An extra May bank holiday has been announced to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty the King and the Royal Queen Consort, all part of a host of celebrations planned to usher in the new Monarch’s reign. And make no mistake, the country is ready to rejoice in this historic occasion, with revelry set to sweep the land in what promises to be a party for the ages!

Saturday 6th May

The official date is Saturday 6th, when, at 11 am, the investiture ceremony takes place at Westminster Abbey. The King and The Queen Consort will arrive as part of the King’s Procession from Buckingham Palace, which will be televised across the globe. The ceremony sees our new King crowned, in accordance to tradition, with the centuries old St. Edward's Crown, whilst Queen Camilla has chosen to wear Queen Mary’s crown. The music played will reflect Charles’ abiding love of all things classical, and will feature Andrew Lloyd Webber’s official coronation anthem. 

Sunday 7th may

On Sunday, the Prime Minister is holding the Big Lunch at Downing Street, where community volunteers from across the land will be wined, dined and thanked for their hard work and tireless commitment to civic advancement. At the same time, an equivalent Big Lunch will be held in towns and cities everywhere, and it’s almost hard to imagine the amount of food, cake and tea that’s going to be consumed, long into the evening! 

Meanwhile, the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle will also be in full swing, featuring an all-star lineup of global music icons and contemporary stars. There’ll be an exclusive appearance from the Coronation Choir, a group made up of the UK’s best community choirs, followed by the concert’s centrepiece, ‘Lighting Up the Nation’, as projections, drone displays and lasers illuminate iconic locations across the country. 

Monday 8th May 

The great news is that Monday is an official bank holiday, meaning that festivities can continue, but it’s also to be a day of public service, reflecting our new King’s dedication to inclusivity and social justice. The Big Help Out is specifically designed to inspire everyone to volunteer and make an effort to support those less fortunate than themselves. Organised by The Together Coalition, the aim is for the weekend as a whole to leave a lasting legacy, one of positivity, togetherness and hope for the future. 

As you can see, there’s going to be much to enjoy over the course of this most important and memorable event. The passing of Queen Elizabeth was a profound loss for the UK, but, looking ahead, we remain as strong, together and as impassioned as ever. So, go forth, socialise with friends and neighbours and enjoy the occasion! After all, it’s one for the history books.