Coronation Girls

Directed by Douglas Arrowsmith

A story about being 17 again

In the summer of 1953, 50 young women from rural Canada embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to London for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Sponsored by Garfield Weston, they sailed across the Atlantic aboard The Empress of France, eager to witness Princess Elizabeth ascend to the throne as their Queen. Using rare archival footage, Coronation Girls begins with the excitement of their original journey, highlighting the youthful optimism and adventure of that summer. The film follows the women decades later as they reunite and return to London to retrace their steps, revisit iconic landmarks, and reflect on how the experience shaped their lives.