Kirsty Young shares royal moment that ‘hit me like a ton of bricks’

Kirsty Young has spoken of the moments during the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II that struck her the most.

The broadcaster, who will be taking the helm for the BBC’s coverage of King Charles’s Coronation admitted returning to broadcasting was “daunting”.

Kirsty said she “felt like someone who hadn’t done the school run for four years facing Brands Hatch” when she was asked to return to the screen.

But the muscle memory kicked in and she was able to lead the coverage of the Platinum Jubilee and the late Queen’s funeral.

Looking back on the funeral, Kirsty says it was the unexpected moments that struck her the most.

Read more: Pubs set for £120million boost from bumper Coronation weekend

“When the Imperial Crown and all the state regalia was removed from the Queen’s coffin, and she was simply a woman who had passed away being buried, that moment hit me like a ton of bricks,” she told Radio Times.

Kirsty will take to the screens once again for the Coronation and will set up base in a studio at Buckingham Palace.

She said: “I can’t predict which moment of the coronation will [affect me most].

“I know that the sight of thousands of troops moving with absolute precision through London will carry its own special punch.”

“I think the idea that we are entering a different era is a very powerful one.”

For the funeral, she sat alongside the iconic David Dimbleby, who will not join her for the coronation.

Kirsty says: “[David] said to me that he has never covered an event and not had significant nerves beforehand and that genuinely made me feel better.

“Once I’m on air I’m nerve-free, but the weeks before are the worst bit.”

Instead, Kirsty will lead the coverage with the likes of JJ Chalmers, Anita Rani, and Clare Balding joining throughout the day.

“I think the idea that we are entering a different era is a very powerful one.”
For the funeral, she sat alongside the iconic David Dimbleby, who will not join her for the coronation.
Kirsty says: “[David] said to me that he has never covered an event and not had significant nerves beforehand and that genuinely made me feel better.
“Once I’m on air I’m nerve-free, but the weeks before are the worst bit.”
Instead, Kirsty will lead the coverage with the likes of JJ Chalmers, Anita Rani, and Clare Balding joining throughout the day.

Kirsty’s hosting duties will not end with Saturday’s coronation as she will also return to anchor the special live broadcast of the Coronation Concert.

The event will see a range of top performers including Katy Perry and Lionel Richie perform in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The line-up will also include Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer-songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench, with more acts yet to be announced.

It will be broadcast in front of a crowd of 20,000 and shown on TV and radio for those celebrating at home.

Continuing the celebrations, the country will enjoy an extra bank holiday on May 8 in honour of the coronation.

Read the full interview with Kirsty Young in this week’s Radio Times, out now.