A paediatric physiotherapist at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust played a part in history by helping the King’s Coronation run smoothly thanks to her dedicated service with Scouts.
Claire Dixon was selected as one of 500 Scouts from across the UK and Commonwealth to support the historic event on Saturday 6 May.
As a proud member of the King Scout Working Party, Claire’s duties included supporting young people who were involved in the Coronation festivities, such as helping 50 explorers aged 14-18 who attended a special screening of the Coronation at St Margaret’s Chapel in Westminster.
Claire and young people from Scouts Network were also on hand to support the general public such as stewarding and being a friendly face in the crowd.
Claire, who works at the Sunflower Centre in Stourbridge, said: “It was amazing to be involved in the event because as Scouts we make a promise to do our duty to the King and to help other people.
“I was based in St James Park and the Mall and to be there for this historic day doing my duty was a privilege.”
Claire’s colleagues were “super excited” to see Claire take part in the Coronation. Claire even had to keep her involvement secret until the last minute due to the high level of security for the day.
She added it was “surreal” to be part of such an historic event, where she got the chance to see the newly crowned King Charles and Queen Camilla in person, along with a prime spot to see the Royal Family wave from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Her Coronation day duties came 13 years after she met the then Prince of Wales in person as part of the Colour Party for the day of celebration at Windsor Castle.
Claire, who has been part of the Scouts for 23 years, added: “It made the 2am wakeup call worth it. Even the rain did not damping people’s spirts. The singing, cheering, chanting and the whole atmosphere was phenomenal.”
This is not the end of Claire’s royal Scout links. She currently serves as deputy parade leader which involves organising events at Windsor Castle for the scout parade on the quadrangle and the service at St George's Chapel. In 2025 she will become parade leader, making her the first woman to take on the role.