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King Charles's coronation weekend schedule: a day-by-day guide to the celebrations

Your guide to all of the celebrations for King Charles's coronation from 6 to 8 May


King Charles
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: 21 April 2023
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King Charles's coronation is less than two weeks away and excitement is growing for all the pomp and ceremony, and the forthcoming street parties.

The historic event will take place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May with members of the royal family, foreign royals, dignitaries, and charitable associations all in attendance.

Ahead of the day, Buckingham Palace has released details about the Crown Jewels that will be used during the ancient ceremony, as well as the carriages that the King and Queen Consort will travel to and from Buckingham Palace in.

Here's where you can spot the royals on the procession route…

The Prince and Princess of Wales's eldest child, Prince George, has been given a starring role as well as the Queen Consort's grandsons and her younger sister.

With celebrations taking across the three-day weekend, here's your day-by-day guide to the coronation.

Saturday 6 May – Coronation Day

The coronation service will start at Westminster Abbey at 11am, with the King and Queen Consort travelling from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.

The actual ceremony is expected to last just over an hour.  

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Charles and Camilla travelled in the Diamond Jubilee State Carriage with the late Queen for the State Opening of Parliament in 2019© Getty
Charles and Camilla will travel to the ceremony in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach

A newly crowned Charles and Camilla will travel 1.3 miles back in the Gold State Coach after the ceremony, reversing their outward journey as they wave to the crowds, with the King wearing the Imperial State Crown. They will be joined by members of the royal family in the coronation procession.

The King and Queen Consort will also receive a royal salute in the Buckingham Palace gardens from the military troops on parade.

The King and Queen Consort will return to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach© Getty
The King and Queen Consort will return to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach

They will take the salute from the West Terrace after the ceremony and the servicemen and women will give three cheers – a special coronation tribute from the Armed Forces to the couple.

The King and Queen Consort are then expected to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside working members of the royal family.

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Sunday 7 May – The Big Lunch and Coronation Concert

People are invited to gather for a "coronation big lunch" on Sunday, overseen and organised by the Big Lunch team at the Eden Project.

The Queen Consort has been patron of the Big Lunch since 2013.

Take That will perform at the coronation concert© Getty
Take That will perform at the coronation concert

In the evening at 8pm, a star-studded concert will take place on the East Lawn at Windsor Castle.

Among the performers confirmed are Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as a 74-piece classical ensemble formed from the strings of the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra and woodwind, brass and percussion sections from the Bands of the Household Division.

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Katy Perry and Prince Charles in 2020© Getty
Katy Perry is an ambassador of The British Asian Trust

The 300-strong Coronation Choir, made up of performers from different backgrounds including Gaelic speakers, deaf and refugee singers, Northern Irish farmers and London cabbies, will also take to the stage.

The royals, including Sarah, Duchess of York, will be in attendance along with a 20,000 strong crowd.

Monday 8 May – The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out will take place on Monday May 8, a bank holiday, and aims to inspire and recruit a new generation of volunteers by showing how easy it is to get involved.

Opportunities include a chance to volunteer with the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, Guide Dogs and the smallest local volunteering groups.

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