Photos of Brits celebrating coronations dating back over 100 years unearthed

By Ashley Pemberton via SWNS

A fascinating set of photos showing Brits celebrating coronations dating back more than 100 years have been unearthed ahead of King Charles' crowning ceremony.

An illuminated tram, street parties and even a sheep being roasted are among the collection of images rediscovered by librarians in Leeds.

The nostalgic gallery captures more than a century of the city’s coronation memories and shows how they have been celebrated through the years.

Louise Birch, a senior librarian at Leeds Libraries, said it was "fascinating to see how people had marked the occasion in their own way."

Leeds Twon Hall for the 1911 coronation. (Leeds City Council via SWNS)

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The images dug out of the archive show the streets and workplaces decorated for the coronations of Edward VII in 1902, George V in 1911 and Elizabeth II in 1953.

Among the photographs found in the Leeds Libraries records is a photo that shows a tram specially illuminated to celebrate the coronation of King George V.

Staff at a wholesale clothing manufacturer can be seen stoically sitting at their sewing machines wearing flowered bonnets while marking George V's coronation.

Their workshop, however, is decorated by bunting, paper chains and rosettes displaying the portrait of George V.

An image from 1911 shows how the people of Bruntcliffe also got in on the act, with a whole sheep being roasted as part of a celebration meal for local residents.

Meanwhile, more than half a century later in 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was marked by residents suspending a giant paper crown above their street.

Louise Birch curated the collection of images from an online photographic archive, which included more than 68,000 images of Leeds taken over the centuries.

She said: “It’s fascinating to see how different communities in Leeds celebrated what were clearly important and historic moments for the city and the nation and how coronations have brought people together to mark the occasion in their own way.

“Images like these give us a unique insight into the lives of those who have lived and worked in Leeds over the years, capturing and preserving a single moment in time and illustrating the people and events which have shaped the city we know today.”

Councillor Mary Harland said: “We’re extremely fortunate to have such a vast and comprehensive archive of images that captures the changing face of Leeds and how our city has evolved over the centuries.

“It’s also incredible to reflect on how our communities have united in celebration of coronations over the past hundred years and more as we look forward to the coronation taking place in Leeds next month.”