Q&A: Why is there a coronation and what exactly is happening?
The historic ceremony – steeped in 1,000 years of history – is taking place in London on May 6.
King Charles III’s coronation is the first to be staged in Britain for 70 years.
Here is the lowdown on the big day.
– When and where is the coronation?
May 6 in Westminster Abbey in central London, with the ceremony beginning at 11am.
– What will happen during the coronation?
The King will be anointed with holy oil and crowned with the St Edward’s Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of 2,000 guests.
– Why does there have to be a coronation?
Tradition, as a way of celebrating a new monarch.
But it also has a deeply religious significance – the anointing of the King with holy oil during the Anglican service signals he has been chosen by God to be monarch.
– So is Charles not King yet?
He is already King. He acceded to the throne as the sovereign the moment his mother Queen Elizabeth II died in September.
– Why did he not have a coronation straight away?
It takes a long time to plan. The coronation is also a moment of pageantry and celebration – very different from the mourning period which followed the late Queen’s death.
– How much is it going to cost?
Millions. Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation cost £912,000 – £20.5 million in today’s money, while George VI’s 1937 ceremony cost £454,000 – which would have come to £24.8 million in 2023.
– And who will foot the bill?
The British taxpayer. A coronation is a state occasion paid for by the Government. The taxpayer will also pay for the security costs involved.
– Do we get a day off?
Yes. There is an extra bank holiday in the UK on May 8 to celebrate.
– Are the pubs open later?
Pubs, clubs and bars are allowed to stay open for an extra two hours from May 5 until May 7, closing at 1am instead of 11pm.
– Will Camilla be crowned as well?
