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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Megan Nisbet

When is the King's coronation, who is attending, and is there a bank holiday?

With less than a month to go until the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, attention has turned to the all-important ceremony. In recent days, Prince Harry has confirmed he will be attending the historic event without Meghan Markle, while a new range of commemorative coins, featuring a crowned portrait of the King for the first time, have been confirmed.

The coronation will also mark a long weekend, with an extra bank holiday added in May to mark the occasion. Supermarkets and stores have been busy prepping for celebrations, with coronation bunting, themed foods and decorations lining the shelves.

In Wales, the King's coronation will be shown on the big screen at Cardiff Castle, while Foodies Festival will visit the capital for a three-day celebration to mark the event. In Newport, the council deadline for street party applications is looming.

Read more: Prince Harry will attend King's coronation but Meghan will stay at home, palace says

But when is the King's coronation, what date is the bank holiday and who will be attending the ceremony? Here's everything you need to know.

When is the King's coronation?

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday, May 6, with a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London. On Sunday, May 7, a special concert will be performed at Windsor Castle and televised on BBC One and BBC iPlayer - the event will also see iconic locations across the UK lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

Between Saturday, May 6, and Monday, May 8, Coronation Big Lunches will take place up and down the country and across the Commonwealth.

When is the extra bank holiday?

Monday, May 8, is an extra Bank Holiday that was proclaimed by the Prime Minister in honour of the coronation. At the end of last year Downing Street said the holiday would fall two days after the coronation at Westminster Abbey, and would apply across the UK.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it would be an opportunity for families and communities to come together to celebrate, just as the country did for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It means there are three bank holiday dates in May, including the early May bank holiday on Monday, May 1, and the spring bank holiday on Monday, May 29.

Who will attend the King's coronation?

Prince Harry will attend King Charles' coronation - but his wife Meghan Markle will remain in California (Getty Images)

Over 2,000 guests will form the congregation in Westminster Abbey. It has also been announced that eight Pages of Honour have been chosen to attend Their Majesties during the Coronation Service.

A confirmed list of royal family members is yet to be confirmed but Buckingham Palace has said Prince Harry will be in attendance after months of speculation. The Palace said in a brief statement on Wednesday, April 12: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."

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