On May 6, 2023, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned in a historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The Archbishop of Canterbury will lead the ceremony, which will be accompanied by a three-day Bank Holiday weekend celebration, including a concert and a nationwide volunteering scheme. The Palace has stated, "The Coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry."
The coronation weekend will kick off with the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey, followed by a procession to Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family will join King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla on the balcony to conclude the day's events. While the lineup has not yet been released, it is expected to include immediate heirs to the throne and senior working royals, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew unlikely to be invited to join the balcony.
On May 7, a special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle, featuring global music icons and contemporary stars. The concert will be produced by BBC Studios and broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Sounds. In addition, Coronation Big Lunches will be held across the UK, encouraging communities to come together to share food and fun.
The Big Help Out, a volunteering day, will be held on May 8 to emphasize the positive impact of volunteering on communities across the nation. The goal is to create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.
King Charles's Coronation will be attended by members of the Royal Family, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children, as well as Charles's siblings, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed receipt of an invitation but have not yet announced whether they will attend.
Numerous foreign royals, dignitaries, and world leaders are also expected to attend the event. While US President Joe Biden has reportedly declined the invitation, prominent delegations will be sent on his behalf. Other heads of state to attend include those from Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, Japan, Hungary, and Monaco, as well as all three presidents of the EU - Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola, and Charles Michel.
The King's Coronation procession on May 6 will be limited to senior members of the Royal Family, which means Prince Harry, Meghan, and non-working royals like the Duke of York and his children, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, will not be involved. The procession will include Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children, Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexander, bringing the total to 15.
While some musical legends have declined to perform at the Coronation Concert, many more acts are anticipated to step up and ensure a successful event. Sir Elton John, the Spice Girls, Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Robbie Williams have reportedly declined due to scheduling conflicts.
The UK will have a public holiday on Monday, May 8, to mark the historic occasion, with dozens of events planned throughout the coronation weekend. The ceremony, expected to be broadcast live, will likely be available to watch on BBC, Sky, and ITV. During the ceremony, the Sovereign will take the coronation oath, be anointed and consecrated by the Archbishop, receive the orb and scepters, and be crowned by the Archbishop with St. Edward's Crown. Afterward, homage will be paid by the Archbishop of Canterbury and senior peers, followed by a celebration of Holy Communion.
Regarding accommodations, Harry and Meghan have been asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their UK home. However, they are not expected to leave the property until autumn, allowing them to stay at Frogmore if they choose to attend the coronation.
In line with royal tradition, a commemorative medal will be issued to mark King Charles's coronation. The Assay Offices of the UK have designed a special hallmark, the King's Coronation Mark, available from March 1, 2023, until December 31, 2024.
As the world awaits this historic event, millions are expected to tune in to witness the coronation of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, a momentous occasion steeped in tradition and pageantry.
