Royal Family
Details of King Charles’ coronation revealed
Buckingham Palace have revealed details of King Charles III’s coronation, which looks set to be less extravagant than his mother’s ceremony 70 years ago.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have invited all of the U.K. to their coronation weekend, which is set to take place over three days, starting on May 6.
Buckingham Palace announced that the festivities will begin with the coronation, and be followed by a “Coronation Big Lunch” and “Coronation Concert” the next day, and an extra bank holiday on Monday. The public have been invited to join “The Big Help Out” on the last day by volunteering in their communities.
The coronation itself will be conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and will be “a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry” according to the palace.
The palace added that the ceremony will “reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.”
Experts believe that means a different and more subdued coronation than the one Charles’ late mother experienced 70 years ago, including a shorter ceremony and some changes to the feudal elements of the ritual.
“Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, families and communities across the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth,” Buckingham Palace announced via a press release. “Their Majesties are looking forward to marking the occasion with the public throughout 2023.”
Which members of the royal family will be in attendance?
Charles and Camilla will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as “The King’s Procession”, and return in a larger ceremonial procession, known as “The Coronation Procession”, with other members of the royal family.
It’s unclear which members of the family will appear at the procession following Prince Andrew’s exile from public life and the recent release of Prince Harry’s memoir.
“It would help Charles a lot in terms of his image if Harry and Meghan were there,” royal historian Kate Willliams told CNN. “It’s particularly going to look bad for him if his son is not there because, of course, Harry still is very high in line to the throne, as are his children.”
Big names expected for the Coronation Concert
The day after the coronation, May 7, will see thousands of events take place across the country as part of the “Coronation Big Lunch”, with global music icons and stars set to appear at the “Coronation Concert” on Windsor Castle’s East Lawn.
The concert will be attended by thousands of members of the public who will be given free tickets through a national ballot held by the BBC, and volunteers from the King and Queen Consort’s charity affiliations.
A group made up of Britain’s Refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs, known as “The Coronation Choir” will also perform at the concert, along with a “Virtual Choir” comprised of signs from across the Commonwealth.