King Charles's Coronation will take place Saturday 6th May 2023 followed by an extra bank holiday on Monday 8th May
An extra bank holiday is to be added to next year's calendar to encourage the nation to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
It is hoped the extra day off will be used by households across the country to mark the arrival of the new monarch and here's what we know about events so far.
When is the King's coronation?
Charles III will officially be crowned King on Saturday, 6th May 2023 in a ceremony set to take place at Westminster Abbey – the same location chosen for the Queen's funeral in September.
While the Queen's coronation in 1953 lasted for more than three hours, it has been suggested the new monarch favours a much shorter ceremony compared with that of his mother – particularly in light of the cost-of-living crisis in which the country finds itself.
However, it is expected that Charles will still be anointed with holy oil and given the orb and sceptre many may remember Queen Elizabeth also receiving, before being crowned King with the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels, the St Edward's Crown.
His wife Camilla – who will then officially become Queen Consort – will also be crowned in the same ceremony just as the Queen Mother was in 1937 during the coronation of her husband King George VI.
The ceremony and blessing is expected to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
A UK-wide bank holiday
The King's coronation will see the country given a three-day weekend to celebrate – in line with the Queen's coronation almost 70 years ago.
With memories of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee still fresh in the minds of most, Downing Street hopes the extra day off will encourage similar community celebrations across the country on Monday 8th May.
Prime Minister Rish Sunak explained: "The coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country. 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."
What about May's other bank holidays?
With Monday 8th May declared an extra bank holiday for 2023, it means that the early spring bank holiday or 'May Day' on Monday 1st May and the spring bank holiday on Monday 29th May will both remain in place.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden added: "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."
Other bank holidays scheduled for 2023 in England include the New Year's Day substitute on Monday 2nd January, Good Friday on 7th April, Easter Monday on 10th April, Summer Bank Holiday on Monday 28th August, Christmas Day on Monday 25th December and Boxing Day on Tuesday, 26th December.
