LAUSR

In the last week of May 1953, all of Britain had begun celebrations for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. On 27 May 1953, Churchill, aged 79 years, spoke at a luncheon given before the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and that evening gave a preconference dinner party at 10 Downing Street. The Coronation took place on 2 June and Churchill attended, though was very tired when the day came, according to Jane Portal, his Secretary. On 3 June, Churchill was in the Chair at the opening meeting of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers; Churchill also chaired the second meeting on 4 June. In the absence of the Foreign Secretary, who was awaiting an operation, Churchill and his wife were hosts to the Queen at a banquet at Lancaster House on the evening of 5 June. The following day Churchill was at the Derby Stakes at Epsom Downs Racecourse and on 8–9 June he chaired the fourth and fifth meetings of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers. On the evening of 9 June, there was a ‘vast Commonwealth dinner at No. 10 for the visiting Prime Ministers, followed by a reception’.