Bearskins but no drones: did coronation parade reflect modern UK military?

Observers split on whether armed forces’ high-profile ceremonial role could help or hinder their image

The British military deployed 9,000 personnel in ceremonial and supporting duties on Saturday’s coronation, nearly 5% of all the UK armed forces, in the largest display of official pageantry for more than 70 years.

But the carefully choreographed effort, eight months in the planning, comes at a time when recruitment is falling and the image projected by the army on parade is, some observers say, far removed from the needs of the modern military.