Canadian support for royals may have slumped, but the scenes in London tell a different story

Support for the monarchy is at its lowest point in a generation as Canadians continue to digest the passing last September of the long-reigning Queen Elizabeth and weigh the institution's future with King Charles on the throne.

But the sizable Canadian contingent at the King's coronation in London on Saturday suggests there are still many faithful followers of the thousand year-old institution.

Some Canadian revellers camped out for days to catch a glimpse of the country's new head of state and Queen Camilla.

Daniel Guenther of Winnipeg was part of a "coronation tour" with 30 other Canadian monarchists. The group travelled throughout the U.K. over the past week, with the coronation the most important stop.

"I just felt it was a wonderful opportunity to come over here and represent Canada on the ground. It was so heart-warming to see so many Canadians — it was a large contingent, walking around, exchanging pins, sharing a moment," he said.

"Anecdotally, I would say this was the largest contingent outside the U.K. There were just a ton of Canadian flags out there," Guenther said.

Asked why he made the trek and paid handsomely for the travel, Guenther said he wanted to support the King — a man who most Canadians don't know well, he said.

Guenther said Charles's comparatively poor poll numbers can turn around in time.

"There's been some discussion about the future of the monarchy, but just seeing the number of Canadians here who were engaged — and looking at supportive messages from people back home — I think it's been understated just how excited people are for this," he said.

"It's going to take time for Canadians to get to know King Charles, and when they do, I think they'll be pleasantly surprised."

The Canadian presence was particularly strong in the viewing areas in Hyde Park — an overflow area to accommodate the crushing crowds who couldn't find a spot along the coronation procession route.

Those Canadians who were lucky enough to witness the gilded carriage as it rolled through central London saw dozens of Canadian Armed Forces personnel and the RCMP Musical Ride usher King Charles and Queen Camilla from their investiture at Westminster Abbey.

The RCMP recently gave the King a mare, Noble. He'll ride the horse during Trooping the Colour, an annual celebration to mark the monarch's birthday — continuing a long-standing tradition of Canadian equine gifts to the sovereign.

Jessica and Andrew Matthews of Toronto were among those who braved the wet London weather on Saturday to witness history.