07 May 2023 , 01:17
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Gyles Brandreth has explained that Dame Emma Thompson came to the aid of a fellow coronation guest when they began having a “coughing fit” during the ceremony.
The 75-year-old TV star revealed that 64-year-old Emma took action to do what she could to help the flailing fellow guest.
Gyles - who has featured on Channel 4’s Gogglebox in the past - also shared his account of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Speaking to the BBC following Saturday’s ceremony which took place in Westminster Abby, the Gogglebox star recalled: “There was a coughing fit just nearby.
Dame Emma Thompson assisted a Coronation ceremony guest (PA)“ I thought ‘What’s going to happen now’ and Dame Emma Thompson was fumbling in her bag and produced a cough sweet which was then passed down the row and given to the cougher then they stopped, which was wonderful, because we were having such music”.
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Reflecting on the day, Gyles hailed it “wonderful” and “magnificent”.
He said: “It was deeply moving to be there in the place where for 1000 years and more sovereigns have all been crowned, and to witness the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Gyles Brandreth revealed all in a post-ceremony chat (Getty Images)“I looked around at that very moment and there were tears in a lot of people’s eyes, it was a very moving moment, a magnificent day, but a human day as well.”
Gyles, who is a friend of the royal couple, also reflected on the new responsibilities the duo will undertake, saying: “It is a great responsibility they’ve taken off, but they’ve accepted it completely.
“I think it’s the reason we were so moved, you could see the stillness in him, the concentration, he was there in the moment.
“For him, it was a major spiritual day, he believes in it all, he wants it to work, and it will work because of his commitment.”
A string of celebrities were among the 2,000 guests attended - including Lord Lloyd-Webber, Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry and Australian musician Nick Cave.
American singers Katy Perry and Lionel Richie were also in attendance - and are both set to perform at the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle tonight.
Joanna Lumley was among guests attending the royal ceremony (PA)Dame Joanna Lumley spoke to Sky News, sharing her experience of the historic event which she attended as a guest.
She said: “It was just an extraordinary feeling, first of all it was a bit like a cocktail party because you seem to know everybody who’s coming in.
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“The music’s playing, it’s adorable, we’re looking around.
“Then gradually it begins closing in, and it’s a bit more formal, then suddenly it’s like we’ve stepped over the threshold into a mediaeval ceremony, something so extraordinary and uplifting, very religious, it was extraordinary.”
Katy Perry attended the Coronation ceremony on Saturday and will perform at a special concert to mark the event on Sunday night (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)Spice Girl Melanie Brown recalled a famous encounter with King Charles back in 1997 while talking to ITV ahead of the Coronation.
She said: “I think because we were all so excited on the day we all just kind of freaked out a bit, and broke protocol, and I gave him a kiss and then Geri gave him a kiss and pinched his bum… we were just overwhelmed with excitedness.
“I don’t think I’d do that again though… we were all just too excited.”