Coronation of King Charles III: Everything you need to know

    The Coronation of King Charles III took place on Saturday 6 May 2023. Here’s our guide to Coronation events happening over the next few weeks…

    The coronation of King Charles III took place on Saturday 6 May 2023. Read our guide to the day’s events and some particular highlights, below:

    Discover Britain

    The countdown to the coronation is on…

    Crowning of the King: Your ultimate coronation keepsake

    From the team behind our sister title BRITAIN Magazine, Crowning of the King isa glossy new 116-page souvenir of the coronation of King Charles III, chronicles the traditions and rituals woven into a thousand years of coronations. Colourful, in-depth features follow King Charles from his childhood years to his role as Prince of Wales, his family life, his interests, and the ceremony and pageantry of his upcoming coronation.

    Crowning of the King is the ultimate Coronation keepsake. Get yours now here.

    Buckingham Palace have released an official Coronation Emblem. Paying tribute to the King’s love of the natural word it includes the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales, and the shamrock of Northern Ireland. The flowers are displayed in the shape of the St Edward’s Crown.

    You can read more about the long history of the coronation ceremony, in our new issue (out Friday 3 March) available to buy here. 

    coronation of King Charles III
    The future King Charles III and his wife, now Queen Camilla, at the State Opening of Parliament in 2016. Crediy: Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty Image.

    Celebrating the coronation of King Charles III

    Although the official Coronation celebrations are over, there is still plenty happening over the coming weeks and months for you to join in with. Here’s our guide to the best, up and down the country:

    coronation of King Charles III
    Queen Elizabeth II making her way down
    the nave of Westminster Abbey flanked by her Maids of Honour, after her coronation ceremony on
    2 June 1953. Credit: Mary Evans Picture Library 2015

    Coronation events around the country

    There are plenty of events happening up and down the country over the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend that you can join in too.

    Coronation celebrations in Windsor

    Celebrate the King’s coronation in Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world, and one of the official residences of His Majesty The King. Windsor played a pivotal role in the Coronation celebrations, most notably with its role as the backdrop for the Coronation Concert, which brought together stars from around the globe.

    Find out about celebrations in the town, here. 

    The Tower of London Crown Jewels display

    The Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels for nearly 400 years, is set to transform its Jewel House with a new display exploring the stories and history of the world-famous jewels. The exhibition will explore the origins of some of the objects for the very first time, including the glittering ‘Black Prince’s Ruby’ and how they have passed from crown to crown, as well as objects displaying the pageantry of the Coronation traditions, including an exquisite court suit worn at the Coronation of George IV.

    A photograph of the Jewel House in the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept

    The exhibition will open on 26 May 2023, shortly after the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, putting into context the rich and fascinating history of this magnificent and highly significant royal collection. Find out more here.

    Blenheim Palace Coronation exhibition

    Oxfordshire’s  Blenheim Palace, which has been the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, has announced its Royal Connections exhibition (until 30 July), celebrating its centuries-old relationship with the monarchy and displaying personal items from royal weddings, coronations and holidays. The crowning glory will be an ornate cap, on display for the first time, and worn by Queen Anne who funded the construction of Blenheim as a reward for John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough. Find out more here. 

    A Right Royal Coronation Celebration at Glenapp Castle

    Glenapp Castle hotel in Ayrshire, Scotland has announced ‘A Right Royal Coronation Celebration’ package to honour the King’s Coronation.

    The package will be available throughout May and includes a two-night stay in one of the Castle’s luxurious bedrooms, along with a delicious three course dinner each evening. Guests can also take part in a Tree Planting Ceremony in the Castle’s gardens, and if a they share King Charles’ name, they will be treated to a complimentary bottle of champagne in-room.

    The hotel is also offering art lessons with the Castle’s inhouse artist, Allan McNally, since King Charles is an avid painter. And there is a special coronation picnic hamper available to purchase for guests to enjoy on or off the Estate.

    £25.00 of every stay will be donated to the King’s own charity, The Prince’s Trust.

    Book now here. 

    Coronation trips with disabled-friendly travel specialist, Limitless Travel

    Disabled-friendly travel specialist, Limitless Travel, will be celebrating King Charles’ Coronation this year with a range of accessible trips to a number of Royal residences across the UK including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

    Trips include a Royal Tour taking in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court departing in July from £1,299 for a 5 day trip, find out more here. 

    A Scotland Explorer trip taking in the Royal Yacht Britannia and Holyrood with departures in June, July and September from £1,699 for a 6 day itinerary. Find out more here. 

    Scottish Highlands Experience which includes an excursion to Balmoral Castle departing in September from £1,999 for a 6 day trip. Find out more here. 

    The Coronation Concierge at PoB Hotels

    PoB Hotels have launched The Coronation Concierge, a special service dedicated to guide guests to book their perfect Coronation trip. Each hotel that the Concierge suggests has a strong Royal link, whether it has been visited by King Charles III, or has a historic connection to the monarchy.

    Available until 31st May, the Coronation Concierge will be able to design a specific itinerary based on the desires of each guest, and that might be raising a glass to the King  at the only hotel in London given the Royal Warrant, The Goring, or following in the King’s footsteps on his favourite walks through the beautiful Scottish Highlands, or indulging in the King’s favourite sandwiches at a special Coronation Champagne Afternoon Tea.

    Find out more here. 

    Grimsthorpe Castle Coronation exhibition

    Lincolnshire’s beautiful Grimsthorpe Castle, which has been the home of the de Eresby family since 1516 will be holding a special exhibition showcasing exceptional items of coronation costume and furnishings, from Grimsthorpe’s historic collection, to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. From seventeenth-century ceremonies to the crowning of Elizabeth II in 1953, this exhibition will follow the key role of the Willoughby de Eresby family through 400 years of English coronations.

    The highlight of the exhibition will be the Norman Hartnell dress and headdress worn by Lady Jane Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby as Maid of Honour to Elizabeth II in 1953.

    The exhibition will run from 30 March – 19 July 2023. Find out more here.

    Coronation podcast from Extraordinary Stories of Britain

    Podcast series Extraordinary Stories of Britain have produced a very special coronation episode, which is available to listen to now.

    The special episode will tell the story of coronation: from babbling bishops to falling dukes, spurned queens to medieval murders, stolen stones to dazzling diamonds, from belly-busting banquets to mighty majesty.

    Listen to it here.

    A coronation celebration on board Brunel’s SS Great Britain

    On selected dates throughout the summer, Brunel’s SS Great Britain will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III with a royal afternoon tea experience. Over the years, the ship has played host to a series of royal visitors, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who stepped aboard on 26 July 1985. 

    Visitors will be able to enjoy high tea like a royal, with a delicious selection of savouries and desserts served on the world’s first great ocean liner. What better way to crown a new king?

    Find out more here. 

    Celebrate the Coronation with afternoon tea at Gleneagles

    King Charles III’s Coronation will be a historic moment for Scotland, a country much adored by the royal family, particularly the King’s late mother Queen Elizabeth II, and Perthshire’s iconic hotel Gleneagles will be the perfect place to celebrate.

    Available weekly Fri-Mon from 12:30-15:30, and priced at £79 per person, the Gleneagles Coronation Afternoon Tea in the luxurious Glendevon room will be a grand and opulent way to celebrate.

    Find out more here. 

    Enjoy a royal stay at The Adria in London

    Experience royal celebrations fit for a King and Queen at The Adria in South Kensington, perfectly situated in the heart of London’s Royal Borough. Guests of the hotel can celebrate the occasion by raising a glass to our new King with an expertly crafted Harrods picnic hamper and embark on a guided walking tour round the royal borough with local guides to delve into the rich history.

    Find out more here.

    Crowns and Coronets Exhibition at Alnwick Castle

    In celebration of the coronation of the Coronation, a new exhibition entitled Crowns and Coronets – Coronations and the Percy family through time has opened at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. The new exhibits feature items that date back over 500 years and includes an eyewitness account of the coronation of King Richard III and Queen Anne in 1483.

    The exhibition is included in the price of entry to Alnwick Castle.

    Find out more here.

    Coronation Limited Edition China

    Looking for the perfect coronation keepsake, or gift? On The Chelsea Magazine Company gift shop we are offering a beautiful collection of limited edition handmade celebratory coronation Susan Rose China, including mugs, tankards, and even a coronation bauble with a crowned silhouette of King Charles III.

    The perfect way to celebrate the crowning of our new King and Queen Consort.

    Get yours here. 

    Read more:

    Elizabeth I: The Queen’s life in buildings

    The Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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