A major event in UK history is nearly upon us. For the first time in 70 years, a new monarch will be crowned.
While King Charles ascended to the throne at the moment his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away in September last year, the pageantry and celebration to crown him takes plenty of planning. With that in mind, a date of Saturday, May 6, was set for the event.
It was the same when the Queen ascended seven decades ago. While she became monarch on February 6, 1952, she was not crowned until more than a year later, on June 2, 1953.
The eyes of much of the world will no doubt be on London for the event in less than a fortnight's time. Here is a rundown of all the timings so far for the King’s coronation day on May 6:
6am – Viewing areas open along the procession route.
7.15-8.30am – Guests for Westminster Abbey begin to arrive at security check points in Victoria Tower Gardens.
9am – Congregation to be seated inside the Abbey.
9.30-10.45am – Heads of state, overseas government representatives, Government ministers, First Ministers, former PMs, foreign royals and members of the royal family arrive.
9.45am – The Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry begin to gather ready for the procession from Buckingham Palace.
10.20am – The King and Queen Consort’s procession sets off from the Palace.
10.53am – The King and Queen Consort arrive at Westminster Abbey.
11am – Charles and Camilla enter the Abbey through the Great West Door and the service begins.
12pm – The King is crowned. The Archbishop of Canterbury places the St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head. Trumpets will sound and gun salutes will be fired across the UK.
1pm – The service ends and the newly crowned King and Queen begin their coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach.
1.33pm – Charles and Camilla are expected to enter Buckingham Palace through the Centre Arch.
1.45pm – The King and Queen Consort receive a royal salute from the military in the Palace gardens
Around 2.15pm – The King, Queen Consort and members of the royal family appear on the Palace balcony to watch the flypast.
