The coronation of a King is a significant event that marks the beginning of a new era in a country’s history. It is a time-honoured tradition that dates back centuries, and as such, it is a highly anticipated event.
For those who are eagerly waiting for the next coronation, the question on everyone’s mind is, “when is the King’s Coronation?”
In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about the coronation, including its history, significance, and its much-anticipated date.
- When is the King’s Coronation?
- What is a coronation?
- What happens at a coronation?
- Is the King’s Coronation a bank holiday?
- What time is the King’s Coronation?
- Where can I watch King Charles III Coronation ceremony?
- Will there be a King’s Coronation medal?
- Who will be at the King’s Coronation?
- Where will the King’s Coronation take place?
- How much will the King’s Coronation cost?
- Summary
When is the King’s Coronation?
Buckingham Palace has officially announced that the Coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort will be held on Saturday the 6th of May 2023.
This is eight months after the King was automatically appointed as Queen Elizabeth II’s successor on September the 8th 2022.
Why was the 6th of May chosen as the date for the coronation?
The 6th of May 2023 was announced as the date for the coronation for several reasons, after it was agreed by the government and the Church of England.
The date was chosen by Buckingham Palace because it not only holds significant historic and commemorative value, but it was also far enough in advance that the Royal family and the public could have time to mourn the death of Elizabeth II.
The day is important as His Majesty’s grandfather, George VI, was also coronated in May, whilst King Charles III’s grandson will also be celebrating his 4th birthday on the 6th May. What’s more, this date marks a wedding anniversary of the late Princess Margaret, who was Elizabeth II’s younger sister.
What is a coronation?
A coronation takes place when a monarch passes away, abdicates, or retires, whilst the ceremony officially crowns a new monarch as the head of state.
In this case, the formerly known as Prince Charles, will replace his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, to become King Charles III of the United Kingdom. It is a tradition that has been practiced for centuries and is steeped in rich British history and symbolism.
During the coronation, the monarch is anointed with oil, receives an Imperial State crown, and is presented with various other regalia and symbols of power.
Despite these acts, the event is more symbolic, representing an iconic moment in history. This upcoming coronation will be especially significant, as it will be the first one for nearly 70 years.
A coronation’s importance can be undermined though by the fact that they are not actually necessary in order for a monarch to be deemed King or Queen. Reigns in the past have begun without a coronation.
The history of coronations
The practice of coronations dates back to ancient times. It is believed that the first recorded coronation was that of Sargon of Akkad in 2334 BCE. In Europe, the first coronation was that of Charlemagne in 800 CE.
Since then, coronations have been an integral part of European and other monarchies worldwide.
In the UK, the first recorded coronation was that of Edgar in 973 CE. Since then, every British monarch has been coronated, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII, who both abdicated before their coronations.
What happens at a coronation?
Coronations, and many royal occasions, can seem a bit confusing and hard to follow, which is strange because coronations have changed very little throughout history and are a one-of-kind spectacle.
We can talk you through some phases you can expect to see throughout the event. These include:
- The new monarch will be recognised and presented to all that have been invited to attend the Abbey.
- The soon to be King or Queen will swear by a coronation oath declared by the Church of England.
- The sovereign will then be anointed. This involves the Archbishop of Canterbury smearing holy oil on the sovereign’s head and hands.
- The up-and-coming King or Queen is then presented with items of significance; the Royal Orb, and two Scepter. These symbolise different aspects, such as religious values, and power. St Edward’s Crown will then be placed on the head of the new monarch.
- The new King or Queen will then take their seat on the throne, before attendees will pay their respect by kneeling before them.
Camilla, who will be the Queen Consort, will go through the exact same ceremony before being crowned as well.
Is the King’s Coronation a bank holiday?
To mark the occasion of the King Charles’s Coronation, yes, there will be a national bank holiday weekend. A one-time bank holiday has been announced by the government, taking place on Monday the 8th May 2023.
It is believed that the public are encouraged to volunteer on that Monday as a form of celebrating the coronation.
What time is the King’s Coronation?
It is not clear yet what time King Charles’s coronation ceremony will be, as it has not been confirmed as of yet.
However, we can make educated guesses based off the previous coronation which commenced the sovereignty of Queen Elizabeth II. This began just after 11am, so we could expect the same from the coronation on May 6th. Planning for a Coronation Big Lunch might be a good idea!
Where can I watch King Charles III’s Coronation ceremony?
It is likely that you won’t find it very hard to find the coronation broadcast live on the TV. Modern-day coronations are broadcasted all over the world and bring in millions of viewers.
The BBC are almost guaranteed to be showing the coronation, and they normally air shows which cover the event hours before and hours after the coronation.
Will there be a King’s Coronation medal?
When the Royal Family celebrates a special occasion, a commemorative medal is created to mark the event.
For this coronation, King Charles III will be presented will a commemorative coronation medal, but it is unlikely that you will see the King’s Coronation medal, as it will likely be presented to his Majesty following the ceremony.
Who will be at the King’s Coronation?
The guest list for the Coronation of King Charles and the Queen Consort will include members of the royal family, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and other VIPs.
The exact guest list can vary depending on the specific coronation and how the country is operating politically.
Typically, invitations are sent out well in advance of the event, but it is rarely disclosed who is and who isn’t going. The ceremony is also attended by various religious leaders and representatives, as the coronation is a religious ceremony as well as a political one.
There’s often a lot of speculation as to who will make the cut and get such an elusive invitation, especially with regard to famous celebrities. It is also unconfirmed who will join the next King and the Queen Consort on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Anyone who follows the Royal Family may also be speculating whether a certain few members will be in attendance…
Where will the King’s Coronation take place?
King Charles and the Queen Consort Camilla will attend the coronation along with all their guests at Westminster Abbey in London.
London will be packed with spectators, and you can join them, because a coronation procession will travel across the capital to mark the momentous occasion. In fact, London will be celebrating a coronation weekend once the King has left Westminster Abbey, including a special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle which will be broadcast live on Sunday the 7th of May 2023.
How much will the King’s Coronation cost?
It is never all that clear how much major royal events such as these will cost, but we do know that the UK government will pay for the coronation.
There’s a lot of figures out that have been published but all we can say here at A-Plan is that the Queen’s Coronation back in 1953 cost around £1.6 million, but that was nearly 70 years ago.
Nevertheless, the UK government and Royal Family will both be under pressure to produce a ceremony for the Coronation of King Charles III which will both show sensitivity during a cost-of-living-crisis across the United Kingdom and also meet the traditional expectations which come with such an event.
Summary
The King’s Coronation is a highly anticipated event that marks the beginning of a new era in a country’s history. It is a tradition that dates back centuries and is steeped in history and symbolism.
We now know that His Majesty King Charles III will be coronated on Saturday the 6th of May 2023, and it is expected to be a highly significant event that will draw global attention. People of the United Kingdom will also enjoy a bank holiday weekend to celebrate the historic event, after almost 70 years since the last royal coronation.
Did you know that A-Plan can cover street parties? We know this is a pretty unique insurance to consider, so we are happy to answer any questions that you can think of, to ensure your event goes smoothly and without worry. Contact your local branch here, or speak directly with our event insurance experts at our Bournemouth branch on 01202 297031.
You could also read:
- Should you insure your King’s Coronation street party?
- Old pound coins: what do we do with them now?
- Everything you need to know about using old stamps.
Sources
- Timeout.co.uk
- BBC.co.uk
- Countryliving.com
- Awardmedals.com
- Royal.uk