Coronations don’t tend to happen very often. For most of us, in fact, this is the first one we’ll experience in our lifetime, with the last stretching back to 1953 when Queen Elizabeth II took to the throne.
Charles III’s Coronation takes place tomorrow (May 6), almost eight months since the passing of his mother in September last year, and sees him become the 40th Monarch of the country since 1066. It also marks the first time since the days of King Edward VII that the Coronation has taken place on a weekend.
Celebrations are taking place across the country, but the capital city of London can expect to be particularly crammed with jubilance as the royal procession makes its way through the streets.
What day is the Coronation and when is the bank holiday?
The Coronation of King Charles III (or the Corry Nash, as some have taken to calling it) takes place on Saturday, May 6, with the following Monday (May 8) being used as a bank holiday. It marks the second year running that the UK has enjoyed an extra bank holiday, after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations were held between June 2 – June 5, 2022.
Where is the Coronation taking place?
There is a 1.3-mile procession to and from the Coronation, which begins at Buckingham Palace. In keeping with tradition, the Coronation and crowning of King Charles III will be carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey.
Can I attend the Coronation?
Unless you’re one of the approximately 2,000 people that hold an invite into the doors of Westminster Abbey. Following the procession, the ceremony will kick off at around 11am tomorrow morning, so be sure to tune into the live screening by the BBC, Sky, and ITV on your television, or make it to your vantage point in London.
Where can I watch the Coronation?
As mentioned, it’s being screened across the main channels so it won’t be difficult to catch all the action as it unfolds. This also means plenty of pubs and venues will be screening the venue across London and the nation.
Perhaps the most grandiose way of watching in the capital (aside from being inside Westminster Abbey, of course) is taking place in Hyde Park, with a giant screening set up with deckchairs for the public to watch along. If you’re heading down, the forecast for tomorrow is grey skies and rain, so remember your umbrellas.
What is the procession route and how can I watch it?
The procession will begin at approximately 10:20am travel down The Mall by way of Admiralty Arch, before taking to the south side of Trafalgar Square and heading along Whitehall and Parliament Street before hitting Parliament Square to Broadgate Sanctuary and arriving at Westminster Abbey. King Charles III and Queen Consort are due to arrive at 11am for the service to begin.
A video by the Department for Culture details the route of the procession.
Order of the day for the Coronation of King Charles III
6am – Viewing areas for the procession open to the public.
9am – Seating begins in Westminster Abbey
10:20am – Charles and Camilla set off from Buckingham Palace on the procession towards Westminster Abbey.
11am – Coronation service begins with Charles being proclaimed King, and those in attendance invited to sing the National Anthem before the Archbishop of Canterbury performs the ceremony. A smaller service will follow for Camilla who will also be crowned and enthroned.
1pm – Route back to Buckingham Palace begins.
1:45pm – The King and Queen are given the Royal Salute at Buckingham Palace garden’s west terrace.
2:15pm – This is when the royal flypast is scheduled, though reports suggest there is a danger of this being delayed or cancelled due to the forecast of heavy rain.
Thousands are expected to line the streets along the procession routes in London, and there is no ticketing for spaces, so standing spots along the route are set to fill up fast.
When is the Coronation concert?
This takes place on Sunday, May 7 at Windsor Castle, and those who were successful in the ballot earlier in the year will be in attendance. Performers at the concert include Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Take That.
Further information about the Coronation weekend can be found on Gov.UK.