'God save the queen' cried the concourse as it watched Archbishop of Canterbury Geoffrey Fisher place on her head St Edward's Crown - symbol of the British monarchy.

After watching her progress to the ancient abbey and waiting to see her emerge as queen, the crowd outside took up the cry. Rising in one great body, hats were removed and heads were bowed.

The young queen then submitted to a hallowed ritual, which saw her pledge to serve her people.

Amid the rich and multicoloured scene - bearers of regalia, churchmen in scarlet cassocks, heralds in medieval tunics, burgundy and ermine - the queen appeared like a gold and crystal figure, supported by her maids of honour.

After the solemn ceremony of consecration, the queen, serenely bearing the crown of priceless gems, rode through the streets of London, where she received the full-throated acclaim of her people.

Prince Charles did his mother proud. His only lapse came after the crown was placed on her head and his father advanced to the altar for communion. 'The blond darling of England' acted like a four-year-old. He sucked his thumb.

His grandmother, the Queen Mother, quickly whispered something to him and his royal dignity returned.

Throughout the Commonwealth, celebrations were held to commemorate the occasion, and Hong Kong was no exception.

Ceremonial parades involving members of the three arms of Her Majesty's armed forces stationed in Hong Kong were held simultaneously - in Statue Square, on the parade ground on Gun Club Hill, and at Sek Kong and San Wai in the New Territories - to open the colony's official celebration of Coronation Day.

The New Territories resounded with the sound of fireworks, drums and symbols, of dragon and unicorn dancing and shrill Chinese opera, as practically every town and village did its best to join in.

On the eve of her crowning, Britain's young queen saluted the new Elizabethan age with a shower of honours for those who represented its adventure, achievement and spirit.

Twenty Hong Kong residents were among the recipients of honours and awards, which her the queen was 'graciously pleased to approve'.

Days before the coronation, there was a holiday mood in London, as thousands flocked to the capital to see the sights and savour the spirit of happiness that prevailed as the great day drew near.

The Daily Mail said: 'Never has the current of national unity run stronger. 'Never in this land of ours has there been a livelier, a friendlier, or more hopeful air as the great day draws close.'

Britain conquered Everest in the Himalayas when Edmund Hillary, a 34-year-old New Zealander, and sherpa Tenzing Norgay planted the Union Jack atop the world's highest mountain on Friday, May 29.

One of the last - but perhaps greatest - of nature's challenges was conquered by the British expedition on the eve of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

They had set out from the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, on March 10.

The queen was told of the success on the eve of her coronation.

The news electrified the tens of thousands lining the route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

Half an hour before she left the palace for her coronation, the queen sent a telegram conveying her warmest congratulations to the expedition.