Rare colour archive footage shows the new Queen Elizabeth on her Coronation day as hundreds of thousands of her cheering subjects lined London’s streets 

  • A spectacle of colour and pageantry, footage shows Queen Elizabeth II in 1953
  • Stunning archive film shows the Queen on her Coronation Day 
  • Great Britain's longest reigning monarch celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee today
  • Marking 65 years on the throne, the film shows a joyous London cheering the Queen along Pall Mall

By Rod Ardehali For Mailonline

Published: 12:04 EST, 6 February 2017 | Updated: 12:32 EST, 6 February 2017

Stunning archive footage shows the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation day in 1953.

Cheered along by thousands as her great procession made its way along Pall Mall, the rare colour footage has been released in honour of the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee - marking 65 years on the throne.

Heartwarming commentary by James McKechnie accompanies the film which shows London's bygone era - sepia tinted and gay.

Rare colour footage of Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation day has been released in celebration of her Sapphire Jubilee - marking 65 years on the throne

Rare colour footage of Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation day has been released in celebration of her Sapphire Jubilee - marking 65 years on the throne

 The Queen was formally crowned on June 2 1953 although she officially became Queen on February 6 1952 after the death of her father, George V

 The Queen was formally crowned on June 2 1953 although she officially became Queen on February 6 1952 after the death of her father, George V

'What a spectacle of colour and pageantry it was as the head of the Queen's procession approached the Abbey. Scarlet and gold and blue set off by the pale spring green of the trees and the multicoloured panorama of the rejoicing crowds,' says the familiar voice of McKechnie.

'And so, on past Admiralty Arch and through Trafalgar Square - the focal point of London's affectionate homage to its Queen - the great procession passed this spot three times and those of the crowd who didn't get a good view this time had two more chances later on,' continued his warm commentary. 

Much of the film was captured by renowned British Movietone cameraman Paul Wyand and has been preserved perfectly, depicting the jolly scenes of the day.

 'Scarlet and gold and blue set off by the pale spring green of the trees and the multicoloured panorama of the rejoicing crowds,' said the familiar voice of McKechnie.

 'Scarlet and gold and blue set off by the pale spring green of the trees and the multicoloured panorama of the rejoicing crowds,' said the familiar voice of McKechnie.

Hundreds of thousands took to the street in celebration of the day as the Queen's procession went around Pall Mall three times to allow the crowd a better glimpse

Hundreds of thousands took to the street in celebration of the day as the Queen's procession went around Pall Mall three times to allow the crowd a better glimpse

With the war still fresh in the nation's memory and meat rationing still in place, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II proved an uplifting and celebratory time for London

With the war still fresh in the nation's memory and meat rationing still in place, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II proved an uplifting and celebratory time for London

With the war still fresh in the nation's memory and meat rationing still in place, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II proved an uplifting and celebratory time for London.

Hundreds of thousands took to the street hoping for a glimpse of their new monarch who was still only 25. 

The beautifully preserved footage shows the procession heading towards the Abbey and shows the Queen officially crowned, curtseying toward her mother Queen Elizabeth I, and arising as the ruling monarch of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

Hundreds of thousands took to the street hoping for a glimpse of their new monarch who was still only 25-years-old

Hundreds of thousands took to the street hoping for a glimpse of their new monarch who was still only 25-years-old

The Royal Mail have begun issuing Sapphire Blue £5 stamps to commemorate today while the Royal Mint have issued specially designed Sapphire Jubilee commemorative coins.

The Royal Mail have begun issuing Sapphire Blue £5 stamps to commemorate today while the Royal Mint have issued specially designed Sapphire Jubilee commemorative coins.

Commentary by the familiar, old fashioned tones of James McKechnie accompany the film which shows a bygone London in festive mood, cheering their newly crowned monarch

Commentary by the familiar, old fashioned tones of James McKechnie accompany the film which shows a bygone London in festive mood, cheering their newly crowned monarch

While there are no grand festivities planned to celebrate the anniversary today, the Royal Mail have begun issuing Sapphire Blue £5 stamps to commemorate the day.

The Queen was formally crowned on June 2 1953 although she officially became Queen on February 6 1952 after the death of her father, George V 

In 2015, when she thanked the nation for its kind messages after overtaking Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. 

She said at the time that the royal record was ‘not one to which I have ever aspired’.

She added: ‘Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception.’ 

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