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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Nathan Bevan

Everything we know so far about King Charles' coronation

It's one of the most eagerly-anticipated dates in the UK calendar. Next month will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Huge crowds are expected to converge on London to become a part of the special day. And it'll certainly be one for the history books - last time Britain having held a coronation ceremony being 70 years ago when Queen Elizabeth II (then 27-years-old) was crowned on June 2, 1953.

A lot is being planned to mark the special event, with new details about what will be taking place emerging on a daily basis. So here's everything we know so far about what can be expected.

READ MORE: Coronation Twitter emoji revealed as Charles’s 17th century golden crown

Where is it and when?

The coronation will begin at 11.15am on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London. Charles, who turned 74 years old in November last year, will be the oldest person in British history to be crowned.

This is the St Edward's Crown with which Charles will be crowned (Royal Collection Trust/© His Majesty King Charles III 2023)

How many will attend?

Just 2,000 guests are expected - stark contrast to the 8,000 plus present at the Queen’s coronation in 1953. This is because Charles has reportedly elected to have a cheaper, shorter 'slimmed-down' ceremony due to the fact he's "very aware" of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the UK.

How long is the procession route?

At 1.3-miles it'll be a a fraction of the length of his late mother's five-mile coronation route back in '53. The procession will then double back on itself, rather than travelling around central London.

The shorter route probably means there'll be a far larger crowd lining it as many well-wishers will want to ensure they don't miss their chance to see the newly crowned king go by.

Will there be a Bank Holiday?

Yes, there will. The coronation will be a bank holiday weekend, with Monday, May 8 being declared a national day off.

How will the weekend play out?

Saturday

In what's known as the 'king’s procession' Charles and Camilla will journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey on Saturday morning. They'll travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, created for Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Her late Majesty’s reign in 2012.

After the abbey service, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles and Camilla will return Buckingham Palace in a 'coronation procession' - they'll then be joined, both here and on the palace's balcony, by other members of the royal family.

The 'coronation procession' will also feature hundreds of members of the Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth and British Overseas Territories.

The procession route for King Charles III's coronation (PA Graphics/Press Association Images)

Sunday

A coronation concert featuring "global music icons and contemporary stars" will appear at Windsor Castle. The Coronation Choir - a group created from refugee, NHS, LGBTQ+ and deaf signing choirs across the U - will also perform, while stars of stage and screen will be on hand to read out selections of well-known poetry and prose.

Landmarks across the UK will also be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations, whilst parties and gatherings are expected to take place in streets and parks all over the country.

Monday

Bank holiday Monday will see numerous volunteering events take place nationwide. Organised by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, as well as faith groups from across the UK, this 'Big Help Out' event is aimed at highlighting the positive impact such good works have on UK communities.

More than 850 community and charity representatives from across the UK have been invited to Saturday's service at Westminster Abbey.

Will it be televised?

If you're not planning on heading to London to see it in person it will be broadcast on TV (as well as radio), both in the UK and all over the world.

Not only that but the BBC is reportedly waiving its licence fee for the duration of the weekend, allowing local communities to get together in venues such churches and community centres - as well as commercial premises such as cinemas - in order to watch the action take place.

The Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport has also invested over £1million creating dozens of big screens to be erected on public sites in several major cities, including Cardiff.

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend?

Harry and Meghan are set to decide. (Getty)

While it has been confirmed that the couple have received their official invites to the bash, their attendance hasn't been confirmed as yet. The speculation comes after reports that Harry had been 'downgraded' on the guestlist following the release of Spare, his recent controversial memoir.

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