Coronation flypast scaled down as weather ruins celebrations

06 May 2023 , 13:10
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The Red Arrows perform over RAF Odiham in Hampshire during the RAF Odiham Families Day in August 2022 (Image: PA)
The Red Arrows perform over RAF Odiham in Hampshire during the RAF Odiham Families Day in August 2022 (Image: PA)

The Coronation flypast has been scaled down as the weather ruined this afternoon's celebrations.

It will now be formed of helicopters and The Red Arrows, the Ministry of Defence said.

More than 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force had been due to take part.

The King and Queen were expected to watch the flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The display over The Mall and Buckingham Palace was originally meant to last for six minutes, but the scaled-down version will last for less than half of that time.

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Coronation flypast scaled down as weather ruins celebrationsThe Red Arrows performing a flypast along the Mall on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last June (PA)

The MoD said it would last for two minutes and 30 seconds.

An MoD statement said: "Due to unsuitable weather conditions, the coronation flypast will now be formed of helicopters and the Royal Air Force aerobatic team The Red Arrows.

"The flypast will last for two minutes and 30 seconds."

It comes as thousands of Britons braving rainy weather and grey skies over London to witness the coronation pomp and pageantry were warned to wear raincoats and expect puddles.

The Met Office said many southern parts of the UK are likely to be cloudy with some outbreaks of rain throughout Saturday afternoon.

Coronation flypast scaled down as weather ruins celebrationsKing Charles III is crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury (PA)

The Met Office said temperatures could "could get to 22C in the South East" on Sunday.

This would be the highest temperature recorded in the UK in 2023 so far, exceeding the 21.2C in Kinlochewe, Scotland, on April 17.

On Saturday, Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said it is "definitely wet weather gear" weather, adding "It's not going to be very nice this afternoon.

"A lot of standing water around, puddles. Things could be a lot better, to be honest, not looking nice at all."

He said Saturday's conditions were "certainly good for reservoirs" but "not particularly good if you are doing events out and about as many people are".

Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to windowTips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window
Coronation flypast scaled down as weather ruins celebrationsKing Charles III and Queen Camilla travelling in the Gold State Coach down the Mall (Getty Images)

Mr Petagna added: "For the South East it's not looking great to be honest from now onwards through the day we are going to see cloudy skies, outbreaks of rain.

"So across the South East, some of the rain could be on the heavy side turning a bit more showery into the afternoon."

He said temperatures in the capital could peak at 16C or 17C on Saturday afternoon, with 17C expected in Belfast and 15C in Glasgow.

Mr Petagna stressed that it was not his place to decide whether the conditions were appropriate for the military flypast.

But he added: "There's going to be low cloud around so it's not going to be the of best conditions. Certainly not good conditions for flying."

Patrick Hill

Weather, King Charles Coronation

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