It is of course London’s rich pageant of people that will give the Coronation real meaning. Richard Godwin joins great British photographer Martin Parr to gauge the mood of the city’s finest.

Martin Parr, the acclaimed British photographer, is renowned for his quick, candid style of portraiture, often capturing the essence of British life in its most unvarnished form. Despite health challenges, including recovering from cancer treatment in 2021, Parr continues his mission to document the vibrancy and diversity of British society. In his latest work, Parr turned his lens to the atmosphere in London in the lead-up to the Coronation of King Charles III, one of the city’s largest celebrations since the 2012 Olympics.

The project features a series of portraits and interviews with Londoners from various walks of life, each sharing their unique perspectives on the Coronation and life in the city. Parr’s images reflect not only the diversity of London but the common thread of community and national pride that emerged as people looked towards the royal event.

From punk rocker Anderson Garcia Rodrigues in Camden to taxi driver Lisa Seymour in Paddington, each subject expresses their connection to London and its culture in their own way. While some, like La La Joy, a Uroco Kimono seller from Spitalfields, see the Coronation as part of their larger experience of London’s cosmopolitan identity, others like Tracey Spencer, a district line controller, offer a more pragmatic view, choosing to watch the ceremony at home with friends rather than partake in the crowded festivities.

The diversity of the city is a consistent theme in Parr’s work, with many of his subjects praising London’s mix of cultures and communities. It’s a sentiment echoed in Parr’s own comments, noting how the city’s many layers make it an endlessly fascinating subject for his photography.

Despite the divisive moments of Brexit and the pandemic, the Coronation appears to have offered a rare opportunity for collective celebration, with Londoners from all backgrounds coming together to acknowledge the event. “I was just amazed that everyone was happy to hold the Union Jack,” Parr observes, highlighting the sense of unity that seemed to pervade the capital in the run-up to the Coronation.

Parr’s photos and interviews will be on display at Photo London, Somerset House, from 11-14 May, providing a rare glimpse into the soul of London on the eve of a historic royal moment.