King Charles’ coronation a ‘feast for the eyes’ for Canadians celebrating

People across Canada are celebrating the coronation of King Charles III this weekend, the first coronation in seven decades, with parties and public events.

People across Canada are celebrating the coronation of King Charles III this weekend, the first coronation in seven decades, with watch parties, commemorative pins and public events.

The king was being crowned in an opulent ceremony attended by world leaders in the historic Westminster Abbey early Saturday morning. His wife, Camilla, was being crowned as queen consort.

And despite the early hour for Canadians, royal fans were not deterred from gathering to celebrate.

In Victoria, B.C., the 144-year-old Union Club hosted about 30 people gathered in the neo-Georgia-style brick building’s stately reading room, making themselves comfortable sitting on green leather couches and watching the ceremony on a big screen. Canadian flags, Union Jacks were on display throughout the room and coffee, tea and breakfast was available.

Donna Otto said she wanted to be part of history even though it meant being up when most Canadians are sleeping.

“At the same time that it’s happening, this is the moment in history,” she said. “It’s this moment and that feels right for me.”

Otto said despite King Charles’s age, he has been embracing modern ideas for years, including environmentalism, heritage preservation and gardening.

“He’s done things that haven’t always been acknowledged.”