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Topics: UK News, King Charles III, Royal Family
Jake Massey
Topics: UK News, King Charles III, Royal Family
A date has been set for the coronation of King Charles III.
The 73-year-old ascended to the throne on 8 September, upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.
A national period of mourning followed, before the late 96-year-old was laid to rest on 19 September.
Now, Charles' coronation date has been set for eight months on from his ascension.
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The deeply religious ceremony will be held at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May next year, with the Queen Consort being crowned alongside Charles, Buckingham Palace announced.
The Palace said the ceremony will be 'rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry' but also 'reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future'.
Charles will be anointed with holy oil, receive the orb, coronation ring and sceptre, be crowned with the majestic St Edward's Crown and blessed during the historic ceremony.
Camilla will also be anointed with holy oil and crowned, just like the Queen Mother was when she was crowned Queen in 1937.
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The late Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953 – 16 months after she became monarch – and there had been speculation Charles would opt for a June date close to or even on the 70th anniversary of his mother's ceremony.
Instead, the date has been set for 6 May, which is also the birthday of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son Archie – Charles' grandson – who will be turning four on the day.
The date was also the wedding anniversary of the late Queen's sister Princess Margaret, while the King's grandfather George VI held his coronation in the month of May.
Guest lists have yet to be confirmed for the spectacle, including whether or not Harry and Meghan will be invited.
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The Palace said: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce that the coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023.
"The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
"The ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside the Queen Consort.
"The coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry."
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It is understood that the ceremony will include the same core elements of the traditional service, which has retained a similar structure for more than 1,000 years, while also recognising the spirit of our times.
Charles' coronation is expected to be on a smaller scale and shorter, with suggestions that it could last just one hour rather than over three.
It is expected to be more inclusive of multi-faith Britain than past coronations, but will be an Anglican service.
Guest numbers will be reduced from 8,000 to around 2,000, with peers expected to wear suits and dresses instead of ceremonial robes, and a number of rituals – such as the presentation of gold ingots – axed.
Coronations have not traditionally been held on a weekend, with the late Queen's taking place on a Tuesday. It has not yet been confirmed whether there will be any arrangements for a bank holiday – so I guess we can only cross our fingers for the time being.
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Further details are due to be released in due course, but the government and the royal household will be conscious of the scale of the event in light of the cost-of-living crisis facing the country.