The Crowning of Everest

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1953 Britain prepares to crown a new Queen and waits to hear if Everest has been conquered

It is 1953, and Britain is preparing to crown its young Queen, Elizabeth II. The nation is also poised to hear news from Mount Everest. Has the British team made it to the top?

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Crowning of Everest 

The Crowning of Everest: The Crowning Glory

The Crowning Glory

BBC Radio 4 - The Crowning of Everest, The Crowning Glory

News of the conquest of Everest reaches London on Coronation Day.

On 2 June 1953, Coronation Day, news reaches London that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay have been successful in reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

2 June 1953.  As the crowds line the streets to see their new Queen crowned, the news that Everest has been conquered is relayed over loudspeaker and adds to the excitement of the day. The Times prints its headline - the scoop delivered in secret code from the mountain. 

Edmund Hillary is knighted while the press clamour to know who was first to the summit.  

No better news could have reached Britain on the day of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  It was a magical day that brought together a young Queen, her Commonwealth and her people in celebration. 

Presenter: Wade Davis
Series producer: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham
Sound design: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Tara McDermott
Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

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