Pictured: RAF airbase is turned into life-size replica of coronation procession with more than 7,000 troops brushing up on their drill
- More than 7,000 troops took part in a rehearsal at RAF Odiham, with rugby posts for Buckingham Palace
- Read more: King’s Coronation LIVE: Get the latest news about the plans for May 6 on the MailOnline live blog
Rehearsals are ramping up for thousands of servicemen ahead of next weekend’s coronation celebrations, which will be kicked off by the elaborate procession from Westminster Abbey on May 6.
On Sunday, more than 7,000 UK Armed Forces troops took part in a full-scale practice at RAF Odiham, perfecting their drill and timings so that everything goes smoothly on the big day.
The route of the procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace was mapped onto the airfield using a pace stick to give servicemen a sense of scale.
Flag bearers paraded alongside neat grids of sailors, soldiers, and aviators stretching across the base, including personnel from the 34 Commonwealth countries and six overseas territories.
The coronation procession will bring together the largest parade of military personnel since the funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965.
Flagbearers representing the 34 Commonwealth nations march alongside a band at the head of the marching contingent, which was brought up in the rear by the Household Calvary
The Gold State Coach, which will be used by the King and Queen as they return to Buckingham Palace from the Abbey next Saturday, was replaced by a brown minivan for the purposes of the rehearsal
Navy chief First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key said: ‘Putting it all together for the first time here actually, there’s a tinge of excitement.
‘For us to have the opportunity and the privilege to play a small role in the coronation of His Majesty and Her Majesty in just under a week’s time is a mixture of excited anticipation, probably a few nerves and great pride.
‘The late Queen, like the King today, was an enormous supporter of the armed forces and what we do, and we see this being continued in him.
More than 7,000 troops joined today’s rehearsal at the RAF airbase, where the procession route was mapped out on the floor for them to follow
Members of the Royal Navy parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30
Drummers from the Band of His Majesties Royal Marines from Portsmouth provide accompaniment and timing for the servicemen taking part in the rehearsal
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth Nations and 6 Overseas Territories lead a full rehearsal of the ceremonial procession
Soldiers from a British Army Band will march in the tri-service procession, providing music to add to the general celebratory atmosphere
Soldiers march in formation in a practice ahead of the coronation. There will be further night-time rehearsals to iron out any kinks in the arrangements
Members of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, Band of the Royal Air Force College and the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment take a break during the rehearsal
‘We have enormous confidence in King Charles as our Commander in Chief and it’s a great opportunity for us to show our allegiance to him and I’m sure that his mother will look down with great pride on the day.
‘I’m looking forward to joining up with my family who are hoping to be in the crowds in London enjoying the atmosphere.
‘No doubt I’ll then shed my uniform and pull on some incognito clothes to join in because it is a great national celebration.’
An RAF Sergeant gives instructions to his men during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal at RAF Odiham on April 30
Perfectly straight lines of RAF personnel wait at attention to join the proceedings. The rehearsal was a chance to polish drill skills ahead of the big day
RAF personnel stand in formation during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on Sunday
Thousands of soldiers, sailors and aviators marched in a full-scale rehearsal for the big day. The procession will accompany the King and Queen back to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony
The Royal Lancers parade during the full-scale practice at RAF Odiham ahead of the coronation proceedings on May 6
Two press officers stand in for the King and Queen to be the focus of the Royal Salute at the end of a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway
Commonwealth troops headed up the marching contingent, while the Household Cavalry made up the rear of the impressive procession.
Officials were creative in how they recreated the route, with a pair of rugby posts playing the part of Buckingham Palace, a set of cones replacing Admiralty Arch at the entrance to The Mall, enabling troops to split and reform as they will do on the actual day.
A brown Indcar minibus stood in for the royal Gold State Coach, which will be used to return the newly-crowned sovereign to Buckingham Palace. The Diamond Jubilee State Coach will carry King Charles and Queen Camilla to the coronation.
One animal was invited to take part in proceedings – an Irish wolfhound called Seamus, who is the Irish Guards’ mascot and is the only dog taking part in the parade
Members of the Armed Forces during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal at RAF Odiham in Hampshire on Sunday April 30
Members of the Armed Forces during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, ahead of their involvement in the second procession on May 6, after the formal coronation ceremony
British army soldiers march as part of the rehearsal of the coronation procession at RAF Odiham on Sunday. A full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal took place
RAF service members parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30. All three services will take place in the parade
Members of the Royal Marines parade during a full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham on April 30
Flag bearers representing 34 Commonwealth Nations and 6 overseas territories await the beginning of the rehearsal. They will lead the procession
Soldiers from the Guards hold their bearskin hats in the air as they give three cheers for King Charles III and Queen Camilla as part of a Royal Salute
Meanwhile, mounted cavalry marched on foot to avoid debris such as horseshoes or manure being left on the runway which could be a hazard to the aircraft taking off from the base.
But one animal was invited to take part in proceedings – an Irish wolfhound called Seamus, who is the Irish Guards’ mascot and is the only dog taking part in the parade.
Soldiers have spent weeks polishing the boots they will wear on the day of the coronation but have been marching so much in rehearsals that they were permitted to wear more comfortable boots on Sunday to avoid developing blisters ahead of next Saturday.
The event was the first and only full daytime rehearsal for the coronation, although there will be a night rehearsal during the week.
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