As the country gets ready to celebrate the coronation of King Charles lll in a sea of red, white and blue, preparations are also under way to erect big outdoor screens so that people can come together to watch the ceremony.
The big day is Saturday, May 6 when His Majesty the King will be crowned in Westminster Abbey, alongside Camilla as Her Majesty The Queen Consort in a service set to attract a worldwide TV audience. And the grand event will be screened live at various locations across the region for those keen to get out of the house and mingle with others to feel part of the historic occasion.
The big Bank Holiday weekend celebrations include the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, with the likes of Katy Perry, Take That and Lionel Richie taking to the stage, and several locations are planning to screen this too.
Read more: Things to do around the Newcastle and the North East to celebrate the Coronation
Sunday is also the day of the Big Lunch initiative, when it is hoped people will continue the party atmosphere by enjoying picnics with family and friends, and then Bank Holiday Monday will be The Big Help Out Initiative, a day designated for volunteering opportunities to continue the mood of goodwill.
The Government has made money available to install big screens in public places so that as many people as possible can come together at official sites to watch the coronation events live and for free. Below is our guide to where people in the North East can go to join in.
We have included options in Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland and Durham - plus a couple of extra choices - so that people can find one nearest to them. And look out too for some spectacular red, white and blue light shows around the coronation as lots of local landmarks will be illuminated as part of the celebrations, including Newcastle Civic Centre, the Tyne Bridge, Durham Cathedral and Durham Town Hall.
King Charles Coronation screenings in the North East
Northumberland
Alnwick Castle - in collaboration with Northumberland County Council, the castle will be screening Saturday's coronation as well as Sunday's concert for free although spaces must be booked.
It has announced a 10am-2pm programme of events on May 6, with a big screen set up in the Outer Bailey area, against the backdrop of the castle, to follow the action from The King's Procession from Buckingham Palace then the 11am Westminster Abbey service followed by the Coronation Procession and the Royal Family's appearance on the palace balcony.
The event, with gates opening at 10am, is free but those tickets, which will be limited, must be pre-booked. Guests can take along a blanket or chair for the lawn and there will be a variety of food trucks on-site selling treats and drinks. For information about reserving a spot see here. Some tickets will also allow access to the castle and its state rooms.
Then on Sunday, celebrations will continue from 6pm until 10pm for a 'live viewing party' as the concert gets under way. See here to book.
Northumberland County Council says up to 1,500 people are expected to attend on both days and, on the coronation day, it has invited 500 'community heroes' - volunteers who have made a difference locally - to be among them. Coun Jeff Watson said: “I am really pleased that we are able to mark this once-in-a-generation celebration by bringing together those who have given so much to their communities.”
Other plans for the weekend include screenings and activities in libraries across the county. For more information about Northumberland's coronation events see here.
Newcastle
Times Square - a screen in the city centre square will be broadcasting the day's action for free on Saturday from 9.30am until 4pm, with the service itself due to start at 11am following the arrival of the royal procession from Buckingham Palace. People are then invited to attend another free screening on Sunday, from 8pm, to watch the Coronation Concert live from Windsor Castle.
City and Fenham libraries are also due to screen the coronation. Newcastle City Library has a royal link too, having been opened by the late Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in 2009.
Newcastle City Council says street parties and community events will be taking place across the city to mark the historic occasion and residents will receive 'sweet treats' as part of its Meals at Home service. Libraries are to hold coffee mornings and children’s craft sessions, while ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend local pupils are having coronation-theme menus at schools.
Michelle Percy, 'director of place' at the council, said: "We know there is a huge affection for the royal family and we have had the honour of welcoming King Charles to the city on many occasions throughout the years. We are absolutely delighted to be broadcasting the coronation ceremony in Times Square, alongside lots of other exciting events which are being held across the city."
Sunderland
Keel Square in the city centre will be hosting live action from 10am until 4pm.
Big sceenings will be taking place at five other locations across Sunderland. For information on the city's plans to celebrate see here.
Hylton Castle in Castletown
Rectory Park in Houghton
Barnes Park
Town Moor, East End
The Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington
Durham
Durham University - people are invited to come together to watch the coronation on a big screen being set up by the university in its marquee right next to Durham City Rugby Football Club. Arrival will be from 10am, with plans to have everyone seated in the marquee by 11am for the start of the service.
The event, running until 4pm, also will include family entertainment and, while no alcohol will be allowed, people can take along picnics and soft drinks. The screening will be free but tickets are required and can be ordered here. Note this event is now booked up.
For information about Durham County Council's coronation celebrations see here.
Market Square, Darlington - in another of the free, public events, the town centre has been picked as one of the official screening sites and it will be live-broadcasting both the coronation ceremony on May 6 and the Coronation Concert on May 7.
As part of a paid-for special coronation event, the South Causey Inn in County Durham is also screening the ceremony, alongside attractions including a brass band, afternoon tea and drinks: find more information in our coronation events round-up here.
The coronation also will be broadcast live from Westminster Abbey - where the late Queen was herself crowned 70 years ago - on BBC1 and iPlayer.
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