The King’s coronation 2023: Everything you need to know

The King’s Coronation took place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey. Here’s our guide to all the coronation celebration events happening over the next few weeks…

When is the King’s coronation?

King Charles III’s coronation took place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey.

The countdown to the coronation is on…

Crowning of the King: Your ultimate coronation keepsake

king's coronation

From the team behind BRITAIN, Crowning of the King, a 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. Buy your copy today! Get yours now here.

What will happen on the day of the King’s coronation?

Read our guide to the King’s Coronation and some of our highlights, below:

The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

You can find out more about the King’s Coronation, and how you can be involved with celebrations across the country, on the Royal Family’s website here.

king's coronation
The Gold State Coach (pictured here being used in Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022) will be used to carry the King and Queen Consort on 6 May 2023. Photo by Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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. 

Coronation events around the country

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 will play a pivotal role in the Coronation celebrations, most notably with its role as the backdrop for the Coronation Concert, which will bring together stars from around the globe.

Find out more about the concert and other celebrations in the town, here. 

Coronation celebrations at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

This historic London landmark will be hosting a weekend of royal-themed celebrations, and activities, including a specially curated Royal Tour, highlighting royal connections with the site, Coronation Afternoon Tea and Tea Tasting at Admiral’s House and a Coronation Parade from hundreds of young cadets from across London.

Find out more and get your tickets, 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 world has witnessed 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. 

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. One of the packages on offer is the special Coronation Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Goring, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and the only hotel in London given the Royal Warrant. Raise a glass of champagne to the King whilst indulging in some of his favourite sandwiches and cakes, specially selected for the afternoon tea. Find out more here. 

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).

www.hevercastle.co.uk

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.

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.

King's coronation
The dress worn by Lady Jane Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

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.

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Coronation exhibition

This exhibition Dressing the Royals at the Stoke-on-Trent museum will feature iconic costumes created for film and television highlighting period styles from the 16th to the 20th century worn by kings and queens. The display will include items from five films and two television series and the Coronation Robes of Lord and Lady Bagot.

The exhibition will run from 29 April to 5 September. 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 Sunday 7 May, 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. 

On 7 May, and on selected dates throughout the summer, 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. 

Coronation street party at Battersea Power Station
Photo credit: Charlie Round-Turner

Celebrate the coronation of King Charles III at the newly-opened Battersea Power Station, in its perfect spot on the river. With live entertainment, family-friendly activities, coronation-themed menus and cocktails, revellers will be able to watch the day’s proceedings on a big screen too.

Find out more here. 

Coronation events in Bath

As the first ever coronation of a crowned king of England took place in Bath in 973AD at Bath Abbey, it seems a fitting place to celebrate the crowning of our new king in 2023!

From supper clubs and royal walking tours to a coronation garden party at Bath’s famous royal crescent hotel, there will be plenty to keep you occupied over the bank holiday weekend in the city.

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.

Celebrate the Coronation at the Eden Project in Cornwall

The Eden Project, home of the Coronation Big Lunch, has announced a jam-packed weekend over the coronation weekend on May 6-8, including a big screen in the Arena, where visitors can watch the Coronation live, and free entry for those aged 25 and under.

Find out more here. 

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