The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

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The British nation came to a standstill on June 2nd 1953. Thousands lined the streets of London, while in homes and offices the length and breadth of Britain colleagues, neighbours and relatives huddled in corners, all peering avidly at a small piece of furniture with a grey screen, watching magic pictures of the coronation of Elizabeth II. For many it was their first glimpse of the invention; television.

The vigil lasted all day. Mealtimes were slotted in around crucial moments as girls gossiped about the merits of the Queen's dress and grandmothers said they had none of this when George V became King. It was an occasion none would forget.

They shed tears at the shot of the boy Prince Charles in the royal box watching his mother being crowned, reflected in a moment's silence at that shot of her handbag lying on the seat of the state coach and cheered wildly as the new Queen emerged from Westminster Abbey.

The broadcast began just after 10.00 am with Sylvia Peters introducing Berkeley Smith, the commentator outside Buckingham Palace, and it ended at 11.30 pm when Richard Dimbleby, who was commentating, said goodnight from the empty Abbey.