The coronation of King Charles will take place this spring (Picture: Getty Images)
The reign of King Charles III is now well underway, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II late last summer – and his long-awaited coronation is now just months away.
On Saturday, Buckingham Palace released brand new details on what we can expect from the day, including a balcony appearance and a concert featuring global stars.
The coronation will be held almost a year after the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations took place in June 2022, and Her Majesty is likely to be honoured in the service.
But when exactly is the coronation taking place and will it be a bank holiday in the UK?
Here’s all you need to know.
When will The King’s coronation take place?
King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6 2023.
Vivat Rex – long live The King (Picture: Getty)
Buckingham Palace announced the news on October 11 last year and confirmed that it would take place at Westminster Abbey. It will be held by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Camilla will also be crowned.
The Palace also addressed the much-discussed topic of a ‘slimmed down’ coronation, adding in its statement: ‘The coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.’
Previously, royal biographer Hugo Vickers predicted the date could be June 2, 2023.
That would have been serendipitous, as The Queen’s coronation took place exactly 70 years earlier on June 2, 1953.
Her Majesty’s coronation took place more than a year after the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952.
Queen Elizabeth II was not crowned until a year after her accession (Picture: The Print Collector/Getty Images)
Could King Charles III’s coronation be a bank holiday?
Although it initially looked like the country wouldn’t get a bank holiday, it was later revealed that the government would indeed give the country a day off.
Downing Street confirmed the UK-wide holiday will fall on Monday, May 8, after the coronation at Westminster Abbey two days before.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: ‘The coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country. In recognition of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce an additional bank holiday for the whole United Kingdom next year.’
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‘I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour.’
Britons previously got a bank holiday to coincide with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held on Monday, September 19.
What to expect from King Charles III’s coronation
It was revealed last week that the King’s coronation celebrations will take place over multiple days, from Saturday May 6 to Monday May 8, 2023.
On Saturday, both the King and Queen Consort will be coronated at Westminster Abbey, and later, a balcony appearance will take place at Buckingham Palace.
On the Sunday, a ‘Coronation concert’ will take place at Windsor Castle, featuring global stars and the Coronation Choir, a diverse group that will be created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK.
On the Monday, a bank holiday, has been set aside for volunteering and is being billed as ‘the big help out’.
Organised by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the UK, the big help out aims to highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities.
Some details of The King’s coronation have been planned for quite some time.
Under the code name ‘Operation Golden Orb’, a source told the Daily Mail in February 2022 that it had been planned to the smallest detail.
More: King Charles III
The source said: ‘The Golden Orb committee used to meet twice a year, but now they’re meeting much more frequently, sometimes once a month.
‘Compared to the last coronation, there will be a lot less fuss. Last time, special green chairs were commissioned and guests were able to have them delivered to their homes afterwards. You won’t see that sort of thing this time.’
The King is also said to want a ‘less expensive’ coronation amid the cost of living crisis facing the nation.
The official website for the Royal Family also explains more about the traditions of a coronation.
It explains: ‘The coronation of the new Sovereign follows some months after his or her accession, following a period of mourning and as a result of the enormous amount of preparation required to organise the ceremony.
The St Edward’s Crown will be worn at the coronation of The King (Picture: JACK HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Imperial State Crown was worn by The Queen just after her coronation, and is worn at the State Opening of Parliament by the monarch each year (Picture: Hannah McKay- WPA Pool/Getty Images)
‘Present are representatives of the Houses of Parliament, Church and State. Prime ministers and leading citizens from the Commonwealth and representatives of other countries also attend.’
During the ceremony, the Sovereign takes the coronation oath and wears the St Edward’s Crown.
For King Charles’ ceremony, Camilla will also be crowned as The Queen Consort.
Will Prince Harry and Meghan be at the coronation?
At the moment, nothing has officially been confirmed regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s attendance.
However, some senior royals are alleged to be worried their conversations will end up in paperback if the couple attends, according to reports.
It is safe to say that the relationship within the Royal family has been particularly fractious following the release of the controversial tell-all Netflix series ‘Harry & Meghan’ and Prince Harry’s new ghost-written memoir ‘Spare’ which made several big allegations surrounding the couple’s treatment by the British press and Buckingham Palace.
In an interview with Late Night host Stephen Colbert, Prince Harry recently stated that he believed there was an active campaign by the Royal household to undermine the book’s claims.
However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in attendance at the Queen’s funeral last year.
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A crowning is on the cards for spring 2023.