The streets were lined with thousands of people.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Every square inch was filled.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35People even hung from windows
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and gathered on rooftops to get a good view.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40They had waited for hours,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42and were finally treated with a fleeting glimpse
0:13:42 > 0:13:45of the woman who had become the most famous in the world.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52The scenes were repeated in Cardiff, the next stop on their tour.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56But the royal couple's itinerary
0:13:56 > 0:13:58didn't just feature major towns and cities -
0:13:58 > 0:14:01they would travel through smaller communities, too,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03like here, in Pontypridd.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06The local press was talking about people lining the streets,
0:14:06 > 0:14:11not just in towns and villages but also alongside mountainsides.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13They were amazed there were so many people there.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16The press tries to turn it into a big national celebration,
0:14:16 > 0:14:17and on one level it is,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20but it's also about curiosity and a sense of occasion.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29The Queen's visit was designed
0:14:29 > 0:14:31to give as many of her subjects as possible
0:14:31 > 0:14:33the opportunity of seeing the royal couple
0:14:33 > 0:14:36in the first few weeks of her reign.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Many people had been drawn closer to the monarchy during World War II
0:14:44 > 0:14:46by King George VI.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50It was hoped his daughter, the new queen, and her royal tour
0:14:50 > 0:14:52would do the same.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Look at Cardiff Castle, Kingsway and the archway - weren't it marvellous?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- It was there for ages, wasn't it? - Absolutely.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05When the Queen came to Cardiff,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08the Phillips twins were there to welcome her.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Then schoolboys, they were under strict orders
0:15:13 > 0:15:16to be on their best behaviour and to look as smart as possible.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21We had to get spruced up, washed down and change our clothes.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23And believe me, what a crowd,
0:15:23 > 0:15:27so we were jostling to get the best position
0:15:27 > 0:15:28and we're all waiting and waiting,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32and we couldn't understand why we had to wait such a long time.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35We were excited, we wanted to see the Queen.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Everyone did.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42The route the cavalcade took around Cardiff had been publicised
0:15:42 > 0:15:43well in advance.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46The Queen and Prince Philip would do a loop of the city
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and visit some of the suburbs.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52The armed services provided a bit of pomp...
0:15:52 > 0:15:55while the police were in charge of crowd control.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03And then a policeman there, a big sergeant, he was -
0:16:03 > 0:16:05the police were big in them days,
0:16:05 > 0:16:06they were about six foot six, I think,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and standing there they looked about seven foot six
0:16:09 > 0:16:10because we were so small -
0:16:10 > 0:16:14escorted us across the road onto this sort of greenery.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18He said, "You stay there until the Queen comes.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20"When she comes, you wave your flags".
0:16:21 > 0:16:25We were so excited, we were waving our flags and everything
0:16:25 > 0:16:26and everybody cheered her.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29It was the most exciting thing that you could ever imagine,
0:16:29 > 0:16:30seeing the Queen.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And she gave us a wave, it was absolutely thrilling.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40Not only that, the car slowed down so we had a good look at her.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45That made it even better. I thought, "That's very nice."
0:16:48 > 0:16:53I think it was important for all of us at that time to see our queen
0:16:53 > 0:16:57and she went out of her way to make sure that we did see her.
0:16:57 > 0:17:03It was hard times for all of us after the war - people tend to forget that.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07This was a joyous occasion, a celebration for her
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and being the great queen she's been.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19The new monarch made a huge impact everywhere she went.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23At each stop of the tour the couple left their mark,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25writing their names in visitors books.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38This is the one they signed in Llanelli.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43It's been preserved in the town's archives ever since.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49The fleeting visit to the west Wales town
0:17:49 > 0:17:51was the first by a ruling sovereign.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54She would spend just under an hour here
0:17:54 > 0:17:57after completing a full day of engagements elsewhere.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Many of those who live in Llanelli now will have little idea
0:18:01 > 0:18:04of the overwhelming impression that this visit had
0:18:04 > 0:18:06on its residents at the time.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Martin Lewis was a policeman in July 1953.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19'He usually pounded the beat in Ammanford,'
0:18:19 > 0:18:24but was called to stand guard for the Queen when she came to Llanelli.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29You had been told to wear white gloves
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and to take sandwiches with us.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37We had the sandwiches at the police station before we went to do duty.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41He needed to keep his strength up.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Tens of thousands of people from across Carmarthenshire,
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire had swarmed into the town
0:18:48 > 0:18:52to see in the flesh someone many had only seen on a postage stamp.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02More than 7,000 feet of fencing was erected to corral the spectators
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and the police were on hand to make sure everyone behaved.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11You were told to stand on the road and face the crowds.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15The crowds were about three or four deep.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18A policeman, we had one every 60 yards.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Lots of flags.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Can't remember any red dragons but lots of flags.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29The town hall was decorated from top to bottom.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Roads were closed and planes were banned from flying overhead.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38There had been two dress rehearsals for the visit.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39And, as Martin said,
0:19:39 > 0:19:44police were told to stay in front of the crowds and face them.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47But not every bobby obeyed orders.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52People were, oh, restless.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58The people out there in front of me told me,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00"We can't see the Queen when she comes".
0:20:00 > 0:20:03So I went round the back.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06So, I had a good view of the Queen.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16The royal train was due to arrive at seven o'clock in the evening.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20But it was half an hour late, for which the Queen apologised.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Finally, her tour of the town began.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Were you worried at all about the number of people who were there?
0:20:36 > 0:20:40The crowd were wonderful. I didn't see any incident whatsoever.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48She came to Llanelli to show herself and the people appreciated it.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56She and Prince Philip were in the back of the car, open topped.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02And we had a good view, everybody cheered and that was that.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14At the town hall, the dignitaries and VIPs anxiously awaited
0:21:14 > 0:21:16their royal guests.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Outside in the crowd that day was Alun Bowen Thomas,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26who later became the chief executive of Llanelli Council.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31He was yet to meet his wife, Margaret,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34but she was there on that day too.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Scores of people had gathered,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41hoping for a glimpse of the Queen and her husband.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46Alun was 18. He remembers the day as an excuse to meet girls.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50And Margaret was one of the 8,000 schoolchildren
0:21:50 > 0:21:52who were lining the streets.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56'Today, back in the town hall,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01'they vividly remember where they stood to see the royal couple.'
0:22:01 > 0:22:07The teachers must have been given a plan of which year was to go where.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09I was in Station Road.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Where were you standing?
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I was standing on the junction of Murray Street and, erm,
0:22:15 > 0:22:20Station Road, opposite what was then the Odeon cinema.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27The Queen had requested that the route be changed
0:22:27 > 0:22:31so she could see as many children as possible during the short ride
0:22:31 > 0:22:32around the town,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35which delighted those who'd waited all day for her to arrive.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40I'd never seen the Queen, never thought we ever would see the Queen.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44There was great preparation. What time shall we get to our spot?
0:22:46 > 0:22:50We had fun watching people manoeuvring into a better position,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54especially ladies, they're very good at it, aren't they? You know.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- Well, they wanted to see their Queen.- Yes, yes.- Full marks to them.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I think Welsh ladies are pretty good,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04they're very forceful and determined!
0:23:07 > 0:23:12And we were very, very excited and jumping for joy when she arrived.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14It was absolutely wonderful.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21Everything went so quickly, though. We wanted her to come back and back.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25I know what struck Margaret was how good looking the prince was!
0:23:25 > 0:23:27She says it frequently!
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- Because he was in uniform. - He was, yes, he was.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36There were parts of the journey into this very building
0:23:36 > 0:23:39where the crowds were that close
0:23:39 > 0:23:42someone could have reached out and touched the Queen.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51What do you think it meant for the people of Llanelli
0:23:51 > 0:23:52for the Queen to visit?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Well, it picked us up as it did any other town,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58because it was just eight years after the war.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59War was very colourless,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03and suddenly we had all this excitement and all this colour -
0:24:03 > 0:24:06because there was a lot of colour. A tremendous amount of colour.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13It was as though somebody had thrown a valve, you know,
0:24:13 > 0:24:19and the frustration and the rigours of the war had been released.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24The Queen and Prince Philip left Llanelli
0:24:24 > 0:24:28as they'd travelled through it - in an open-topped car.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It made its way slowly through the thronging streets
0:24:31 > 0:24:33back to the station for the royal train,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35and its overnight journey to north Wales
0:24:35 > 0:24:40for further stops at Caernarfon, Llangollen, Rhyl and Wrexham.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47There was that happy atmosphere that you get on any event.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50The conversation for a couple of days was,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52"Where were you standing?", "What did you see?"
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Never thought of that. 60 years ago.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Frightening!
0:24:58 > 0:25:00THEY BOTH LAUGH
0:25:04 > 0:25:08All the precious footage that was captured by amateur film-makers
0:25:08 > 0:25:11has resurrected memories that had faded over six decades.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18# Fairy tales can come true
0:25:19 > 0:25:21# It can happen to you
0:25:23 > 0:25:26# If you're young at heart... #
0:25:26 > 0:25:29For Honora, our queen from Newport,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31the Coronation seems like a lifetime ago.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35The young girl has become a grandmother
0:25:35 > 0:25:38and has seen the royal family's highs and lows
0:25:38 > 0:25:39over the last 60 years.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44# Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth
0:25:44 > 0:25:47# To be young at heart... #
0:25:49 > 0:25:52'It's brought back a lot of memories of when all this
0:25:52 > 0:25:55'took place 60 years ago.'
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I can't believe 60 years has flown.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14All this reminiscing has reminded Honora that she's held on to
0:26:14 > 0:26:18a treasured possession from that special summer of celebration.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23And for the first time since then, it's been taken out of storage
0:26:23 > 0:26:26and displayed in all its glory.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37This was a present that I was given by my fiance
0:26:37 > 0:26:39and it was just the finishing touch,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41I feel, to go with this little outfit.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49He thought he was a real lucky boy!
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Yes! I've got letters to prove it.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54SHE LAUGHS
0:26:54 > 0:26:59He said I looked really regal as I came down the stairs.
0:27:03 > 0:27:0760 years ago, and I can't believe it's the...
0:27:07 > 0:27:11..that a dress can look this good after 60 years!
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It's just like the day I wore it.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18I really felt like a coronation queen.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32There were many people made to feel special.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Those who played some part in the celebrations,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38those who were presented to the Queen, and every single person
0:27:38 > 0:27:43who turned out to witness history and who took her to their hearts.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53While this was a British event,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56at the same time, people also saw it as a Welsh event.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01This was Wales taking part in a national, even global, event.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04So it is about Britishness, but it also revealed people had a pride
0:28:04 > 0:28:07in where they came from at a local level too.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23When the Queen said goodbye to Wales after a whistle-stop tour,
0:28:23 > 0:28:27she left behind memories that have lasted a lifetime.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Those memories are still vivid today
0:28:30 > 0:28:33as people celebrate a remarkable milestone.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35A reign that's already lasted 60 years.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd