Writing in his diaries in 1953, Cecil Beaton reflected on what had been a hellish day photographing the Queen’s coronation. “The bulk of my pictures had been a smash and grab affair,” he admitted. “I couldn’t imagine they would be successful. Not only was I depressed, but rather alarmed. If the results weren’t sensationally good, the Press would attack me bitterly for having failed with such a fine opportunity. […] Had I misused the trust?”