For the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May, Buckingham Palace invited the UK to join in the celebrations with street parties and lunches over the bank holiday weekend.
Not everyone has accepted this invitation. Here, Guardian readers share their alternative coronation plans.
‘Painting my bathroom skirting boards’
I’ll paint the bathroom skirting boards, listen to a podcast and try and forget this is happening. The whole thing feels like a brutal reminder of how archaic the UK is. In terms of media coverage, it feels like even saying you’re just not that interested is considered treacherous – never mind believing it shouldn’t be happening. It shouldn’t be portrayed as radical to stop funding rich people who wave and cut ribbons at public buildings on the basis that God chose them. Book McFly to open buildings instead. They seem nice lads – they’d be cheaper and they could sing a song, too. Thank God I’m in Wales, where there’s more common sense. Sam, 31, Wales
‘I’ll put some bunting up – but I won’t pledge allegiance’
I’m working on Friday, Sunday and Monday but I do have the coronation day off. Hopefully it will be nice enough to spend it in the garden and have lunch outside. We’ll probably put some bunting up just to join in. Our village is having a street party on Sunday; the monarchy seems to be the only way you’re allowed to close the street to do that. I don’t want to impose my feelings on to other people, but I won’t be watching the coronation and I certainly won’t be pledging allegiance. It all seems to be a waste of money, especially during the cost of living crisis. I feel like I’m volunteering at work because my pay is minimal for my qualifications and experience as a nurse. Jane, 58, critical care nurse, Kent
‘I plan to sail from Uig to Lochmaddy’
I sail from Uig on Skye to Lochmaddy on the Hebrides on 4 May and will work my way down North Uist, South Uist before sailing back to the mainland from Barra on 10 May. My mother was a royalist, in so much that she loved the queen and generally felt that they did a good job. I spent at least 50 years pointing out to her that they don’t actually have a job. She really seemed to love Princess Diana, though she certainly had no time for Charles. The 1953 coronation was a world apart. It was black and white telly and stiff upper lips. Countless lords, ladies, dukes and their ilk swanning around. Nowadays, it’s Ant and Dec and Lionel Richie. The monarchy is long past its sell-by date. Fraser McIntosh, 70, retired, Edinburgh
‘Planting beans and sweetcorn’
I plan to spend as much of the weekend as possible in my garden, planting beans and sweetcorn and getting caught up on my weeding. I will be switching off the radio whenever any coverage of the coronation comes on – though I know it will still be impossible to avoid entirely. I felt a nostalgic affection towards Elizabeth II, and was surprised to find that after her death I became a fervent republican. The clampdown on protest against the monarchy, revelations of the scale of the royal family’s wealth, and Prince Harry’s memoir shining a light on the dysfunctional relationship between members of the royal family and the media, have convinced me it is time for this institution to be retired. Terri, 59, London
‘Attending a dog agility competition’
I will spend the day watching my wife take part in a dog agility competition with her two border collies, Lola and George. The talk will be of “reverse turns”, “pull backs” and “Ketschkers” – and possibly King Charles spaniels. I support Charles in his concern for the environment, his support for organic farming and his interest in multiculturalism. I had hoped he might take a more modern approach to the monarchy, but that now seems a forlorn hope. The palace’s view of the coronation appears to be business as usual, which I believe is out of step with the concerns of ordinary people. Roger Lacey, 72, retired, Cumbria
‘Knitting in bed’
As always, I will walk to my allotment just before sunrise. I lose time when I’m there, and there’s always stuff to do. I take frequent breaks to talk to the birds and delight in my privilege having an allotment. At about 8.30am, I walk home and treat myself to breakfast. If I don’t have work, I’ll sit in bed knitting. It’s become a bit of an obsession; I’m up to hat 45 this year. Every hour, I walk 250 steps in the vain attempt it will ease my osteoarthritis. I’m hoping no one has a street party to remind me of the coronation. Sylvia Suddes, 58, copy editor, Huddersfield
