The King's coronation is right around the corner with many already getting ready to fill the streets of London to watch the highly-anticipated procession.
On Saturday, May 6, King Charles III will officially be crowned King while his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, will become Queen. The lead-up to the ceremony is one of the most important for members of the public as they will be able to catch a glimpse of the King in person for the first time after he received the crown.
However, the procession has a very strict plan and short route which means it may be difficult to get a front-row seat. It may help you even the odds if you become familiar with the procession route.
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The King and Queen will leave Buckingham Palace at 10.20 to begin the 33 minute journey to Westminster Abbey. The route the monarch and his consort will follow – The Mall, Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square – will be lined by more than 1,000 servicemen and women spaced at intervals of five paces.
The Sovereign’s Escort will be led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment band, 48 horses and musicians with their two drum horse, Atlas and Apollo, at the front.
Following will be four mounted divisions from the Household Cavalry, with the King’s coach in the middle, two from the Blues and Royals taking the lead, the Life Guards behind the carriage and farriers carrying their axes at the rear.
The return coronation procession will form up while the King and Queen are crowned, with the front at the top of The Mall while the rear will be at the Abbey.
After the procession has concluded, members of the public will be able to make their own way up to The Mall where they are expected to fill up the area surrounding the Queen Victoria Memorial directly opposite the Palace.
For a full breakdown on what will happen throughout the day so you can prepare for the procession read the Coronation timetable below...
What will happen throughout the Coronation Day?
- 6am - The big day begins early, as viewing areas open along the procession route. Westminster Abbey guests arrive at security checkpoints in Victoria Tower Gardens between 7.15am and 8.30am.
- 9.30am to 10.45am - Heads of state, overseas government representatives, Government ministers, first ministers, former PMs, foreign royals and members of the royal family will arrive between .
- 10.20am - The King and Queen Consort’s procession will set off from Buckingham Palace, arriving at Westminster Abbey at 10.53am.
- 11am - The service will begin, lasting for two hours, with the key moment coming at midday when the King is crowned.
- 1.33pm - Charles and Camilla arrive back at Buckingham Palace after embarking on their coronation procession in the Gold State Coach. Charles and Camilla will receive a royal salute from the military in the palace gardens at 1.45pm.
- 2.15pm- The King and Queen will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony, accompanied by other members of the royal family to watch a flypast.
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