Скачать или смотреть Royal memorabilia a hit as UK coronation nears

(2 May 2023)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4432284

ASSOCIATED PRESS
London - 1 May 2023
1. Various of solar powered dancing King Charles III toys in shop window
HEADLINE: Royal memorabilia a hit as UK coronation nears
2. Close on souvenir plate of King Charles III
ANNOTATION: Tourists and fans of the British royal family packed souvenir shops in London to buy special edition King Charles III memorabilia.
3. People outside souvenir shop, Majestic Gifts
4. Sales clerk Shafiq Afzle at the counter
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Shafiq Afzle, sales clerk at Majestic Gifts shop:
"The best-seller at the moment is the dancing King Charles because of the coronation. This one, we top up at least three to four times a day because it's going very fast, and we don't have the space to keep it. So, we top it up very quickly."
6. King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II solar-powered toys
ANNOTATION: The UK is preparing for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6th.
7. Close on King Charles III solar-powered toy
8. Various of people inside memorabilia shop
ANNOTATION: Officials have high hopes that the coronation will provide a vital boost to the country’s tourism industry, still reeling from the COVID-19 shutdowns.
9. Wide of Buckingham Palace Shop shopfront
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jan Schaefer, tourist from Florida, US: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
"I think it's very exciting, very exciting to be here. Unfortunately, I won't be here on Saturday, but we're here to see all the preparation and (we) went to the palace this morning and watched the changing of the guards on the horses and just wanted all this memorabilia. You know, I had to get one of these booklets because I don't think this is ever going to happen again in my lifetime. So, it's fun being part of the history."
11. Tote bags with Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III emblazoned on them in shop window
12. Close pan from tote bag with Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III tote bag
ANNOTATION: The coronation is scheduled to attract thousands of fans and tourist from across the world, eager to witness a once in a lifetime event.
STORYLINE:
Tourists and fans of the British royal family packed London souvenir shops on Monday, rushing to buy special edition King Charles III memorabilia as the UK prepares for the monarch's coronation.

A solar-powered ‘dancing king’ toy was the best seller in memorabilia shops near Buckingham Palace.

The coronation is luring royal enthusiasts fascinated by the ceremonial spectacle and drama of the monarchy.

But it is also attracting the attention of tourists who were unaware of the upcoming historical event, but nonetheless eager to bring back a souvenir of British history.

Official and unofficial merchandise abounds at shops in tourist areas, with Charles' likeness crudely emblazoned on T-Shirts, plates, tote bags, pens, cups, and egg carriers.

Even more items depict his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September after 70 years on the throne, on everything from mugs to bobblehead figures.

“I had to get one of these booklets because I don't think this is ever going to happen again in my lifetime. So, it's fun being part of the history," said Jan Schaefer, a tourist from Florida.

The U.K. received some 29.7 million visits last year, still nearly a third below 2019.

Officials have high hopes that the coronation will provide a vital boost to the country’s tourism industry, still reeling from two years of COVID-19 shutdowns.


AP video shot by Srdjan Nedeljkovic



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