More than 2,000 people have been invited to the coronation service for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey, among them a young Syrian and a Jordanian who have benefitted from The Prince's Trust.
In addition to members of the royal family, heads of state and civil society members, 400 young people representing charitable organisations will have the opportunity to watch the coronation service and processions from inside St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan have confirmed that they will attend. The royal couple spoke movingly of their admiration for Queen Elizabeth II after her death and said they were looking forward to celebrating the new king's reign.
Two young people from the Middle East who have received support from The Prince's Trust have been invited to the coronation service.
Hassan Alkhawam, 24, sought sanctuary in Northern Ireland with his family in 2017 after escaping the conflict in Syria and was supported by The Prince’s Trust to fulfil his dream of studying software engineering at university.
As well as working part time and studying, Mr Alkhawam volunteers to help others who have experienced similar challenges.
The UK prepares for the coronation of King Charles III - 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 -
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 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters -
The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
He is a founding member and voluntary director of social enterprise NI Hyatt, which helps refugees and migrants in Northern Ireland to create social connections, gain access to learning opportunities and gain recognition for their skills and experience so they can more easily become integral members of their community.
“The help and encouragement I received was amazing,” Mr Alkhawam said.
“I’m grateful to The Prince’s Trust for all their support in helping me achieve a better life, not just for me, but for my family.”
In 2021, Mr Alkhawam was awarded The Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award at The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB.
Sara Arah Abu Al Wafa, 26, also benefited from the Tariqi programme Prince’s Trust International ran in partnership with the Business Development Centre in Jordan.
As a result of her time in the programme, she was able to take on a role working in the insurance sector and currently works an account manager at Gulf Insurance Group.
Ms Abu Al Wafa is one of the top achievers in her organisation.
Armed forces rehearse for king's coronation - in pictures
-
The Life Guards, part of the Household Cavalry, join the rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty -
Royal Marine Commandos join the rehearsal with British and Commonwealth armed services for the second procession accompanying King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Drummers from the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth at the rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the Royal Navy parade on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty -
The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth ensure it's in tune for the coronation procession. Getty -
Seamus, the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards, is the only dog to be included in the festivities. Getty -
Soldiers from The Guards march at RAF Odiham. Getty -
A piccolo player on parades during the full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty -
RAF personnel parade during Sunday's coronation procession practice run. Getty -
Members of the Royal Marines parade. Getty -
RAF personnel stand in formation at RAF Odiham. Getty -
It'll be all right on the night ... British Army soldiers rehearse. Getty -
For King and Queen Consort ... military personnel take part in the full rehearsal. Getty -
The Royal Lancers join the rehearsal. Getty -
RAF personnel stand in formation for the rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the Armed Forces rehearse the Royal Salute. Getty -
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories lead the full rehearsal of the coronation procession. Getty -
Soldiers from the Guards hold their bearskin hats in the air as they give three cheers for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at a rehearsal of the coronation procession on April 30 in RAF Odiham, England. Getty -
Service members on practice parade. Getty -
The full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the British Army Band at RAF Odiham. Getty -
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories. Getty -
The service members from the Commonwealth nations and territories lead the full rehearsal. Getty Images -
Flag bearers representing the Commonwealth nations and overseas territories await the start of the rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the Royal Air Force march. PA -
Members of the Armed Forces at practice. PA -
Members of the Royal Air Force during the full rehearsal in Hampshire. PA
Prominent international figures will attend the coronation. About 100 heads of state, as well as representatives from 203 countries, are expected in London.
Amazonian leaders are set to present the monarch with a feathered crown in recognition of his commitment to protecting the rainforest and promoting harmony between humanity and nature.
Uyunkar Domingo Peas, leader of the Achuar Nation of the Ecuadorean Amazon, met the king in February and presented him with a symbolic seed necklace.
In addition to the Amazonian leaders, King Charles will hold an audience with the Ashanti King from Ghana, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and welcome Canadian indigenous leaders, Chief Roseanne Archibald, Natan Obed, and Natalie Caron.
Celebrities including Lionel Richie and Ant and Dec have also been invited to attend the coronation service due to their work with The Prince's Trust.
Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, will also be in attendance due to his role as global ambassador at the trust.
Jay Blades, a Prince’s Foundation ambassador best known as the presenter of hit BBC series The Repair Shop, has also been invited to the royal event.
He presented The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit, which was filmed in 2021 and shone the spotlight on the work being done by The Prince's Foundation to preserve traditional craft skills that are at risk of being lost.
The coronation coaches - in pictures
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will return from the coronation ceremony in the Gold State Coach. PA -
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach will take the royal couple to the coronation. PA -
Queen Elizabeth II in the Gold State Coach in Trafalgar Square on the way from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey for her coronation in 1953. PA -
Queen Elizabeth returns to Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach after delivering the queen's speech in 2019. PA -
The Gold State Coach passes Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June 2022. PA -
A hologram of Queen Elizabeth on the windows of the Gold State Coach during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June 2022. AP -
The Gold State Coach on display at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace. PA -
A painting on the side of the Gold State Coach. PA -
A coat of arms on the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. PA -
Detail from a door panel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. PA -
Detail from the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. PA
Kelly Jones, lead singer of band Stereophonics, is also attending the coronation service. His band were supported by The Prince’s Trust before they were signed to a record deal.
The trust gave the band a grant for them to buy new equipment so they could perform live and they credit the trust with “helping them to be heard”.
Shortly after they received this support, they signed a record deal and made their way on the path to fame.
World-renowned magician Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frayne, started his career through support, advice and a business start-up loan from The Prince’s Trust.
“The Prince’s Trust gave me the support no one else would and it changed my life — that’s real magic,” Dynamo said.
