British Values: King Charles's coronation weekend
Photo image: Handout/Hugo Burnand/Buckingham Palace//Getty Images
King Charles III's Coronation will be held on Saturday 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London, but why is it so special?
This is a historic event for Britain as it is the first to take place in nearly 70 years following the late Queen's long reign. The King will be aged 74 at the time of the ceremony and will be the oldest a new monarch has ever been crowned.
"Across the Coronation Weekend, there will be further opportunities for people to come together in celebration of the historic occasion."
King Charles III is already the UK’s King as he ascended to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the 8th of September 2022. The coronation event marks the formal investiture of the King’s regal power.
You might think you are used to royal celebrations and jubilee parties, but it's been many years since we've seen a coronation which is a very different affair. King Charles III's coronation is likely to be filled full of the royal pageantry that the British are famous for, but it is also a deeply religious occasion, steeped in centuries-old traditions that, to some, might seem out of place in 2023.
The coronations ceremony normally consists of a medieval oath, holy oil poured onto a 12th Century spoon, and a 700-year-old chair housing a stone that legend says roared when it recognised the rightful monarch. If all of this sounds like something strange, it's because coronation ceremonies in the UK have changed little over the past 1,000 years. By law, we do not need them, but they're a symbolic gesture that formalises the monarch's commitment to the role.
Read more about the ceremony and its history here (BBC News)
To celebrate the Coronation, it has been confirmed that an extra bank holiday will take place on Monday 8th May 2023 – two days after the official ceremony.
King Charles III's Coronation Emblem revealed
Buckingham Palace unveiled King Charles III's official Coronation Emblem, celebrating the historic beginning of the new reign.
The graphic, designed by Sir Jony Ive using an iPhone, pays tribute to the King's love of the natural world. (ABC news)
Featuring Union Jack colours, it depicts the flora of the four nations in the shape of St Edward's Crown: the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales and the shamrock of Northern Ireland.
Watch this video to learn more about the emblem and its meaning.
The emblem will feature throughout the historic celebrations in May, including the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey, Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, street parties, and community gatherings around the country. It will also be used for all official merchandise featuring on mugs, plates and tea towels.
Official Coronation invitation: details and design
The official invitation for King Charles III's Coronation was designed by heraldic artist Andrew Jamieson, the original artwork for the invitation was hand-painted in watercolour and gouache.
It features the motif of the Green Man – an ancient figure from British folklore, symbolic of spring and rebirth – to celebrate the new reign. Crowned in natural foliage, the Green Man is formed of leaves of oak, ivy and hawthorn and the emblematic flowers of the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, a British wildflower meadow borders the invitation, featuring lily of the valley (Queen Elizabeth II's favourite flower), cornflowers, wild strawberries, dog roses, bluebells, and a sprig of rosemary for remembrance.
The border also includes a bee, butterfly, ladybird, wren and robin to celebrate the King's love of nature.
Read more about the design here. (Royal.UK)
How will it all happen and how to get involved.
Saturday 6th May, 2023
The Coronation Service will take place on the morning (11am) of Saturday 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey. The King and the Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as 'The King's Procession'. Following the ceremony (said to be 1 hour long), the King and Queen Consort will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as 'The Coronation Procession'. They will be joined in this procession by other members of the Royal Family. The day will end with the Royal Family appearing on the balcony.
How to watch the Coronation
The BBC will cover all of the ceremonial events. Coverage will include the military movements, formal processions, service at Westminster Abbey, the atmosphere on the streets of London, the balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace, and much more.
You can watch the King's Coronation on:
BBC One
BBC Two
BBC iPlayer / YouTube
ITV
Sky
There will also be accessible coverage for people who are blind or partially sighted on Red Button
In London, members of the public can watch the events on big screens in St. James's Park, Green Park and Hyde Park.
Further big screens will also be set up across the country, including Birmingham Centenary Square, Belfast City Hall and Cardiff Castle.
Sunday 7th May, 2023
On Sunday 7th May 2023, a special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle. The concert will be attended by members of the public, as well as charities supported by the Monarch. During this concert, there will also be a special 'Lighting up the Nation' segment, which will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the UK are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.
The is also the Coronation Big Lunch, where people across the UK are invited to hold street parties to garden get-togethers are invited to share food and fun together!
Monday 8th May, 2023
The Big Help Out will be held on the additional bank holiday. Organised by The Together Coalition and 25 of the UK's biggest charities, The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. You can take part by rolling up your sleeves to help a local group, to volunteering at a food bank, or donate money to a charity.
This is a great chance to lend a hand in your local area!
Read more about The Big Help out here (The Big Help Out)
