New Details of King Charles III's Coronation Announced by Buckingham Palace

On January 21, 2023, Buckingham Palace announced new details of events that will unfold on His Majesty King Charles III's Coronation Weekend this coming May 2023.

"Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce further details on the ceremonial, celebratory and community events that will take place over the Coronation Weekend between Saturday 6th and Monday 8th May 2023", said the statement.

Photo credit: The Royal Family

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be crowned together as the new monarch and Queen consort of the United Kingdom on the 6th day of May 2023, at Westminster Abbey, London.

The Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. According to Buckingham Palace's official statement, the Service during the coronation ceremony will reflect King Charles III's role as monarch and his views towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.

The Coronation will be one of the biggest royal events this year in Europe, apart from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's Golden Jubilee on the Swedish throne.

In Britain, during the Coronation Weekend, people across the country will have a chance to enjoy the celebration, participate, and witness different activities.

Buckingham Palace further stated, "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. Their Majesties are looking forward to marking the occasion with the public throughout 2023".

The King and Queen at the recent public engagement. Photo: The Royal Family

Details of the Coronation Weekend

May 6, 2023 - Saturday: The Coronation Service will take place at Westminster Abbey in the morning. Just like the previous Coronations of British monarchs, the Service will be a solemn religious ceremony as well as an occasion for pageantry.

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’. 

After the Service, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Other members of the Royal Family will join them in this procession.

At Buckingham Palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.

The King and Queen at the recent public engagement. Photo: The Royal Family

May 7, 2023, Sunday - The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

There will be a special Coronation Concert to take place at Windsor Castle. Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, the Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion. 

The public will get a chance to watch this concert. Members of the public's entry will be through a national ballot to be conducted by the BBC. The attendees will be selected to receive a pair of free tickets for the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. The audience will also include volunteers from Their Majesties' charity affiliations, 

Performers of the concert will be composed of a world-class orchestra playing interpretations of musical favorites to be fronted by some of the world’s biggest entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance. 

The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen. 

The centerpiece of the Coronation Concert, "Lighting up the Nation", will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays, and illuminations.

The Coronation Concert will be produced by BBC Studios and will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Sounds.

The Coronation Big Lunch  

Neighbors and communities across the United Kingdom are invited to share food and fun together at Coronation Big Lunches on Sunday 7th May 2023, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. 

From a cup of tea with a neighbor to a street party, a Coronation Big Lunch brings the celebrations to your neighborhood and is a great way to get to know your community a little better.

The Coronation Big Lunch will be overseen and organized by the Big Lunch team at the Eden Project. The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by The National Lottery, that brings millions of people together annually to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness, and support charities and good causes. Her Majesty The Queen Consort has been Patron of the Big Lunch since 2013.

May 8, 2023, Monday  - The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out will be held on Monday, 8th May 2023, and is being organized by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service, and faith groups from across the United Kingdom. 

The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. 

The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend. 

Source: The Royal Family's Official Website