Sport pays tribute to the King on day of coronation
Sport paid tribute to the king on the day of his coronation when Chelsea striker Sam Kerr led the Australian delegation in the formal procession in London.
Selected to carry her country’s flag as part of the Commonwealth, Kerr was at the head of an Australian contingent that included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when they went to Westminster Abbey for church service on Saturday morning.
After cricketers rose to watch the national anthem ahead of day three of the current round of LV Insurance County championship games, the afternoon football games also paid tribute to the king.
Premier League leaders Manchester City hosted Leeds at the Etihad Stadium, where the national anthem was played before kick-off as the players stood around the center circle while a crowning symbol was displayed on the big screen.
Fans had the opportunity to watch the ceremony ahead of the Bournemouth and Tottenham games, as did spectators at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, where events had been suspended during the ceremony.
Further afield, Formula 1 sent its congratulations to the king, with several teams sporting the coronation emblem at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
Sir Alastair Cook – who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 – was among the cricketers watching the national anthem.
Cook joined his Essex team-mates and Surrey opponents, including England players Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Will Jacks, as they lined the border at Chelmsford as God Save the King played in front of those in attendance.
Similar scenes were seen at Headingley, Ageas Bowl and Trent Bridge, although some of the games were unable to start on time due to rain.
England stars James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow were among the most famous faces to attend the proceedings.
Charles, formerly the Prince of Wales, has been Patron of Glamorgan since 1986 and they posted a picture of him holding a bat during a visit to Sophia Gardens.
Two Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy games at Old Trafford and Chester-le-Street were similarly marked.
The events in London also affected the Badminton Horse Trials.
Dressage on Saturday started at 8:00 am and was interrupted at 10:15 am to allow spectators to watch the coronation on big screens.
The action resumed at 12.45pm, with some screen access still available for those wishing to witness the full ceremony.
