Coronation elation: Belong Chester celebrates the new King and Queen

As King Charles III and Queen Camilla ascended to the throne at the weekend, customers and families at Belong Chester marked the historic occasion with a coronation extravaganza to remember.

The City Road care village’s celebration centrepiece comprised a special party, transporting residents and tenants dressed in their best to ceremonies of the past with swing and jazz entertainment, courtesy of Rich Swings. Customers tucked into a foodie heaven spread with high class canapés, the newly released coronation quiche and succulent strawberry and basil tartlets.

Meanwhile, children from the care village’s integrated nursery popped in for a tea party with their ‘grandfriends’, as they are known, before leading a coronation march through the village, banging drums and jingling bells in the name of royal celebration. Together, they also took the opportunity to learn about one another’s favourite royals whilst taking in the excitement.

In preparation for the main event, customers called upon their creative flair designing their own postcards with messages of congratulations for the new king and queen. Later, whilst making decorations to adorn their home, the sharing of stories from past royal festivities conjured happy memories of days gone by.

For the big moment itself, Belong customers and colleagues waved their Union Jacks whilst cheering on the royals from their in-house entertainment venue, before enjoying their fancy banquet inspired by British cuisine classics and accompanied by a tipple or two. More gala festivities followed, including music and dancing and a joyful atmosphere.

Charlotte Parton, experience coordinator at Belong Chester, said: “Our customers have many fond memories of past royal occasions, including Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation 70 years ago, so we took lead from what they wanted to see, bringing to life their ideas for how to celebrate. The result was a right royal knees-up, inspired by their memories, infused with modern take – a fantastic party that will be talked about for years to come!”

Last year, the not-for-profit dementia specialist was chosen to feature in the official publication of Her Majesty The Queen: The Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant Album. The book commends outstanding individuals and organisations from across the country and the Commonwealth that have had an impact on life in the UK during the seven decades of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.