The coronation of King Charles III of England is a few days away, but preparations have been proceeding relentlessly for months.
In the last hours Buckingham Palace announced the full schedule for the event, which will take place over three days from May 6 to 8, 2023.
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The procession of the King
Kicking off the celebrations will be the centerpiece of the event, the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.
The date is for the morning of May 6, 2023, when the new King and Camilla will be escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey aboard the Gold State Coach.
This is the famous gilded carriage that is paraded only for extraordinary occasions such as this. This moment take the name of the King’s Procession.
The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
The coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will take place in Westminster Abbey itself.
Performing the service, described by Buckingham Palace as a solemn religious service but also an occasion of pomp and celebration, will be the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who was also present for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The details of the ceremony are secret, but what is certain is that the monarch has already given directions for a more sober, quicker and less “crowded” ceremony than those of the past. According to rumors, it will last just over an hour. Instead of four hours as it was in the case of Queen Elizabeth.
Then, at the end of the celebration, the King and Queen together with the entire Royal family will engage in the “Coronation Procession” from Westminster Abbey Church to Buckingham Palace amidst two wings of crowds.
The Coronation Procession
Immediately after the ceremony will be the turn of the Coronation Procession. Namely, the return of King Charles III and the Queen to Buckingham Palace, flanked by the other members of the Royal Family.
Shortly afterwards, closing the first day of celebrations, it will be time for greetings from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
And important details are missing on this one: who will flank Charles and Camilla? Definitely William, Kate and their three children. While it appears increasingly likely that neither Prince Andrew nor Prince Harry will be there.
Read also: Prince Harry puts the British monarchy at risk: 15 revelations in his bombshell book Spare
The Grand Coronation Luncheon
The next day, May 7, will be the turn of the grand Coronation Luncheon, which will be attended by 2,000 guests carefully selected by King Charles III. This is a much smaller number than the 8,000 who attended Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Luncheon.
The first to confirm their attendance were Albert of Monaco and his wife Charlene, but U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will likely also attend.
The Coronation Concert
The evening of May 7, 2023 will be the time for the great Coronation concert to be held outdoors at Windsor Castle. Buckingham Palace has let it be known that the artist performing will be “world icons of contemporary music.”
It will not be an event open to the public. But the guest list will also consist of ordinary citizens selected by lot by the BBC.
It is on this day that a light, laser and drone show will start from Windsor. Which will be projected onto buildings across the country.
A day off for everyone
Monday, May 8, 2023 will be a national holiday for British citizens. Or almost. In fact, it is a special day when anyone who wants can make themselves useful and volunteer to clean up the streets, beaches or parks of England.
It will be a true festival of volunteerism that will serve to unite the community. And, to pay homage to the legacy of King Charles III, who has always been attentive to environmental issues.
