As the country prepares for the coronation of a new monarch, the Echo remembers how Hampshire celebrated during the last coronation, that of Queen Elizabeth II 70 years ago.
Southampton witnessed 2,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen, as well as members of civil and voluntary organisations as they marched through the town to the sounds of four bands, as Sotonians waved them on.
The streets were awash with vivid colour as children waved their flags and streamers in the streets as they clapped and cheered.
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The day saw more than 20 million people gather in London to watch the newly-crowned Queen appear on Buckingham Palace's balcony accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, four-year-old Prince Charles, and baby Princess Anne.
Reports in the Southern Daily Echo from June 1953 reflect the incredible level of excitement which gripped the nation. The paper even had to apologize to readers for not being able to attend more than 60 coronation parties.
The Daily Echo printed a list - "to explain that we just CANNOT attend all coronation parties" - and, in an attempt not to raise hopes, suggested that "we might manage one or two".
Southampton's streets came alive with parties for children, who enjoyed tea and coronation cake, and participated in fancy dress competitions from Shirley to Northam and Eling,
while nearly 200 babies were entered into the coronation baby show organised by the Woolston and District Carnival and Regatta Association at Itchen Grammar School.
The partying continued long into the early hours of the following day in Winchester, as "the city went gayer than at any time within living memory". On Coronation Day the city staged a carnival like no other, with merrymakers descending on the Broadway from all parts of Winchester and the surrounding villages to dance in the street.
Newport was the focus for celebrations on the Isle of Wight, with several thousand packing St James's Square for an open-air dance, while a huge crowd went to Church Litten for a football tournament organised by Newport FC. There were tea parties and games for the 2,700 children in the borough, while the biggest single party was in Mountjoy, where 700 children enjoyed sports activities and tea.
Among other ways people in the south celebrated were a gala coronation dance in the pavilion at Southampton's Royal Pier on Coronation Day itself, a coronation ball at the Royal Pier on June 5, a Coronation ball at Southampton Guildhall, and a coronation funfair at the Royal Pier recreation ground.
More than 2,000 people braved grey skies and cold winds on Wednesday, June 3 to welcome movie legend Joan Collins - then "the young star of Turn the Key Softly" - to Watts Park for Southampton's coronation garden party with the band of the Coldstream Guards.
In the south's very own royal city of Winchester, people of all generations partied like they'd never partied before to welcome young Elizabeth II to the throne.
"Bishop's Waltham rang with gaiety and laughter," reported the Southern Daily Echo, recalling the great day - Tuesday, June 2, 1953 - when the 27-year-old princess became Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
And now, 70 years later, we look forward to the land ringing with gaiety and laughter once more as we witness the crowing of a new king and usher in a new era for Britain.
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