I'm so sad that they don't have the ceremony any more. It was one of the highlights of the trip we took with our grandson when he was only five. That was ten years ago!
He so wanted to be chosen to pull out the sword. We agreed to watch the ceremony, but didn't want him to be disappointed if he wasn't chosen. So, we kept telling him that he has a good chance of being chosen, but it wasn't guaranteed. Merlin could pick another child. Nope. He wasn't going to be dissuaded. He was going to be picked.
Merlin came out and started the ceremony and he chose our grandson! DGS was just as proud and happy as he could be! It was amazing. I got all teary-eyed (still do whenever I think about it). I don't know how they did it, but it seemed like they just knew DGS wanted to be chosen. Who knows? Maybe it really was magic.
In any case, I know neither of us will ever forget it. I made sure to ask the CM who was accompanying Merlin to thank him for choosing DGS. It really did mean a lot. Of course, now he's 15 and wouldn't be caught dead looking like he was enjoying himself, much less take part in a sword ceremony! LOL! Teenagers!