The best of British pomp and pageantry was on display for the world to see on Saturday – in London, at least.

Stood just a few feet away from the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, I had a front row seat to history as the King and Queen, the wider Royal Family, politicians and celebrities made their entrance for the Coronation.

A lot of what happened in front of my eyes was as predictable as the British weather – which was miserable, to put it simply – huge crowds, devotion, patriotism and awe-inspiring events ensured for a few hours on a spring Saturday, the UK was the envy of the world.

Scaled-down in comparison to Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Coronation, yes. But the historic occasion for King Charles III echoed much of what we have come to expect from major royal events.

What was less expected were the modern twists… less-senior members of the Royal Family arriving on Westway coaches, one Coronation guest grabbing a selfie with Lionel Richie and a host of excitable American broadcasters popping Champagne corks at the crowning moment.

The wet streets of London were packed with adoring flag-waving supporters. The scenes of which will have been mirrored across the country, but sadly for many was in stark contrast to Oxford.

Watching the majesty of the occasion unfold before me, I could not help but think of what was happening back at home.

On Friday, I’d had the privilege to be invited to a Coronation Service of Celebration at Christ Church Cathedral. There I spoke to many people from different backgrounds. One exclaimed ‘Oxford is perfect for the big occasion’. Whilst others were disappointed – even enraged – by the lack of patriotism in our streets. Where was the bunting, or any signs of the historic occasion?

The scenes at Westminster Abbey were a world away from anything I had ever experienced and it celebrated everything that was great about this country.

Street parties and village greens aside, the minimalist effort on High Streets in Oxfordshire was disappointing.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and we live in a country where we can debate the importance of a Royal Family and extravagant occasions amid a cost of living crisis, but it’s a dark day when we lose all sense of national pride.