CORONATION COUNTDOWN: Here’s what to expect during King Charles’ big weekend

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It’s just a matter of days before King Charles formally becomes monarch and gains all the regal powers that come with that.

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It’ll be a weekend-long celebration highlighting the coronation, the debut of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace and a star-studded coronation concert.

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Here’s everything you need to know about coronation weekend.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

King’s procession

Charles and Camilla will travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. It has not been made clear as to when the procession will begin, but broadcast coverage starts at 10 a.m. (5 a.m. ET).

Coronation ceremony

The ceremony is set to begin at 11 a.m. (6 a.m. ET) and will be conducted by the Archibishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Charles will be crowned as King wearing the St. Edward Crown before swapping it out for the Imperial State Crown at the end of the coronation. Camilla will wear Queen Mary’s Crown, which was commissioned by Charles’ great-grandmother Mary for the 1911 coronation of her husband, King George V.

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There are 2,000 guests expected to attend the event, which will last about an hour, compared to the Queen’s three-hour coronation in 1953.

Coronation procession

Charles and Camilla will make their way back to Buckingham Palace via the Gold State Coach. Again, a time has not yet been confirmed but it will likely be around noon (7 a.m. ET).
The coach was first used in the early 1700s by King George III to travel to a State Opening of Parliament,  and has been used at every coronation since King William IV’s crowning ceremony in 1831.

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Royal salute

Upon arriving back at Buckingham Palace, the royal couple will receive a salute from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces, followed by three cheers from the assembled military personnel.Balcony time

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King Charles will make his Buckingham Palace balcony debut as monarch with Queen Camilla by his side. It has not yet been confirmed who will also be high above the crowds, but expect to see the main Royal Family members including Prince Edward, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince William, Princess Kate and their children. There’s no word on if Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will be joining them.

SUNDAY, MAY 7

Coronation Big Lunch

The day after all the pomp and circumstances comes a time when those across the U.K. connect with neighbours for the Big Lunch.

The event, conceived by the Eden Project, is intended to “boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes.”

Coronation Quiche, anyone?

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Coronation Concert

The piece de resistance comes Sunday night when big names — Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and more — perform from Windsor Castle’s East Lawn for the King and Queen and an audience packed with volunteers from charities as well as lucky members of the public. It will be broadcast live from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. (2 p.m.-5 p.m. ET).

MONDAY, MAY 8

The Big Help Out

The final day of the big weekend features one main event that honours Charles’ years of public service. Volunteers take part in the nationwide initiative that “will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation.”