The King is axing centuries of royal tradition to invite 850 local heroes to his People’s Coronation.
From fundraisers to firefighters and carers to community workers, Britain’s local heroes are to play a key role in the event.
Charles will do away with centuries of tradition by inviting 850 ordinary people with extraordinary stories in place of law-makers and peers to celebrate the start of his reign.
And among them will be Max Woosey, 13, who camped in his garden for three years to rake in more than £600,000 for a local hospice.
The event at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, is being hailed a “People’s Coronation” to honour those who work tirelessly to help others.
Organisers said: “The King insisted on celebrating this momentous event with the people who have made a difference in their communities and make Britain what it is today.”
Invitations have also been sent to more than 450 British Empire Medal recipients in recognition of their selfless contributions to society. Many were instrumental in providing services and support during lockdowns.
Pride of Britain and BEM winner Max, from Braunton, Devon, said: “It’s incredible to be invited. It’s an honour to be able to go to the Coronation.”
But Max, who was just 10 when he began his camping marathon in all weathers to boost funds for North Devon Hospice, warned he may struggle to stay quiet at the ceremony.
He added: “If you hear someone talking, it will probably be me.”
As Max, who finally slept in his own bed this week is under 18, dad Mark will go with him to the service. Mum Rachael told of her pride but admitted she was “pretty jealous” of the pair getting to be part of the historic day.
A royal source said: “Of course there is a tremendous amount of deference to the traditions of the past but this occasion will truly represent the world in which we live in, a People’s Coronation.
“When the eyes of the world will be on Britain, people like Max, who have gone above and beyond to help communities, are the essence of such an event.”
Insiders revealed the King discussed the move with the Queen and his son Prince William, who were all in favour. In another first, 400 young people personally chosen by Charles and Camilla have been invited to a private viewing of the Coronation Service at the nearby St Margaret’s Church.
They include members of The Prince’s Trust, The Prince’s Foundation, Barnardo’s, The National Literacy Trust and Ebony Horse Club, Scout Association, Girlguiding UK, St John Ambulance and the National Citizen Service. Some of those organisations will provide stewarding, route lining and first aid services on the day across London.
The Coronation is expected to be far shorter and less extravagant than Queen Elizabeth’s three-hour 1953 ceremony, in keeping with the King’s plans for a slimmed-down monarchy.
Max Woosey - For services to fundraising for the North Devon Hospice
Max was just 10 when he decided to camp in his garden to raise £100 for the North Devon Hospice during lockdown.
He kept it up for three years and has raised over £600,000.
Max’s tent was a gift from neighbour, Rick Abbott, who died of cancer aged 74 in 2020.
The money Max has raised pays for 16 community nurses who support North Devon patients in some of England’s most remote rural areas. Max also organised a worldwide campout in 2021 for kids to celebrate overcoming a year of the pandemic.
Nearly 2,000 children around the world joined in.
Max also used the one-year anniversary to raise awareness that many children experienced difficulties in lockdown.
Max has recently received the Unsung Hero Award from Chief Scout Bear Grylls and the Scout Association.
Ms Manju Malhi - For services to the community in London during Covid
Manju Malhi is a professional chef who has acted as the Resident Chef for charity Open Age since 2016.
Open Age champions an active life for older people in London, helping over-50s to sustain their physical and mental fitness, maintain an active lifestyle and develop new interests.
Manju turned Open Age’s kitchen into a cookery school and restaurant for members and staff, and offered remote cookery classes during the pandemic.
Manju also leads Open Age’s community Big Local Family Cooking Club. It lets all residents come together, make a meal and eat as community family.
Mrs Dawn Wood - Marine constable, Essex Police. Services tomarine policing and to conservation
Dawn recently completed one of the toughest nautical challenges, rowing 3,000 miles unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean and almost setting a world solo record.
Since returning to the UK, Dawn has visited over 50 schools and communities to talk about her experiences and raise awareness of marine plastic pollution.
In August 2019, she arranged the Big Burnham Litter Pick to clear litter from the shoreline. She continues to raise awareness of plastic pollution through fundraising and advising local businesses.
Sahil Usman - For services to the community in Blackburn, Lancs, during Covid
At the age of 15, while suffering from leukaemia, Sahil dedicated time during the first Covid lockdown to supporting vulnerable people in the community of Blackburn, Lancs.
Sahil created 300 hampers with essentials to give to elderly people across Blackburn.
In 2018, when first diagnosed with cancer, Sahil decided to spend his own money on buying Christmas gifts, gloves and hats for other patients on his ward, a tradition which he continued for two years.
Sahil also coordinated a “Raising Awareness for Cancer” project, designing presentations to deliver in schools about the disease.
Mrs Katrina Moffat - Leader, Girlguiding UK. For services to young people in North Tyneside
Having become a member of Girlguiding UK in July 2005, Katrina opened the 1st Forest Hall Guides group in 2012.
More recently she has been instrumental in bringing the community together in the form of The Happiness Project.
This is a collaboration between Forest Hall Guides and Brownies and Park View Care Home, with the aim of alleviating loneliness among the elderly and encouraging members to take an active role within the community.
Ms Franstine Jones - For services to Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Suffolk
Franstine is the first female president of the National Black Police Association.
She also heads up BInspyred, an organisation she founded that provides equality training, as well as coaching and mentoring for those from Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority backgrounds.
In November 2018, she was listed among Suffolk’s 100 most inspirational women who are positive role models for future generations.
Mr Rhys Mallows - Managing Director, Hensol Castle Distillery. For services to NHS and key workers during Covid
At the start of lockdown, Rhys, from Cowbridge, South Wales, repurposed the Hensol Castle Distillery to begin producing hand sanitiser for the NHS, key workers and general public.
The distillery has since produced more than one million bottles of 100ml hand sanitisers, more than any other distillery in the UK.
It took two weeks for the switch and Rhys carefully sourced materials to make the recipe recommended by the World Health Organization.
Anthony & Vicki Van Someren - Co-Creators, Bike Shed Community Response. For services to the Covid response
After their business – The Bike Shed in Shoreditch, East London – shut its doors during lockdown, the pair wanted to help out.
They mobilised the Bike Shed community to form a network of volunteer riders to provide free courier-style services to assist in the battle against Covid.
This included delivering PPE to healthcare workers, and food and medicine to vulnerable members of the public.
The team also got testing kits to people who were shielding.
Mr John Anderson - For services to the community in Fraserburgh during the Covid response
The volunteer fireman with the Grampian Fire Brigade recently retired after 44 years.
He established and ran the local Blue Light Festival to promote the good work of the local emergency services and community safety.
As a volunteer fireman he also helped with large-scale rescues, including a nine-hour mission to save someone trapped in rubble after a factory explosion in Glasgow.
John joined the International Rescue Corps 30 years ago, helping in the wake of disasters across the world.
