A bank holiday for King Charles' coronation is still "on the table", Downing Street said today despite sources saying it was highly unlikely.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted "all options remain on the table" after MPs called for Brits to get a day off.
Buckingham Palace last night announced the new King will be crowned at Westminster Abbey alongside his wife Camilla on Saturday, May 6 next year.
The Mirror revealed that after high level discussions with the government, taking in a range of factors including clashes with sporting events, the availability of Westminster Abbey and the Archbishop of Canterbury and even the likelihood of favourable weather conditions, ministers agreed it was "highly unlikely" there will be any extra time off.
But overnight MPs led calls for a bank holiday - including the option of moving the pre-existing bank holiday of May 1 back one week to create a three-day weekend.
Tory former Cabinet minister David Jones told the Daily Mail: "To combine the two events would be welcomed by the entire nation.
"It would make a very special memory for all of us."
His comments were echoed by former Labour frontbencher Khalid Mahmood, who said: "We can move the holiday back to the coronation weekend.
"We have a unique system with the monarchy and an independent parliament - I would back Britons having a three-day weekend to mark the occasion."
The PM's official spokesman said: “This will be a historic event, celebrated by millions across the country. We are carefully considering plans now that the Palace has confirmed the date.
"I don’t have the full details for you at this point."
Asked if a bank holiday was possible, the spokesman replied: “Yes, all options remain on the table to recognise this hugely significant event for the UK.”
Asked if that could include moving the May 1 bank holiday he replied: “We’re considering all options. The date was confirmed at 6pm yesterday so we will update as soon as we can.”
Keir Starmer's spokesman also backed the idea of a bank holiday.
He said: "I think that would be a good way for the country to be able to celebrate the coronation.
"Obviously it's all a conversation to happen between the Government and the Palace as to what to would be appropriate but moving the May bank holiday forward or back... to that weekend would be a good idea."
