The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla

Bank Holiday and Events

The UK government has declared a bank holiday on Monday, May 8th, 2023, to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla. The government has organised a series of events across the country to mark the occasion, including a concert and laser light show at Windsor Castle on Sunday, May 7th. Pubs and bars will also have extended opening hours on Friday and Saturday, and people are encouraged to hold street parties and take part in community projects as part of the Big Help Out initiative. This will be a time for people to come together and celebrate the new King and Queen and show their support for the monarchy.

Music and Bells

The music that will be played during the coronation ceremony has been carefully selected by King Charles III himself. The ceremony will feature 12 newly-commissioned pieces, including an anthem by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The music will be a mix of traditional and contemporary styles and will include Welsh and Greek Orthodox music, as well as gospel and classical music. Soloists will include the world-famous Welsh opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel, and choristers from Westminster School. A "Ring for the King" campaign has also been launched to recruit thousands of bell-ringers to mark the occasion. This is a unique opportunity for people across the country to come together and celebrate the new King and Queen.

Guest List

The guest list for the coronation is being curated by the UK government. This is a state occasion, and the government has control over who will attend. In addition to the Royal Family, attendees will include the prime minister, representatives from the Houses of Parliament, heads of state, and other royals from around the world. It is likely that the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated on this occasion will be around 2,200, which is the normal capacity of Westminster Abbey. More than 8,000 guests attended Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, but the abbey had to be closed for five months to allow extra seating to be built. The guest list is an important part of the ceremony, and it will be interesting to see who will attend.

Crowns

To avoid any controversy or negative attention during the ceremony, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Koh-i-Noor will not feature in King Charles III's coronation. Instead, the focus will be on the other crowns that will be worn, particularly St Edward's Crown, which is a symbol of the continuity of the monarchy.

The Koh-i-Noor is part of the Queen Mother's coronation crown and is one of the largest-cut diamonds in the world. The diamond has a long and complex history, and several countries, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, have all made claims to it.

The crowns that will be worn during the coronation are a significant symbol of the monarchy. King Charles III will be crowned with the solid gold, 17th Century, St Edward's Crown, which weighs almost 5 pounds and is exceptionally heavy. This crown is only used at the moment of coronation. Queen Camilla will be crowned with Queen Mary's Crown, which is a much lighter and smaller crown. This crown has been taken out of the Tower of London to be resized ahead of the ceremony, and it is thought to be the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be "recycled" for a coronation.

Broadcast

The coronation ceremony is likely to be broadcast live, as was Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. This will allow people across the UK and around the world to watch the ceremony and be a part of this historic occasion. The live broadcast will be an opportunity for people to witness the crowning of the new King and Queen and to see the various events that will take place throughout the weekend.

Cost

As a state occasion, the UK government will be responsible for the cost of the coronation. The exact cost of the coronation has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be a significant amount of money. There has been some criticism of the cost, particularly given the current cost-of-living crisis in the UK. However, the government has defended the cost, arguing that the coronation is an important opportunity to showcase the UK to the world and to demonstrate the country's commitment to the monarchy.