Coronation for King Charles III-- how will it be different?

[SvenskaSarah]

Has a Queen Mother from another monarchy attended a previous British coronation?

Yes, consorts are not the reigning monarch.  Maud of Norway attended the 1937 coronation, in a first.  I believe it was to show solidarity after the abdication.

Unless Charles has torn up the rule book re inviting Albert (though I wonder if his difference is that he is a HSH not a King?) It will be interesting to see whom attends the coronation on behalf of Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. I would presume Elisabeth and Amalia are too young/inexperienced to attend solo, and Leonor certainly is. My guess would be that Beatrix (unless Max pulls rank to bring out the OTT sparkles), Mathilde and Queen Sofia will be attending, perhaps accompanied by the three heiresses?

[Kristallinchen]

Has a Queen Mother from another monarchy attended a previous British coronation?

Yes, consorts are not the reigning monarch.  Maud of Norway attended the 1937 coronation, in a first.  I believe it was to show solidarity after the abdication.

Unless Charles has torn up the rule book re inviting Albert (though I wonder if his difference is that he is a HSH not a King?) It will be interesting to see whom attends the coronation on behalf of Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. I would presume Elisabeth and Amalia are too young/inexperienced to attend solo, and Leonor certainly is. My guess would be that Beatrix (unless Max pulls rank to bring out the OTT sparkles), Mathilde and Queen Sofia will be attending, perhaps accompanied by the three heiresses?

Probably a dumb question, but where does this tradition originate from? Is it about precedence? Because they don't know how to do the seating arrangements?

[SvenskaSarah]

Has a Queen Mother from another monarchy attended a previous British coronation?

Yes, consorts are not the reigning monarch.  Maud of Norway attended the 1937 coronation, in a first.  I believe it was to show solidarity after the abdication.

Unless Charles has torn up the rule book re inviting Albert (though I wonder if his difference is that he is a HSH not a King?) It will be interesting to see whom attends the coronation on behalf of Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. I would presume Elisabeth and Amalia are too young/inexperienced to attend solo, and Leonor certainly is. My guess would be that Beatrix (unless Max pulls rank to bring out the OTT sparkles), Mathilde and Queen Sofia will be attending, perhaps accompanied by the three heiresses?

Probably a dumb question, but where does this tradition originate from? Is it about precedence? Because they don't know how to do the seating arrangements?

Not a dumb question, I've been wondering about it too. My initial thought was perhaps it stems from the days the Crown was fraught so having other monarchs there could be dangerous  perhaps Oh_Caroline or luvcharles could give us some answers?

[whiplashhx]

From The Sun.. Not shocked tbh but the memes that would have come from him wearing that would have been great  

King Charles will make major change to Coronation and will not wear old-fashioned costume on historic day

KING Charles has been told to break with centuries of tradition and drop the wearing of silk stockings and breeches at his Coronation.

The monarch, 74, has opted to wear military uniform instead when he is crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6. A source said: “Senior aides think breeches look too dated.” The King wants his Coronation to represent the “modern 21st century monarchy” so will not wear old fashioned stockings and breeches. Although Charles, 74, was prepared to put on the garb his grandfather and great-grandfather wore to be crowned, his aides reckon it would look outdated.

But dismissing claims the Coronation at Westminster Abbey will be a “scaled down affair”, sources have promised a glittering ceremony that will “knock your socks off”. An insider said: “Though some of the more long-winded elements of the Coronation will be moved aside or modernised, the King was happy to wear the breeches and stockings. But in discussion with senior aides they are saying he should not wear them, so will arrive in a military uniform instead. It is largely to do with modernising the Coronation and stripping away the stuffiness. They think having a 74-year-old King arriving in stockings and breeches in 2023 looks too dated. They are probably right.”

Charles’s grandfather King George VI, great-grandfather King George V and great-great- grandfather King Edward VII are recorded wearing the old-fashioned get-up. But the tradition is believed to go back even further. Charles is expected to arrive in a military uniform, possibly of the Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore to the State Opening of Parliament last May. He will also be dressed at the ceremony in ermine fur and will wear both the Imperial State Crown and St Edward’s Crown at different points. It has not yet been confirmed which crown will be used for Queen Consort Camilla.

There were claims the ceremony will be “scaled down” compared to his mother’s in 1953, but The Sun understands this is far from the truth. Another source said: “There is a myth taking hold that it’s going to be smaller. It will be slightly different, but in terms of scale and spectacle it will knock your socks off.” The ceremony is set to be cut down from the late Queen’s three-hour Coronation to around 90 minutes to two hours. And the abbey is expected to hold around 2,000 rather than the 8,000 it did in 1953.


Although the guest list will be managed by the government in discussions with the King’s closest aides, Charles has the power to invite family members. The government has set up a budget, but the King is keen to ensure the ceremony does not appear too lavish at a time of financial uncertainty. But it will be a spectacular and memorable celebration, it is understood. The Gold State Coach is also set to reappear on London’s streets. The procession is planned to be shorter than previous ones, though there will be a flypast while the royals are on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The Sun understands a slimmed-down guest list means only top Cabinet ministers, senior Privy Councillors and opposition chiefs will likely make the cut. Bad blood is already simmering after dozens of ex-ministers missed out on a seat at the Queen’s funeral in September. A Whitehall source said: “There’s going to be a lot of upset when people see the guest list. Lots of political bigwigs will be left watching on TV.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/...hange-coronation-costume/

[Aubiette]

Coronation Weekend plans announced

Published 21 January 2023
Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce further details on the ceremonial, celebratory and community events that will take place over the Coronation Weekend between Saturday 6th and Monday 8th May 2023.

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, 2023. The Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As previously announced, the Service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.

Across the Coronation Weekend, there will be further opportunities for people to come together in celebration of the historic occasion. On Sunday, 7th May 2023, a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC and BBC Studios, with several thousand pairs of tickets to be made available via public ballot.

The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country on the same date. On Monday, 8th May 2023, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, families and communities across the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Their Majesties are looking forward to marking the occasion with the public throughout 2023.

Saturday 6th May 2023

The Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey

The Coronation Service will take place on the morning of Saturday, 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey. The Coronation is a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry.

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’.

After the Service, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Their Majesties will be joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family.

At Buckingham Palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.

Sunday 7th May 2023

The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

On Sunday, 7th May 2023, a special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle. Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, the Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion.

Attended by a public audience including volunteers from The King and The Queen Consort’s many charity affiliations, the concert will see a world-class orchestra play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by some of the world’s biggest entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance. The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen.

Through a national ballot held by the BBC, several thousand members of the public will be selected to receive a pair of free tickets for the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.

Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will also see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir. This diverse group will be created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom, such as Refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs. A new documentary exploring the formation of The Coronation Choir will tell the stories of the people representing the many faces and voices of the country. The Coronation Choir will appear alongside The Virtual Choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth, for a special performance on the night.

The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

The Coronation Concert will be produced by BBC Studios, broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Further details about the concert, the national ticket ballot and the line-up will be released in due course.

The Coronation Big Lunch 

Neighbours and communities across the United Kingdom are invited to share food and fun together at Coronation Big Lunches on Sunday 7th May 2023, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. From a cup of tea with a neighbour to a street party, a Coronation Big Lunch brings the celebrations to your neighbourhood and is a great way to get to know your community a little better.

The Coronation Big Lunch will be overseen and organised by the Big Lunch team at the Eden Project. The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by The National Lottery, that brings millions of people together annually to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes. Her Majesty The Queen Consort has been Patron of the Big Lunch since 2013.

Thousands of events are expected to take place in every corner of the United Kingdom this May as people take to their streets, gardens, parks and community spaces to join the Coronation celebrations and mark this historic occasion.

Free downloadable resources will also be made available online by the Big Lunch team at CoronationBigLunch.com, to help people and communities start their Coronation Big Lunch planning.

Monday 8th May 2023

The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out will be held on Monday, 8th May 2023 and is being organised by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom. The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation.

In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.
https://www.royal.uk/coro...n-weekend-plans-announced

[ralf103]

https://www.royal.uk/coro...n-weekend-plans-announced

[bumbershoot]

So far sounds pretty good. I wonder how long ago planning began for this?   I really like the idea of the massed choir because I know how much Charles loves good music.

[Booklover]

I hope they sing Handel's coronation anthem. It's so beautiful and he is buried at the Abbey.

[genegal43]

It's nice to see the plans are coming together!

[bumbershoot]

I wonder will there be a point in the ceremony at which the peers all don their coronets?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XxkcTx_PE

[PruNordstrom]

Wanted to say that this whole thread/subject has been a lesson in a modern interpretation of the coronation - and I appreciate it. Thanks to all who have posted so far and .... please continue my education.

[Lady Liebe]

I hope we get a dramatic beacon lighting ala HLM's Platinum Jubilee. 

I am intersted to see what the family does with The Big Help Out - which I think is a marvelous idea. I could see Charles and Cams visiting different organizations, and I would really love to see Will and Catherine taking the children and doing hands on volunteering that day.

It would be great to see the whole family, working and non working (sans he who lives at Royal Lodge) take part.

[fairy]

Has a Queen Mother from another monarchy attended a previous British coronation?

Yes, consorts are not the reigning monarch.  Maud of Norway attended the 1937 coronation, in a first.  I believe it was to show solidarity after the abdication.

Though of course Maud was the new kinds direct aunt, so there was a family connection while today none is that close...

Probably a dumb question, but where does this tradition originate from? Is it about precedence? Because they don't know how to do the seating arrangements?

I believe it is the idea that the new monarch should be the highest royal present. Which wouldn't be the case, if there was another king or Queen.

[Lady Liebe]

Has a Queen Mother from another monarchy attended a previous British coronation?

Yes, consorts are not the reigning monarch.  Maud of Norway attended the 1937 coronation, in a first.  I believe it was to show solidarity after the abdication.

Though of course Maud was the new kinds direct aunt, so there was a family connection while today none is that close...

Probably a dumb question, but where does this tradition originate from? Is it about precedence? Because they don't know how to do the seating arrangements?

I believe it is the idea that the new monarch should be the highest royal present. Which wouldn't be the case, if there was another king or Queen.

In other words, don't rain on their parade. Makes sense.

[Emac0914]

So far sounds pretty good. I wonder how long ago planning began for this?   I really like the idea of the massed choir because I know how much Charles loves good music.

That is one great thing we can count on - Charles does have excellent taste in music.