King Charles III’s coronation is scheduled for this spring and it’s going to be a fascinating and unforgettable experience for so many people in the UK and around the world.
Some elements of the coronation will be highly exclusive and only attended by an important few, but the whole process will be broadcast live on TV for all to see. However, if you want to get a real taste of the coronation experience then you might want to visit London for the bank holiday weekend to soak up the atmosphere.
Below we answer some of the key questions to help you plan your visit to the capital.
King Charles III’s coronation is scheduled to take place on Saturday 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in Central London.
The coronation ceremony is just one part of the proceedings, which will also include a procession to and from Buckingham Palace, as well as other events that weekend. The King will be joined by other members of the Royal Family and is likely to be escorted by thousands of participants during the processions.
Unfortunately, the actual ceremony is usually only attended by members of the Royal Family, world leaders, politicians, representatives and other invitees. For members of the public who don’t want to watch it all on TV, however, there are a few events you can try to squeeze into your London itinerary.
The main attraction for the public is likely to be watching the King’s procession on The Mall and around Central London whilst on their way to and from Westminster Abbey. There will surely be thousands of people lining up to get a glimpse of the proceedings, so you may have to arrive quite early to secure a good spot. The same goes for the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance that is so iconic of British Royal Family heritage.
In other locations, there will be a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle which is using a ballot system to allocate tickets – so enter now to have a chance to experience that!
In general, many places around London will have a fantastic buzz and you should be able to experience some magical atmospheres wherever you go in the capital.
Competition for London transport and accommodation is already very intense when there aren’t any special events on, let alone when there’s a once-in-a-lifetime coronation.
As such, you should book transport and accommodation as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Many central locations such as Waterloo may have limited availability already, so you might have to look further out of the city.
Transport is going to be hectic on coronation weekend and prices may be increased with demand, so plan your trip well in advance and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
