Everything You Need to Know About King Charles’s Coronation

Photo: Getty Images

Who was invited to King Charles III’s coronation?

More than 2,000 guests were invited to Westminster Abbey on May 6. Among them were members of the royal family (and other members of royal families around the world), representatives from the Houses of Parliament and the Church, and prominent politicians from the Commonwealth and beyond. The number of coronation invitees is actually relatively small, given that more than 8,000 people attended the Queen’s service in 1953.

Who performed at King Charles III’s coronation?

The King personally commissioned 12 new pieces for the day, including a coronation anthem by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a coronation march by Patrick Doyle. Andrew Nethsingha—organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey—directed the music throughout the ceremony, with the Royal Opera House’s Antonio Pappano conducting a coronation orchestra. The Ascension Choir, comprised of “handpicked” gospel singers, also performed, while Greek Orthodox music was sung by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble in a tribute to the late Prince Philip.

Photo: Getty Images

Is there a bank holiday for the coronation?

Yes, there is an additional bank holiday for King Charles III’s coronation, just as there was for Queen Elizabeth II’s. Following the Saturday, May 6 service, Britons are being encouraged to celebrate a Coronation Big Lunch with their neighbors at street parties on Sunday, May 7, before joining in with The Big Help Out by volunteering in their community on Monday, May 8.

Will there be other events to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation over the long weekend?

Yes. On January 21, Buckingham Palace announced that there would be a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on May 7, in which both up-and-coming artists and global musical icons will come together to mark the occasion. They’ll be joined by an orchestra, dance troupes, A-list actors delivering “spoken word sequences” and the coronation choir, comprised of amateur singers from across the country, who’ll be joined by a virtual choir made up of vocalists based across the Commonwealth.

Who will perform at the Coronation Concert?

Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie, Andrea Bocelli, Freya Ridings, Nicole Scherzinger, Paloma Faith, Tiwa Savage, Olly Murs and Take That are all set to perform for a crowd of approximately 20,000 people at Windsor Castle.