A SWINDON woman crowned as the town's 'Coronation Queen' when Elizabeth II took the throne has paid tribute to the monarch.

Marion Grady fondly remembers the day she was paraded through Pinehurst on a decorated wheelbarrow while wearing a sparkling crown on the day of the Queen's coronation in June 1953.

Ever since then, the great-grandmother has followed Her Majesty's reign closely and was devastated at the news of her death on Thursday.

And as King Charles III was formally proclaimed as the country's new King on Saturday, she was receiving congratulatory calls from loved ones on her 80th birthday.

Marion said: "I've been very tearful for the last few days, it's been very sad and it will take time for me to get over it, she was a lovely lady.

"I don't watch the TV much but when I put it on, the Queen's children were going to Balmoral and I thought 'that's it, she's dying, it must be serious'.

"We knew it was going to happen but not that quickly - she seemed to be in good spirits when she met the new prime minister.

"I adored her and everything she did for the country and all the people she helped. She will always be my Queen."

Swindon Advertiser: Marion Grady and Michael Quinn on June 2 1953Marion Grady and Michael Quinn on June 2 1953 (Image: Newsquest)

Marion was joined by a young boy called Michael Quinn on the day of her coronation.

She then moved to Walcot has regularlyu received royalty-themed trinkets -like a small gold chariot, saucers and mugs over the years. Her nostalgic photos are on display in a nearby community centre.

Her coronation crown has crumbled over the years but she received a tiara on the same day which still fits and shines as good as new.

She dressed up in the full red white and blue to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee three months ago and is now coming to terms with outliving another monarch.

Marion added: "That's my reign gone. I'm gutted. It's going to be very strange.

"I've had one king already - George - and I hope Charles carries on like his mother. We'll wait and see.

"It's uncanny that he became king on my birthday. My children are throwing me a party so I'm trying to put sad thoughts out of my mind.

"One thing that did give me some comfort was the rainbow in the sky over Windsor Castle when she died. That was her spirit, she's up there with Philip now and she's happy."