All the Latest Details on King Charles III’s Coronation

The moment Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, Prince Charles immediately ascended as King Charles III. This automatic transition, referred to as the accession, is later commemorated with a formal ceremony.

While the accession ceremony is significant, it pales in comparison to the grandeur and scale of the coronation, which officially crowns the monarch. King Charles III’s coronation will span three days in May, and here’s what we’ve gathered about the event so far.

The coronation of King Charles III is set to occur on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

The coronation ceremony will commence on the morning of Saturday, May 6. King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will head “The King’s Procession” from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. During the religious service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, King Charles III will take the coronation oath, be crowned with St. Edward’s Crown, and hold the Coronation Regalia, including a jeweled scepter, orb, and spoon. Camilla will also be crowned as Queen Consort. Following the ceremony, the royal couple, along with other family members and dignitaries, will return to Buckingham Palace in the “Coronation Procession” and greet the public from the balcony.

2. King Charles III’s coronation is expected to be more modest and shorter than his mother’s.

During Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, additional seating was installed in the abbey to accommodate over 8000 attendees. Unless King Charles III opts for a similar setup (which is unlikely), the guest list will likely be limited to around 2000. However, the event will almost certainly be televised, continuing the tradition set by Elizabeth’s groundbreaking coronation.

In October, the Daily Mail reported that Charles’s coronation ceremony is anticipated to last just over an hour, significantly shorter than his mother’s three-hour event. This suggests that some traditions, such as the presentation of gold ingots, may be omitted. Additionally, the dress code might be less formal, with reports indicating that Charles could opt for his military uniform instead of the customary silk stockings and breeches.

3. A newly formed commission will oversee the selection of individuals for honorary roles.

Historically, the Court of Claims has been responsible for assigning honorary roles, such as carrying the Coronation Regalia, since the 14th century. For this coronation, the Cabinet Office has created a dedicated Coronation Claims Office to handle these responsibilities.

As stated in a press release, officials will collaborate with ecclesiastical specialists from Lambeth Palace and ceremonial advisors from the Royal Household to determine which roles to retain and who will fulfill them. To be eligible, applicants must provide evidence that the role “has historical precedence at prior coronations” and demonstrate a direct link to individuals who previously held the role.

4. A peaceful demonstration is being organized by an anti-monarchist organization.

The anti-monarchist group Republic intends to stage a peaceful protest against the coronation on May 6, near Westminster Abbey in Parliament Square. Republic’s CEO, Graham Smith, told Reuters, “The coronation symbolizes hereditary power and privilege, which is outdated in today’s society. Spending millions on this ceremonial event is an insult to those grappling with the cost-of-living crisis.”

5. A Coronation Concert will be held at Windsor Castle the day after the ceremony.

On the second day of coronation weekend, Sunday, a grand concert will take place at Windsor Castle. While the lineup of “global music icons and contemporary stars” is yet to be revealed, the palace has confirmed a performance by a special coronation choir, featuring singers from refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups, and deaf signing choirs. The event will also include a spectacular drone and laser light show. The BBC and BBC Studios will broadcast the concert and distribute thousands of tickets, though the selection process remains undisclosed.

6. Coronation Big Lunches will be organized across the UK.

Since 2009, the educational and social charity The Eden Project has organized The Big Lunch, an annual event where communities gather for a shared meal on a Sunday in June. To mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the charity held a special Big Jubilee Lunch and is now preparing a similar initiative for the coronation. Those interested in hosting a Coronation Big Lunch in their community can find guidance on how to begin here.

7. Monday, May 8, has been declared a bank holiday.

Monday, May 8, has been officially designated as a bank holiday. Those not required to work are encouraged to participate in community volunteering. This initiative, called The Big Help Out, reflects King Charles III’s dedication to public service and involves multiple organizations.

8. Camilla, Queen Consort, will don Queen Mary’s crown, but without its contentious diamond.

Instead of commissioning a new crown, Camilla will wear the one crafted for Queen Mary, George V’s queen consort, in 1911. However, modifications will be made: some arches will be removed, and the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond will be excluded. This 105.6-carat gem, originally taken from a young prince by the East India Company and gifted to Queen Victoria, has been part of British coronation crowns. Camilla’s crown will honor Queen Elizabeth II by incorporating the Cullinan III, IV, and V diamonds, which the late queen often wore as brooches.

9. The holy anointing oil for King Charles III’s coronation will be free of animal-derived ingredients.

During the coronation’s most sacred moment, Charles will be anointed with Chrism oil. Historically, this oil included ingredients from whales and civets, but the current formula is entirely animal-free. It primarily consists of olive oil, sourced from the Mount of Olives at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene—where Princess Alice, Charles’s grandmother, is buried—and is blended with essential oils like orange blossom, jasmine, rose, cinnamon, and sesame. It’s unclear whether this private ritual will be televised, as it was the only part of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation not broadcast.

10. The coronation invitation formally refers to Camilla as queen.

While Camilla has traditionally been titled queen consort, the official coronation invitation omits the “consort” designation, simply calling her queen. This aligns with Queen Elizabeth II’s wish for Camilla to be recognized as queen. This practice isn’t unprecedented; Prince Philip was technically prince consort, and George VI’s wife was known as Queen Elizabeth until her daughter’s coronation, after which she became queen mother.

The invitations, sent to approximately 2000 guests, are adorned with vibrant wildflowers, wildlife, and motifs from British folklore. They also include numerous royal symbols. The intricate designs were hand-painted by Andrew Jamieson, a heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator.

11. Some royal family members did not receive an invitation to the coronation.

King Charles III’s coronation will feature a more streamlined guest list compared to previous events. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, along with their children, are confirmed attendees. Prince Harry will also be present, though Meghan Markle will not, as the coronation coincides with their son’s birthday. While the king’s siblings received invitations, some relatives, such as Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip’s cousin and a former bridesmaid to Queen Elizabeth II, were not included.

Politicians and global leaders, including First Lady Jill Biden, are among the distinguished guests invited to the coronation. However, President Biden himself will not be in attendance.

The guest list isn’t limited to family and political figures; over 450 British Empire Medal recipients, honored for their exceptional contributions as volunteers, charity workers, and community leaders, will also attend the coronation.

This article, originally published in January 2023, has been revised to include the latest details about King Charles III’s coronation.