The Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday 6 May, with celebrations continuing over the bank holiday weekend.
From street parties to volunteering, there are plenty of ways for communities across the country to commemorate this historic occasion.
A new era
His Majesty The King took to the throne on 8 September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, just a few months after the celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign of 70 years was the longest in British history, and only around 20% of the UK’s current population were alive at the time she came to the throne. For many people, the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III will therefore be the first they have ever witnessed.
During his decades as Prince of Wales, The King worked closely with a range of charitable organisations and was a Patron of Age UK. As Duchess of Cornwall, The Queen Consort also became Patron of The Silver Line in 2017. More recently, The King and The Queen Consort visited Age UK Colchester to meet volunteers for Age UK’s vital telephone services.
Getting together
Celebrations will begin with the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. Their Majesties will then travel to Buckingham Palace in the ceremonial Coronation Procession, which will also feature other members of the Royal Family. On Sunday 7 May, the party continues with a special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, featuring performances from global music icons and the Coronation Choir.
But as well as watching the celebrations unfold on TV, why not take the opportunity to make your own memories with friends and family? Hundreds of communities across the UK have already signed up to host a Coronation Big Lunch over the bank holiday weekend, giving communities and families a chance to get together and celebrate.
You could also join in with a range of activities across the country – including a royal portraiture workshop hosted by Age UK Northumberland, a tea dance with Age UK Sutton, or a three-course knees-up with Age UK Lincoln.
Giving back
Make your celebrations extra special by using them to raise money for a great cause. You can put the ‘fun’ into fundraising with Age UK’s free Coronation fundraising pack, which features everything you’ll need to throw an event fit for royalty – including a Coronation coronation quiz!
If you’d like to donate your time for others, you could consider exploring some volunteering opportunities instead.
On Monday 8 May, you could join in with The Big Help Out – a major initiative that will form a central part of the Coronation celebrations. Whether you can give an hour of your time or the whole day, there’ll be lots of opportunities to volunteer for a range of organisations and charities, including Age UK. Learn how you can lend a hand in your local community by downloading The Big Help Out app.
