With the excitement building and the countdown beginning for the King’s Coronation, we’re bringing you everything you need to know before the big day.
We’ll be updating this page with information about the King’s coronation as it is released so keep checking back for more details…
When is the King’s coronation?
King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023, Buckingham Palace have said. We do not yet know what time the service will be but we know it is expected to be in the morning.
What will happen on the day of the King’s coronation?
The service, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, will last up to two hours (an hour shorter than that of the late Queen Elizabeth II), and in a break with tradition the Queen will be crowned alongside the King.
The King and Queen will travel from Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach, which was restored for last year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
It is believed that the Queen Consort Camilla has chosen to wear the Crown of Queen Mary for the King’s coronation. This crown was made for the Consort of King George V on his coronation in 1911. She has chosen this rather than the expected Crown of Queen Elizabeth, which was made for the Queen Elizabeth II’s mother on the coronation of her husband in 1937. This is likely to be because Queen Elizabeth’s Crown contains the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which has a very controversial history.
The King has also opted to wear military uniform instead of silk stockings and breeches, which were the coronation attire of previous kings.
A large-scale ceremonial procession will follow the service, and, according to tradition, other members of the Royal Family will join the newly crowned King and Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for an RAF fly-past.
What will happen on Sunday 7 and Monday 8 May?
On 7 May, a special Coronation Concert will be broadcast live from Windsor Castle, iconic landmarks across Britain will be illuminated by lasers and projections, and street parties will be held across the land.
The ticket ballot for the Coronation Concert is still open – enter here.
On 8 May, designated a bank holiday, members of the public will be encouraged to take part in The Big Help Out, a volunteering initiative designed to bring communities together.
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.
Crowning of the King: Your ultimate coronation keepsake
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. 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.
Coronation events around the country
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.
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.
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.
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.
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