The coronations of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are just weeks away, as London prepares to host the historic event.
The coronation at Westminster Abbey will begin at 11am on Saturday, May 6, 2023 – the first weekend coronation in over a century. The UK will then have an extra bank holiday on Monday 8 May.
The King and Lady will make the 1.3-mile journey to the cathedral aboard the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, leaving Buckingham Palace before descending The Mall via Admiralty Arch, turning to go through Whitehall then rounding east and south of Parliament Square to the Wide Reserve.
After the ceremony, they would travel the opposite way back to the palace, a journey shorter than that of Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, after her coronation in 1953, when she waved her hand. greet the crowds along Piccadilly, Oxford Street and the Regent. Street.
There are no tickets if you want to join the crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family but it’s best to plan ahead. Organizers have already begun preparing for large crowds, with stands erected outside Buckingham Palace and at the Guards Parade near Westminster Abbey.
Where is the best place to watch the coronation procession?
As mentioned, it will take some serious advance planning to land a good spot – there have been reports of people camping out 48 hours before the platinum jubilee celebrations to secure their space in. year 2022.
For those aiming for a great vision, there are several vantage points to aim for.
Buckingham Palace is the place where proceedings begin and end, and where working members of the Royal Family will gather on the balcony, when there will also be a large formation flying.
Another place to base your base is along The Mall, a crowd favorite during royal events. While you may not be able to see many processions from St James’s Park, it can be a great atmosphere (and may have large screens showing processions and services, although this has not been confirmed).
Elsewhere, you can place yourself at Trafalgar Square, along Whitehall or Parliament Square, just outside Westminster Abbey.
Where is the nearest subway station?
Closed London Underground stations along the route are:
- St James’ Park (District and Circle Lines)
- Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines)
- Charing Cross (Bakerloo Road and North)
- Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines)
During last summer’s platinum celebration weekend, opening times were limited and some of the stations closed were listed above. However, Transport for London (TfL) has said that there are no plans to shut down their entire network on coronation day.
How about taking the bus?
There will be some changes to bus routes and times due to road closures. There are many bus stops near the parade route but check it out tfl.gov.uk to find the best option depending on your starting point and any changes.
People may find it easier to walk around central London, TfL claims on its website.
Is there disruption to trains?
According to the National Rail website, no major engineering work affected London stations on May 6.
On Sunday May 7, ongoing work at London Victoria will see no Southbound trains to and from the station, nor Gatwick Express service. Buses will replace trains between West Hampstead Thameslink and London St Pancras International before 9am.
Thameslink and Great Northern have confirmed that they will run Sunday service on all lines on Monday bank holiday.
