It’s set to be a busy weekend in London, full of events and disruption as millions travel to the city for the coronation of King Charles III.
There will be road closures, diversions, and changes to bus and train routes and timetables as the events begin. Transport for London is advising people. Plan ahead And allow more travel time and tell passengers to avoid central London if their destination is not in the city.
The coronation will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 6, 2023, officially marking the beginning of the new Caroline era. The grand ceremony is being held on September 8, 2022, eight months after Charles ascended the throne on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
If you’re venturing into the capital, here’s a rundown of everything that’s happening for Coronation weekend.
While most of the official events will take place in London and nearby Windsor, visitors from across the UK can expect to see Britain’s peak during the month of May. Think of the countryside – already blooming with spring flowers – adorned with a burst of red, white and blue. Two royal themed shop window displays – with plenty of British tongue-in-cheek humour. Plus choir concerts, street parties, picnics, fireworks and all sorts Celebratory events across the country.
In London, you’ve visited all the royal sights you can manage, you might even applaud the King himself. The procession of the king, or later in the balcony wave at Buckingham Palace (where he will appear with the rest of the royal family). When the evening falls, keep the celebration going exclusively Coronation Prom At the Royal Albert Hall, or perhaps join London’s famous drag king performers for entertainment.Drag Save the King“Show.
How can I go to the King’s procession on Coronation Day?
All roads around Westminster, The Mall and Buckingham Palace will be closed in the days leading up to and during the event, but public transport will operate. The nearest train stations to Buckingham Palace are London Victoria and London Charing Cross.
The tube also stops at Victoria, as well as at Green Park, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner. Check which stations are experiencing delays or congestion for real-time information. Transport for London (TFL) journey planner Online or through the app.
If you’re not a fan of crowds, it’s probably best to avoid the entire area on Coronation Day.
What will happen at the royal coronation?
gave The ceremony It has remained largely unchanged for over 1000 years, and includes recognition, anointing, coronation oaths and homage.
In May, Charles and Camilla will be anointed with holy oil by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III in Jerusalem by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Olive oil is scented with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom.
To avoid controversy, it was decided to decorate Camilla. Queen Mary’s diamond-encrusted crown Instead of the Queen Mother’s platinum crown (with its controversial 105-carat Koh Noor diamond; you can see That in the Tower of London). But whether Charles’ wife will be known as Queen Consort (as her late majesty wished) or simply Queen Camilla is still an open question.
Can I watch the coronation?
The actual ceremony will take place in Westminster Abbey in front of an audience of about 2,000 notables (probably not including you or me). The ceremony will also be broadcast to an audience of millions around the world, as it was when Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.
Is there really an extra holiday for the coronation of a king?
Yes. In addition to all the pompous, festive and patriotic parties for the coronation on Saturday, an additional bank holiday was declared for the King’s coronation: Monday 8 May.
This means that this May will bring three bank holidays in the UK: Monday 1 May, Monday 8 May and Monday 29 May.
What else is planned for Coronation Weekend?
King Charles III’s passion for the environment and charitable causes is well known. So it’s no surprise that, in addition to the spiritual and sacred significance of the coronation, the rest of the weekend will be a call to action as well as a nation’s rejoicing.
A special on Sunday 7th May Coronation Concert It will be held at Windsor Castle and will be broadcast live by the BBC. (after the Lottery for tickets Closed at the end of February, 10,000 places were distributed to members of the public.)
The concert line-up includes the Coronation Choir, made up of singers from community choirs across the UK, including asylum choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs; a virtual choir from across the Commonwealth; and a 74-piece orchestra. There are also: numerous dancers, a laser and drone light show, and spoken word performances.
Pop icons invited to perform include Sir Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Harry Styles, Elton John, Kylie and Dannii Minogue, The Spice Girls and Queen. Announcements about final operations are yet to come.
Ordinary Brits will also be celebrating with him on Sunday 7 May. Coronation Big LunchAn initiative by the Eden Project. Neighbors will be encouraged to host street parties across the country to share food and conversation at the same time.
Coronation Bank Holiday
On a special bank holiday, the King would invite people to attend. Great help By getting involved in projects and charities in your local area. Charles III encouraged volunteerism during his reign to help those in need. Royal Voluntary Service.
What else can I do on Coronation weekend?
Not everyone in Britain will be watching the coronation. Unlike last year, when almost everything came to a standstill for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and a period of official national mourning, normal activities are expected to continue during Coronation Weekend.
Sports events like Premier League Football And British horse racing Comps scheduled for May 6 are expected to go ahead. However, increased policing resources may mean that some events are rescheduled for Sunday 7 May.
Similarly, to avoid broadcast conflict, major events may be postponed until later in the day when the nation’s eyes are not on the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
Visitors to London should note that Westminster Abbey will be closed until Monday 8 May.
Can we expect a conflict…?
The coronation is a moment of reassertion of the divine authority of the king, a moment as political as it is religious.
Although the reign of King Charles I famously ended with his public execution in 1649, opposition to the reign of King Charles III thus far involved little more than a republican. Stunt At Windsor Castle, citizens hold up posters with hashtags. #NotMyKing And a call A pledge to protest Coronation Day.
Second major coronation controversy: How will the Royal Family engage with Harry?
That’s the question everyone has been asking since Prince Harry’s memoirs. Spare came out in January and his coronation invitation was confirmed in April.
This article was first published on March 23, 2023 and was updated on May 5, 2023.