A Closer Look: The coronation of King Charles III


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A Closer Look is The National's show where we take an in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

The coronation of the UK's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be watched around the world on Saturday as thousands descend on the streets of London for the occasion.

It is the first to take place in Britain for nearly five decades and comes after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September at the age of 96.

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's Taylor Heyman to find out more about the big day, including who will - and who won't - be attending.

Read more

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King Charles coronation: Date, times, route, guests and what you need to know

The UK prepares for King Charles's coronation: in pictures

  • Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty
    Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty
  • Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP
    Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP
  • A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP
    A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP
  • A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP
    A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP
  • Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP
    Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP
  • The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP
    The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP
  • Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP
    Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP
  • A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
    A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
  • Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty
    Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty
  • The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters
    The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters
  • A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters
    A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters
  • Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA
    Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA
  • An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP
    An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP
  • Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters
    Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters
  • Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA
    Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA
  • A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP
    A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP
  • Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters
    Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters
  • Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP
    Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP
  • A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP
    A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP
  • Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP
    Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP
  • Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA
    Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA
  • Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA
    Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA
  • Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP
    Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP
  • British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty
    British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty
  • Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
    Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
  • Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA
    Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA
  • Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP
    Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP
  • Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters
  • The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA
    The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA
  • A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images
    A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images
  • The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP
    The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP
  • Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP
    Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP
  • Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP
    Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP
  • Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images
    Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images
  • King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA
    King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA
  • A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP
    A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP
  • The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP
    The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP
  • King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters
    King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters
  • The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters
    The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters
  • A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA
    A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA
  • A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA
    A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA
  • People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters
    People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters
  • The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
    The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
Updated: March 06, 2024, 8:08 AM
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