The red-and-white bunting draped from the railings of 'Iolani Palace drew hundreds of visitors, residents and royalty this afternoon in honor of the 125th anniversary of the coronation of King David Kalakaua.

The bandstand was draped in lei and two replica thrones were brought out for the event, which included direct descendents of Kalakaua — Abigail and David Kawanananakoa — re-enacting the coronation ceremony.

"We're just tourists," said Jil Cornaby, who was making a stop on a tour of the Capitol district this afternoon. "We're hoping to see the inside of the palace today."

After the coronation ceremony, a line of people waiting to get a free tour of the only palace in the United States stretched from King Street to Richards Street. The first floor and the basement of the palace was opened to the public.

Doris Gagnon, of Ottawa, Canada, who comes to Hawaii every year, sat under a tree to watch the coronation ceremony and to take a gander at the ring Kalakaua wore for his coronation 125 years ago, along with two other jewels from the king's reign never before viewed in public.

"I love history," Gagnon said. "Everywhere I've traveled — around the world — I stop to see royal palaces and parliaments. We love the history of Hawaii and the sense of place."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.