Yahoo News How an 'Utterly Normal' Person Is Prepping for King Charles' Coronation: 'Booked My Spray Tan!'
Claire Saunders, who received a British Empire Medal for campaigning to protect for shop workers, plans to "hide some snacks" for the early arrival time at the Westminster Abbey crowning ceremony
While King Charles' coronation guest list includes members of the royal family, foreign monarchs and dignitaries from around the world, one "regular person" who scored an invitation to the crowning ceremony is getting ready for the big day.
Claire Saunders, Facilities Management Business Partner at Co-Op, was awarded a British Empire Medal for her campaigning to protect shop workers — and on May 6, she will be one of the 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
"I've found a really nice dress, and I've got my fascinator, booked my spray tan, booked my eyelashes — it's all good!" Saunders, 42, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
She adds that guests for the crowning ceremony were asked to arrive at Westminster Abbey at 7 a.m. — four hours before the service is scheduled to begin.
"I'm going to hide some snacks!" Saunders shares. "I'm going to sneak some chocolate in my clutch bag — I've already made sure it's got a pocket!"
Related:Unexpected Guest to King Charles' Coronation 'Blown Away' by Invite: 'It's a Moment in History'
Buckingham Palace previously announced that the King, 74, invited over 850 community and charity representatives to his historic coronation. Over 450 British Empire Medallist (BEM) recipients were invited to see the service from the ancient Abbey itself. Meanwhile, over 400 young people, some representing charities chosen by King Charles and Queen Camilla, will witness the festivities from St. Margaret's Church at Westminster Abbey.
The BEM honor is distributed at the local level for outstanding community service or achievement, celebrating exemplary volunteer or charity work with lasting impact.
Saunders was nominated for her BEM in 2021 after standing up for shop workers amid an increase in threatening behavior amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, we noticed a hike in verbal abuse, sometimes even physical abuse. I'm the sort of person that just can't sit back so I got involved in the USDAW campaign," she explains of the union for shop workers. Saunders lobbied for tougher sentences for abusive behavior and encouraged employees to share stories as part of the #notpartofthejob campaign.
Saunders previously attended a Buckingham Palace garden party and Kate Middleton's Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, but she says the coronation "tops the list." But when she received an email inviting her to King Charles' crowning, she thought her friends were "playing a joke on me."
"I couldn't believe it! I'm just Claire from Essex," she says. "I was shocked to get the BEM but to get this, I'm just so overwhelmed."
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Still can’t quite believe it! The most beautiful invitation . So excited @RoyalFamily @coopuk #Coronation pic.twitter.com/wvMzWiUTob
— Claire Saunders (@claireimogen28) April 21, 2023
Saunders adds, "I'm just a regular person — I'm completely and utterly normal, and I think that's what makes it more special that they are recognizing regular people in the community. You just expect it's going to be royals and famous faces, but for us to get this opportunity, it shows the future of the royal family and the way they are thinking. I am absolutely honored."
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