Moving Bank Holiday to coincide with King’s coronation ‘on the table’, number 10 says
Downing Street has suggested that the UK could move one of its upcoming Bank Holidays so that it coincides with the coronation of King Charles III.
I'll be the first to admit that it's not quite the same as being given an extra bank holiday, but I suppose we have to take what we can get.
Charles became King as soon as Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 September, but he hasn't officially had his coronation yet. That typically takes place 'some months' after accession, 'following a period of mourning and as a result of the enormous amount of preparation required to organise the ceremony', according to the official Royal Family website.
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This week, it was announced King Charles III's coronation would be held on 6 May, 2023.
The event involves the monarch taking the 'coronation oath', after which he will be 'anointed, blessed and consecrated' by the Archbishop. He will receive the orb and sceptres, and have St Edward's Crown placed on his head.
Most people will know that May is a good month for bank holidays, featuring both the Early May Bank Holiday and the Spring Bank Holiday, but Downing Street confirmed today (12 October) that moving the date of the Early May day off is a possibility next year.
Commenting on the King's coronation, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Obviously, this will be a historic event. We are carefully considering our plans. All options remain on the table."
The Labour party has shown support for the idea of moving the 1 May bank holiday to 8 May and giving the country a long weekend, describing it as a 'good way for the country to be able to celebrate the coronation'.
A spokesperson for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Moving the May bank holiday that there is for that weekend would be a good idea."
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the new Queen Consort, Camilla, will be crowned alongside the King at the ceremony, which is set to 'reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future' while also being 'rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry'.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June, 1953 was three hours long, though it is thought Charles' coronation will be much shorter, with some suggesting it will last for around one hour.
For the last 900 years, coronations have been held at Westminster Abbey. Charles' coronation is set to be the first held on a Saturday since Edward VII in 1902.
Topics: King Charles III, The Queen, UK News
Emily Brown