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King Charles's coronation: Royal fans concerned following palace update

The historic event will take place on 6 May


King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in Manchester© Getty
Gemma Strong
Online Digital News Director
April 10, 2023
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With less than a month until King Charles's coronation, new details about the historic event have been released by Buckingham Palace.

From the carriages to the priceless crown jewels chosen for the day, there are plenty of updates for royal fans to pour over. Discover some of the fascinating ancient traditions and rituals in our video below...

Ancient Coronation Traditions And Rituals

But there is one aspect of the coronation that has caused concern.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have decided to travel in a shorter procession route than the late Queen, and are also breaking tradition by only using the elaborate 260-year-old Gold State Coach one way – on their return.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla ahead of the state banquet in Germany© Samir Hussein
The King and Queen's coronation will take place on 6 May

The couple have personally decided to make the 1.3 mile outward journey – known as the King's Procession – from Buckingham Palace in the more modern, comfortable Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which has shock absorbers, heating and air conditioning.

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They will be escorted by The Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, and will travel down The Mall via Admiralty Arch, along the south side of Trafalgar Square, along Whitehall and Parliament Street, around the east and south sides of Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary to arrive at the Abbey ahead of the 11am ceremony.

The late Queen and Prince Philip in the Coronation Coach en route to Westminster Abbey for Elizabeth's coronation ceremony, 2nd June 1953© Norman Potter
The late Queen and Prince Philip en route to Westminster Abbey for Elizabeth's coronation ceremony, 2nd June 1953

The late Queen famously rode both ways in the Gold State Coach for her 1953 coronation, later describing the bumpy experience in the carriage, which is suspended on leather straps, as "horrible".

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Her outward procession was 1.6 miles long but her return procession was five miles, taking her down Piccadilly, along Oxford Street and Regent Street and Haymarket.

Crowds lining Pall Mall as Queen Elizabeth II passes on the way to her coronation ceremony.  © Central Press
Crowds lining Pall Mall as Queen Elizabeth II passes on the way to her coronation ceremony

It took two hours to complete, featured 16,000 participants and was designed to allow her to be seen by as many people as possible.

The newly-crowned Charles and Camilla will instead travel just 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.

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The decision to travel a shorter route has caused concern amongst royal fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple on the day.

King Charles and Camilla greeting royal well-wishers© Getty
King Charles and Camilla have decided on a shorter procession route

Vantage points will be in high demand and many are worried they will not have the chance to see the King and Queen, with thousands expected to travel to the capital to witness history being made.

The procession back will feature a cast of hundreds of members of the Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth and the British Overseas Territories, as well as the Sovereign's Bodyguard and Royal Watermen.

Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince Louis, Prince George and King Charles III attend the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2022 in Sandringham
It will be a historic day for the royal family

It will take longer than the royals' outward journey because the historic gilded carriage, which will be drawn by eight Windsor greys, is so heavy it has to travel at walking pace.

The priceless array of coronation regalia from the Crown Jewels which will be used during the religious service in the Abbey have also been confirmed.

It will include the Sovereign's Orb, the Golden Spurs, bracelets known as Armills, two maces, five symbolic swords, the Sovereign's Ring, the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove.

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