The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort takes place at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6th May 2023 and excitement is building for a weekend of celebrations. 

Across the Coronation Weekend, there will be numerous opportunities across the UK for people to come together in celebration of this historic occasion. On Sunday 7th May 2023, a special Coronation Concert will be staged at Windsor Castle and broadcast live on television.

The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country on the same date. On Monday 8th May 2023, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity for people to spend time and celebrate with friends, families and communities across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

His Majesty King Charles III

Her Majesty The Queen Consort

Saturday 6th May 2023

The Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey

The Coronation Service will take place on the morning of Saturday 6th May at Westminster Abbey in London. The service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and is a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry.

Westminster Abbey

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’. 

After the Service, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Their Majesties will be joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family, accompanied by Armed Forces from across the Commonwealth and the British Overseas Territories, and all Services of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, alongside The Sovereign’s Bodyguard and Royal Watermen.

For the Coronation Procession, Their Majesties will travel in the Gold State Coach. The coach, last seen during the Pageant of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022, was commissioned in 1760 and was first used by King George III, to travel to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762. The coach has been used at every Coronation since that of William IV in 1831. The coach will be drawn by eight Windsor Greys and, due to its weight of four tonnes, will travel at walking pace.

At Buckingham Palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.

Buckingham Palace

Sunday 7th May 2023

The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

On Sunday 7th May, a special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle. in the ancient town of Windsor, some 25 miles from London. Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC, the UK's national television broadcaster, the Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion. 

Attended by a public audience including volunteers from The King and The Queen Consort’s many charity affiliations, the concert will see a world-class orchestra play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by some of the world’s biggest entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance. The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen. 

Windsor Castle

Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir. This diverse group has been created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers. The Coronation Choir will appear alongside The Virtual Choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth, for a special performance on the night.

The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

The Coronation Big Lunch  

Neighbours and communities across the United Kingdom are being invited to gather to share food and fun at Coronation Big Lunches on Sunday 7th May, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. From a cup of tea with a neighbour to a street party, a Coronation Big Lunch will bring the celebrations to the heart of local neighbourhoods.

© VisitBritain / David Shepherd

Thousands of events are expected to take place in every corner of the United Kingdom this May as people take to their streets, gardens, parks and community spaces to join the Coronation celebrations and mark this historic occasion.

Monday 8th May 2023 

The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out will be held on Monday 8th May and is being organised by The Together Coalition with a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom. The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation.

In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.

© VisitBritain / David Shepherd

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: “After the sadness of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last year, the country is now looking forward to the Coronation of the new King and Queen Consort. We are sure there will be a tremendous party atmosphere across the UK as people come together to celebrate – no one does royal spectaculars like the Brits, so it is sure to be a truly memorable occasion!”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tour of Britain’s royal palaces and historic buildings, following in the footsteps of centuries of kings and queens, please do contact our friendly team today.