The UK will enjoy an additional bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III so that people can celebrate with friends and family, it was announced on Sunday.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the coronation would be a “unique moment for our country” as the government proclaimed the extra bank holiday to mark the coronation next year.
The holiday, for all four UK nations, will fall on Monday, May 8, two days after the coronation at Westminster Abbey, in central London on Saturday May 6.
“The coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country,” Mr Sunak said.
“In recognition of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce an additional bank holiday for the whole United Kingdom next year.
“I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour.”
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King Charles III's coronation will be held on Saturday, May 6 next year, Buckingham Palace has announced, eight months after the monarch’s accession and the death of Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images -
King Charles III salutes as he leaves Westminster Abbey following the state funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II. AP -
King Charles follows behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey. Reuters -
King Charles attends the state funeral of his mother. Reuters -
King Charles meets faith leaders during a reception at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images -
King Charles in silhouette at Buckingham Palace as he meets faith leaders. AFP -
King Charles attends a vigil alongside Queen Elizabeth's coffin inside Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
King Charles leaves following the Vigil of the Princes, during which he and his siblings stood watch over their mother Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla enter Westminster Hall as the coffin completes its journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as it is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Reuters -
King Charles meets members of the public as he leaves the Senedd in Cardiff, Wales, after a visit to receive a Motion of Condolence following the death of Queen Elizabeth. PA -
King Charles meets troops during a reception at Hillsborough Castle, County Down, Northern Ireland. PA -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Hall, London, where both Houses of Parliament met to express their condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth. PA -
King Charles greets mourners as he walks by the gates of Buckingham Palace following the death of Queen Elizabeth. AP -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla view floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace. AP
Mr Sunak said it would be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate, as when King Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned in 1953.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said "the coronation will be a historic moment for Scotland, and the Scottish Government wants to give as many people as possible the opportunity to join the celebrations.
“Scotland will want to send its best wishes to His Majesty, King Charles III, and the Queen Consort.”
The service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will take place at Westminster Abbey, where the monarch's mother's funeral took place in September.
Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned alongside King Charles.
Buckingham Palace has said the ceremony will be “rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry” but also “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future”.
It described a “solemn religious service, together with an occasion for celebration and pageantry”.
The coronation falls on the birthday of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie, who will turn 4. It has not yet been confirmed who will attend the ceremony and whether or not Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will be among those invited.
It is also expected to be on a smaller scale and shorter than the late queen’s coronation.
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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace after the Queen's coronation in June 1953. All photos: PA -
Queen Elizabeth sitting on the St Edward's Chair, as she is crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. -
The Duke of Norfolk, the Earl Marshall, paying homage to Queen Elizabeth after her coronation at Westminster Abbey. -
Queen Elizabeth riding with the Duke of Edinburgh in the state coach through Trafalgar Square on the way from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey for her coronation. -
People waiting on The Mall for an all-night vigil before the coronation procession of Queen Elizabeth. -
A crowded Trafalgar Square in the rain as troops march past on the return from Westminster Abbey after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with son Prince Charles and daughter Princess Anne, other members of the royal family and guests at Buckingham Palace on return from the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. -
Queen Elizabeth at her coronation in Westminster Abbey. -
The view from the roof of Buckingham Palace showing the state coach carrying Queen Elizabeth to Westminster Abbey. -
Queen Elizabeth wearing the St Edward Crown and carrying the sceptre and rod after her coronation.
The announcement of the additional bank holiday came after calls from Tory MPs for the government to either move the early May bank holiday from May 1 to coincide with the coronation weekend or to declare an extra day off.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said "the coronation combines the sacred and the solemn but it is also celebratory.
“This bank holiday will once again give people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to come together as families and communities to welcome His Majesty to the throne as we mark this important day in our nation's long history.”
