A Newtown woman is preparing for a right royal event when she attends the coronation of King Charles on Saturday.
Violet McLellan will be seated alongside celebrities, royals and dignitaries from across the world for the event at Westminster Abbey in London on 6 May 6 when King Charles is set to be crowned.
Violet is one of just 450 British Empire Medallists (BEM) that have been invited to the historic event as community and charity representatives. Violet was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021 in recognition for her work with adults with learning difficulties.
Violet is Assistant Day Services Manager at Castell Y Dial in Newtown where she has worked for nearly 20 years. She has over 30 years’ service with Powys County Council working in social care.
Violet is still pinching herself at receiving the much sought-after invitation. She said: “I’m really shocked! But I’m looking forward to the service and all the pomp and ceremony of being part of something so big.
“It’s going to be amazing to be there in person for what will be a little piece of history. And in years to come I can say I was there! Something I can’t wait to tell my baby grandson when he’s older.”
Colleagues and service users at Castell-Y-Dail have also been getting into the spirit of the occasion, putting up crown decorations and hoping to catch a glimpse of Violet on the television.
Violet added: “It’s wonderful to share the excitement with our service users. They are the reason I had the honour in the first place, so it’s all about them.”