An Asda delivery driver who attended the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla has described the experience as ‘an amazing, and very surreal day’.
Geoff Norris BEM flew back from his son’s pre-wedding celebrations in Greece especially for the royal ceremony.
As well as experiencing the historic service, he saw the spectaular sight of the newly crowned king and queen wearing the Crown Jewels.
Geoff said: “It was an amazing, and very surreal day. The coronation itself was very intense and personal.
“We saw King’s Charles III open his heart to the nation, and for us there, we had the honour of being in the same room where that happened. It was a very surreal experience.
“I saw the Crown Jewels as a child at The Tower of London. But to see the King and Queen walk past us wearing them was incredible.”
Singer Lionel Richie was sitting in front of Geoff to his left.
Entertainers Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were on Geoff’s right, just a few seats away.
He also mingled with the stars and other guests after the service.
While there, Geoff grabbed selfies with the celebrities including Steven Frayne, a magician who is known by his stage name Dynamo.
Dec also filmed a short message wishing Geoff’s son well for his upcoming nuptials.
There were 2,200 people at the service in Westminster Abbey on Saturday (May 6) and among them were 400 British Empire recipients.
Read more
- Wisbech Asda delivery driver invited to King's Coronation
- Asda delivery driver Geoff Norris awarded the BEM
Pandemic hero Geoff was awarded the honour for taking special care of the vulnerable and elderly during the coronavirus pandemic.
He sought volunteers from among his colleagues to help on their days off to collect and deliver food to those who were self-isolating or vulnerable.
His wife and daughter also helped with the orders.
Geoff, who works at Asda in Wisbech, said: “We all knew it was King Charles’ wish to have volunteers attend the coronation and it was all down to him we were there.
“People like us would never have had the opportunity to experience this ceremony and we thank him for making it happen. It makes you feel so humble.”
He added: “When we were helping people during the pandemic, there was never any expectations for any sort of reward.
“My colleagues at Asda have backed us every step of the way with their support, they’re wonderful people.”
Geoff is now back in Greece where he will be best man at his son’s wedding on Wednesday.
“Now I need to focus on his big day,” Geoff added.
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