The first coronation of a new Monarch since June 2, 1953 is set to take place next year, with the ceremony for King Charles III set for May 6.
It is, however, ‘highly unlikely’ that the occasion will be marked by a bank holiday. Last month, Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96, and the funeral for the longest-reigning Monarch in Britain’s history was a public holiday. An extra bank holiday was also observed in June to honour the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Palace have not ruled out an extra bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III, but since it has been confirmed for Saturday, May 6, a day would need to be taken during the week. This is a break from tradition, with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II taking place on a Tuesday.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that the prospect of an extra bank holiday has generated an ‘issue’ within the Government planning over the economy. One alternative discussed has been moving one of the two May bank holidays to a different day to mark the occasion.
King Charles’ coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey, eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It is traditional for an appropriate amount of time between the death of a Monarch and the coronation of the proceeding figure to be left. Queen Elizabeth II took the throne on February 6, 1952, but her coronation ceremony did not take place until almost 16 months after the death of her father, King George VI.
According to The Mirror, it has been agreed by ministers that it is ‘highly unlikely’ that Britain will be granted a bank holiday to mark the coronation of King Charles III.