Coronation for a King

Freeverse

(Charles Philip Arthur George - b. 14 November 1948)

I had a cousin called Charles, said Aunty Olive.

Nice young man. That's him on our TV.

That's not cousin: it's King, said Aunty Lucy. It's King Charles.

Now watch it all on this TV. It's a TV, Olive, a TV.

It's nineteen fifty-three, isn't it? asked Aunty Olive.

I remember Victoria. There she is.

She's dead, said Aunty Lucy. And you meant Elizabeth. She's gone, too.

Now look at those oils. They're from the Mount of Olives.

Very posh, said Aunty Elsie. Olives.

Nothing to do with Aunty Olive though - she's here, right here. Ha-ha!

Do be quiet, said Aunty Olive. We're all different olives. Ha-ha!

And this boy is Prince Charles. Prince Charles.

Prince Harry, Olive, Aunty Elsie corrected. Not Charles.

Harry's the King's second son. That red-headed one.

Now, said Aunty Lucy, you must have heard of this chrism oil on this TV?

Oils of sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon.

Oh, yes, said Aunty Elsie. I've heard of them.

Neroli, too, and that benzoin, amber and orange blossom.

Oh, you do show off, our Elsie, said Aunty Olive.

We're not that Mr Shakespeare's three witches, you know!

But look who's here, Aunty Olive added:

that Prince What's His Name chap, that Princess royal.

 

Yes, said Aunty Elsie: Duke of Gloucester, Viscount Linley,

Prince George - that nice boy - and Princess Charlotte, it never stops.

And nor will this TV show, said Aunty Olive.

So let's watch this King George, er, Frederick, er . . .

Charles! Aunty Lucy bellowed. 

Charles! Charles! Charles! Charles! Charles!

(6 May 2003)

(You may wish to see also "Trooping the Colour" of June 2022 and "Obsequies for a Queen" of September 2022)

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

It seems like your family members are having a lively conversation about the royal family and various oils on television. Despite some confusion about who's who, they seem to be enjoying each other's company. It's always nice to spend time with family and share in each other's interests and hobbies.

[Andrew John]

I did have three aunts called Elsie, Lucy and Olive. There are a few similarities, but it's a long time since I saw them. And, yes, I was a little boy! Thanks, Bhuyanshi.

[Akinlolu]

This could have been a scene in a movie or an engaging chapter in a novel. Cheers from Akinlolu.

[Andrew John]

Thank you so much, Akinlolu.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my dad tried to remember things and got so frustrated with conversations when he could not remember, I tried to help him along best I could.
He was a King to me...

[Andrew John]

Thanks, Jacob. I seem to have done my three royals now, which you may have seen: "Trooping the Colour", "Obsequies for a Queen" and this one. Royalty away, away!

[Chris Shaw]

I thought of my aunt today watching the coronation in her residential home with all the other residents, most who have dementia. Probably a very happy occasion, but not getting the dates or the names right.

Chris

[Andrew John]

Thanks so much for comment, Chris. Always good to hear from you.

[Chris Shaw]

My pleasure Andrew.