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The big day is almost here. The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will certainly be the biggest event to take place in the UK in 2023, and probably for many years to come.
Whether you’re a royalist or not, the Coronation bank holiday weekend in London is going to be an exciting time to be in the British capital.
Huge street parties and special events will take over the city for three whole days, while many Coronation events will continue to run throughout the entire month.
So if you’re looking for the best things to do in London for the King’s Coronation, I’ll be keeping this post up to date will all of the best events and activities taking place in the capital from the 6th to 8th of May.
Rub Shoulders with Royalty at Madame Tussauds
To celebrate the King’s Coronation, Madame Tussauds London has opened its brand-new “The Royal Palace” experience. The special exhibition will allow you to take a sneak peek behind the gates of Buckingham Palace and into Royal life. It was even opened by the monarch himself.
In the Royal zone, you can rub shoulders with The King and Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales in the Throne Room, pose with afternoon tea in the Royal Drawing Room, and wave at the cheering crowds from the Royal Balcony.
You can also mingle with some of the Palace’s most notable celebrity guests, including Sir Mo Farah, Dame Judi Dench, and Barack Obama, whose figures have also had a regal redress befitting of the new experience.
Snap Photos on the London Eye’s Coronation Pod
The lastminute.com London Eye is celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III by offering a unique experience to guests; The Coronation Capsule.
Available from 29th April to 8th May, one of the London landmark’s iconic pods will be transformed to replicate the grandeur and gothic design of Westminster Abbey.
The capsule will create the illusion of ribbed vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, carved stone columns, and wooden benches inspired by the Abbey’s quire stalls.
But the real centerpiece of the attraction will be the replica of the 700-year-old Coronation Chair and the Crown Jewels. Using these props, you can act out your very own coronation while flying 443ft above the capital, with a bird’s eye view over the historical church in which the actual coronation will take place.
Take an Uber Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
Between the 3rd and 5th of May, Uber are giving Londoners the opportunity to travel like royalty in a regal horse-drawn carriage ride around Dulwich Park in Southwark.
All you have to do is go on the app and request a time slot. You can then jump in the lavish carriage, pulled by white horses dressed in their finest coronation wear, and take a stroll around the park. It’ll be like your very own Coronation Procession.
Uber will be using the profits to make a donation to Spana, a UK-based charity that is focused on supporting the welfare of working animals across the world.
Enjoy a Coronation Picnic at Fleet Street Quarter
On Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th May, the streets of Fleet Street Quarter in east London will transform into a bloom-filled picture-perfect picnic spot to celebrate the King’s Coronation.
Carter Lane, Bream’s Buildings, and Gough Square will host a series of lively outdoor celebrations to encourage local workers and visitors to get into the Coronation spirit over their lunch break through food, fun, and festivities.
The quintessentially British summertime spot will have everything from picnic tables and giant blooms to amazing 3D art. It will be the perfect place to enjoy a tasty al fresco feast from one of the surrounding restaurants or cafes. Some lunch vendors will even off limited-time ‘Picnic Promotions’.
Find out more about the “Big Picnic” here.
Watch the King’s Coronation Procession in London
On the morning of Saturday 6th May, British aristocracy and heads of state from around the world will gather at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III.
And while you unfortunately can’t join the coronation itself (unless you were one of the lucky few to receive an invite), you can catch a glimpse of the King and Queen Consort leaving the Abbey and returning to Buckingham Palace in the ‘The Coronation Procession’.
The Coronation Procession will travel through Parliament Square, along Whitehall, around Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch, and down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Millions of people are expected to line the streets of London to watch the extravagant procession pass through the city. So you’ll need to arrive extremely early (read: the night before) to grab a good spot.
If you don’t want to camp overnight, you can also watch the coronation procession on giant screens in Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park. The atmosphere is sure to be amazing!
Join a Coronation Big Lunch Street Party
Organized by the Eden Project, The Big Lunch is an annual event that takes place around the UK each summer. It aims to bring together communities and encourage people to enjoy a fun lunch with their neighbours.
And this year, in honour of the King’s Coronation, the charity encourages people to host a Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday 7th May. This can be anything from a cup of tea with a neighbour to a big street party celebrating the coronation.
You can check this map to see if there’s a Coronation Big Lunch happening near you. Or download the party pack here and organize your own very own Big Lunch.
Watch ‘Lighting Up The Nation’
Last summer, the Queen’s Jubilee had beacons. This year, the King’s Coronation has its own special nighttime event called ‘Lighting Up The Nation’.
On the evening of Sunday 7th May, iconic landmarks all across the UK will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays, and illuminations.
You can watch the event live on the BBC as part of the Coronation Concert at Windsor Palace. Or if you’re out and about in London, catch the spectacular event in real life at one of the locations.
The list of London landmarks that will be featured in the event hasn’t yet been released. But I’d take a good guess that Big Ben, the London Eye, and Battersea Power Station are strong contenders.
Coronation Afternoon Tea on a Red London Bus
Bridget’s Bakery’s afternoon tea bus tour is one of the most quintessentially British experiences in London. In this unique dining experience, you can step onboard a classic red Routemaster bus and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea while taking in many of London’s most iconic sites.
BBakery regularly offers themed afternoon teas to celebrate holidays and special occasions. And the King’s Coronation is no exception.
From 24th April to 31st May 2023 you can enjoy a Coronation bus tour around London’s many royal sites while enjoying a delicious afternoon tea onboard.
The afternoon tea menu has been specially curated by the Royal Butler, Grant Harrold, to make sure that it’s fit for a King. While the bus itself will be decorated with flags, crowns, and coronation decorations galore.
Coronation Afternoon Tea at a Luxury Hotel
BBakery isn’t the only place in London hosting a special Coronation afternoon tea. Many of London’s luxury hotels are also putting on royal high teas to celebrate the special occasion.
Some London hotels offering Coronation afternoon teas are:
Rubens at the Palace also offers a special deal that includes a royal tour of London followed by a regal afternoon tea overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
Save this post as more London Coronation events will be added as soon as they’re announced!
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Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.
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