Crowning glory

In the interests of research, I sent messages to England. Had anyone else found moments in the coronation of King Charles III exquisitely funny? Word soon came from London, "Yes, we laughed and laughed."

- Charlotte Grimshaw

There followed an extensive comparing of notes. The funniest moment, it was agreed, was when the Archbishop of Canterbury was screwing the crown onto the King's head. There was a twisting movement, a ramming down and a final stooping check of the handiwork. Poor King Charles, by this time swathed in mad finery, visibly anxious and struggling with his baubles, looked as if he might faint.

You could imagine the archbishop whispering, "Stop fidgeting, man!" The height of the crown did it for many of us. Along with the mystifying royal oven glove, it looked far too much like a tall chef's hat.

When Camilla received hers, and was forced to adjust her fringe, her crown, once screwed on, appeared to be taller than the King's. Some of his subjects were in hysterics by this time; in fact, one laughed so hard she banged her head against the wall.