BAS celebrates the Coronation

9 May, 2023 Rothera, RRS Sir David Attenborough

This weekend, BAS staff in Antarctica and on board RRS Sir David Attenborough celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III.

On the RRS Sir David Attenborough

RRS Sir David Attenborough spent the Coronation weekend in the Falkland Islands, its last port call before the ship does the three-and-a-half week journey North to the UK. The ship was dressed for the occasion with flags streaming over the heli- and aft-deck. The chefs prepared a Coronation brunch and a Royal Buffet in the afternoon. Some of the crew and passengers streamed the Coronation in the ship’s Lounge.

A large red ship against a blue sky
Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough is dressed in her flags to celebrate the Coronation

 

This picture looks out over the helideck of a ship. There are a line of flags with different colours and patterns that are streaming in the wind over the helideck
The ships flags stream over the helideck.

 

A group of people sitting at a table full of food
The SDA chefs prepared a Royal Buffet to celebrate the Coronation

 

A group of people sitting around a living room
Some of the RRS Sir David Attenborough team watch the Coronation on board the ship

 

A woman wearing a striped apron stands next to a table covered in cakes. She is cutting a cake.
Chef Vicky Stone cuts the Victoria Sponge, a critical part of the Royal Buffet!

 

At Rothera Research Station

In Rothera, the team got up at 3am to watch the Coronation live – Rothera is four hours behind the UK. After the Coronation some of the team headed out for a day of skiing and snowboarding.

A group of five people dressed in ski clothes stand in the snow holding a Union Jack flag. There is water and a snowy mountain behind them.
The wintering team at Rothera Research Station took the union flag on a celebratory ski trip. Photo: Pryce Shroff, BAS

 

A wide, open Antarctic valley, full of snow and looking down to the sea. Three figures are visible ski treking up the hill in the distance.
The wintering team at Rothera Research Station took the union flag on a celebratory ski trip. Photo: Pryce Shroff, BAS