King Charles' Coronation celebrated in Colchester and Dovercourt

His Majesty King Charles III was officially crowned during a historic ceremony which was enjoyed by millions on Saturday.

The new monarch ascended the throne following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II last year.

Royalists across Essex marked the momentous occasion by hosting street parties and special events laden with Union Jack bunting, delicious cakes and live performances.

Cheers - Kerry Jones enjoyed the celebrations (Image: Steve Brading) (Image: Steve Brading)

In Halstead, for example, residents were treated to a show courtesy of The Beavers on Sunday on what was a gloriously sunny day.

Thousands of music fans descended on the green areas on Sunday, enjoying a glass of bubbly and a dance. Many partygoers rushed to dance in front of the bandstand at the end of the set.

The day before, the town's royalists headed out to watch the coronation on a big screen in the public gardens. 

In Colchester, meanwhile, Royal Family fans headed to Colchester Castle Park for a celebratory picnic and to watch a 21-gun salute.

The crowds turned out in good numbers, and the 21-gun salute seemed to go off without a hitch, even if the first firing did, as one might expect, give onlookers something of a jolt.

Naturally, the great and the good of Colchester’s past and present were well-positioned for the salute, which was carried out by the Airborne Gunners.

Picture: Steve Brading (Image: Newsquest)

Colchester MP Will Quince, Colchester Council leader David King, Mayor Tim Young, and Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell were all in situ, among other dignitaries.

As the crowds dispersed, there was the distant yet unmistakeable tones of a pipe band, and sure enough, Colchester City Pipes and Drums made their way to the Castle Park bandstand, refurbished last year for the Queen’s Jubilee.

There, they reeled off some of the classics: Loch Lomond, Highland Cathedral, and Scotland the Brave were all played out to the delighted crowds, who took shelter beneath the nearby trees.

The final send-off was the fly-over, with the Red Arrows zooming overhead as they made their way to London and Pall Mall.

Picture: Steve Brading (Image: Steve Brading)

About 200 people lined up on the roadside near Colchester United’s football stadium to watch the flypast, though by that point the umbrellas were firmly out, with the poor weather meaning the final fanfare was scaled back.

Royal residents also celebrated in Red Lion Yard, as well as in Dovercourt where there was a street party in the High Street.

The Big Coronation Party, organised by Dovercourt Street Market, boasted sweets, fairground and games, hampers, cakes, face-painting and other attractions.