While people from around the world descended on London for the opportunity to spot the royal procession go by, hundreds also gathered at Salisbury Cathedral for its screening of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

Archaeologist Phil Harding, a deputy lieutenant for the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, sat in the front row alongside Mayor of Salisbury Tom Corbin, Mayoress Caroline Corbin and Dean of Salisbury Cathedral Nick Papadopulos.

Phil said: “At these sorts of occasions, nobody does it better than the British. There are very few countries in the world that could put on a show like this.”

Alex Bance, 43, of Salisbury, said he knew he would attend the screening at the cathedral on Saturday, May 6 when he first heard about it in the weeks ahead, to see the crowning of not only King Charles but also Queen Camilla, whom he met once as a member of the Rifles.

Alex said: “I’ve met Camilla. She’s my favourite royal. I think she’s fantastic. I met her in 2012.

"She was absolutely lovely, properly down to Earth, really nice. She made the effort to talk to people, and when she spoke to you, you really got the feeling that she was listening.”

Margaret Kaltenbach, 64, of Paducah, Kentucky, arrived in Salisbury on a visit arranged before the date of the Coronation was announced. She said she has always been interested in the royal family.

Margaret said: “I remember watching the wedding between King Charles and Lady Diana, and I’m just very interested in the royal family- the tradition.”

Kevin Drake, 64, of Salisbury, came decked out in a large Union flag T-shirt. He said the attention the world gives the royal family shows the UK’s importance in the world.

He said: “That is the ultimate soft power. We haven’t got a president, we’ve got a King. The world is looking on us.”