Coronation of King Charles III: Everything you need to know
As the nation prepares for the coronation of King Charles III, we explain what you can expect from the historic ceremony, and how you can join in the celebrations
The coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023. The celebrations will continue all weekend, with Monday 8 May an official Bank Holiday.
We’ll update this page with more information and events as we get closer to the big day, so keep checking back for updates!
What can we expect from the coronation of King Charles III?
Buckingham Palace have said that the coronation of King Charles III will be ”rooted in longstanding tradition and pageantry,” but the ceremony will also ”reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future.” Though we do not yet know what exactly, it has been hinted that some elements of the ceremony will change.
As the coronation is still regarded as a “solemn religious ceremony”, we can expect the Crown Jewels to play a significant role in events, particularly items such as the gold Sovereign’s Orb, which represents the Christian world.
The Queen Consort, Camilla, will be crowned on the same day, in what Buckingham Palace describes as a “similar but simpler ceremony” and she will be crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.
You can read more about the long history of the coronation ceremony, and what to expect from the coronation of King Charles III, in our new issue (out Friday 3 March) available to buy here.
Celebrating the coronation of King Charles III
King Charles III’s coronation celebrations will take place from 6-8 May, here we outline how you can join in with the festivities.
Saturday 6 May
Official Coronation of King Charles III
It’s understood that the Coronation Service will take place on the morning of Saturday, 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey.
The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in a procession from Buckingham Palace known as ‘The King’s Procession’. After the coronation, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’, during which they will be joined by other members of the Royal Family.
The King and The Queen Consort, and other members of the Royal Family, will then appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.
Sunday 7 May
Coronation Concert
This is the day of the special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, which will be broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios.
Thousands of free pairs of tickets were released via public ballot and those who weren’t lucky enough to get tickets will be able to watch at lots of special screenings throughout the UK, where they can participate in the ‘Lighting up the Nation’ centrepiece of the concert in which iconic locations across the UK will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. There will also be lots of opportunities to watch the concert wherever you are across the world.
Coronation Big Lunch
Also on this day, people across the UK are being encouraged to get together to enjoy street parties and share food as part of a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Lots of resources to help people bring communities together can be downloaded from the Coronation Big Lunch website.
Monday 8 May
Bank Holiday & The Big Help Out
To celebrate King Charles III’s coronation, this date has been declared a special Bank Holiday. As well as giving everyone the day off to celebrate, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out – a nationwide volunteering initiative that will encourage people to volunteer in their local areas.
For updates on this year’s coronation celebrations go to royal.uk/coronation.
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.
Celebrate the King’s Coronation at Hever Castle
As the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, 2nd wife of Henry VIII, and later the home of his fourth wife Anne of Cleeves, there will be something quite special about celebrating the coronation at the home of two former queens of England.
Try your hat at being king for a day and craft your own crown, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the castle grounds whilst revelling in the history around you.
Plus, learn more about the two former queens of England, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn in an exciting new exhibition in the castle, which features two prayer books, one on loan from the Morgan Library in New York (on display until June 2023 – the exhibition runs until November).
Coronation events in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Award-winning Tunbridge Wells hotel, One Warwick Park will be hosting a series of events from 1 – 8 May 2023 to celebrate His Majesty The King.
As well as a screening of the historic coronation ceremony on Saturday 6 May there will also be a a royal afternoon tea party on the day itself (11am-4pm) which will include delicious sweet treats with royal twists, and copious amounts of champagne, as well as several special dining experiences available during the week before until Monday 8 May, including King Charles III themed cocktails and a champagne afternoon tea.
Find out more and book your place 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.
A Coronation Cruise with English Holiday Cruises
Gloucestershire-based travel company English Holiday Cruises are offering a one-off special edition cruise to mark the coronation of King Charles III. Guests will enjoy The Classic Severn Cruise with a coronation twist – a relaxing cruise departing from Gloucester on 1st May, cruising to Stourport through Worcester, Tewksbury, and Upton upon Severn, before adjourning to the shoreside bar and restaurant, ‘The Boathouse’ for a live viewing of the King’s coronation – and plenty of celebrations afterwards!
Prices from £1,850 book now 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.
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. Pre-order your copy today! Orders will be mailed from 5 April 2023. Get yours now 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.
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