King Charles' coronation will take place next month, with preparations underway for the historic occasion.
King Charles ascended the throne in September following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. During the coronation, which will be held at Westminster Abbey, he will officially be crowned as a monarch, alongside his wife Camilla.
The coronation will be Britain's first in 70 years. The Queen herself was just 25 years old when she was crowned at a ceremony in Westminster Abbey on 2 June, 1953. When his coronation takes place this spring King Charles will be 74, making him the oldest person to be crowned in British history.
The coronation will take place on Saturday May 6, with the following Monday, May 8, declared as a bank holiday, creating a three-day weekend. Musicians and stars will also descend on Windsor Castle for the coronation concert which will be broadcast live on the BBC. Meanwhile tens of thousands of street parties are expected to be staged during the weekend, with people urged to come together across the nation for the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday May 7.
During the coronation, the King will be anointed with vegan-friendly holy oil and will also receive the orb, coronation ring and sceptre. He will be crowned with the majestic St Edward’s Crown and blessed during the historic ceremony.
Meanwhile, the title Queen Camilla was used for the first time in an official capacity, appearing on invitations for the King’s coronation. Camilla had been referred to as Queen Consort since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, but is named as Queen Camilla alongside King Charles III on the invites due to be sent to more than 2,000 guests.
Future king Prince George will also play an important role in the coronation of his grandfather alongside seven schoolboys, with all named as Pages of Honour who will “attend their majesties during the coronation service”. The group are either family friends or close relatives of Charles and Camilla, including three of the Queen’s grandchildren, and will be expected to carry the robes of prominent figures during the day.
First Lady Jill Biden has been the latest guest confirmed for the coronation. In a statement, the White House said the President told the King his wife would attend the coronation in May on behalf of the US.
The statement said: “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today (Thursday April 6) with King Charles III, underscoring the strength of the relationship between our countries and the friendship between our peoples. The President congratulated the King on his upcoming Coronation and informed him that First Lady Jill Biden looks forward to attending on behalf of the United States.
“The President also conveyed his desire to meet with the King in the United Kingdom at a future date.”
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