Preparations ramp-up for historic Coronation weekend
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is giving us an insight into the ongoing plans for the Coronation of the King and Queen Consort.
Final preparations are underway for the Coronation of the King and The Queen Consort, with just weeks to go before the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 6th May 2023.
It's been revealed 12 new musical compositions have been written especially for the service, and the Royal family has even released a special recipe for a Coronation quiche, featuring spinach, broad beans and tarragon.
The route for the King's procession has also been confirmed by the Royal Household. Their Majesties will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, accompanied by The Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry. The procession will depart Buckingham Palace through the Centre Gate, proceed down The Mall, passing through Admiralty Arch and south of King Charles I Island, down Whitehall and along Parliament Street. The procession will continue around the east and south sides of Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary, arriving at the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey in time for the Coronation Service to begin at 11am.
Taking a small but significant role on the day itself will be the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle: "I will be led by the sergeant-at-arms who will be carrying the Mace of Parliament, followed by my train bearer who will be holding the golden train that I will be wearing. Behind that will be the Speaker's secretary, along with the Speaker's chaplain.
"Normally we would travel in the great Speaker's Carriage - the Speaker has a gold carriage just like the King - but we're going to put that on display and walk in procession instead, because we're literally only going from Parliament to Westminster Abbey. I will then be in the Abbey to watch the Coronation, which will be quite amazing and I'm really looking forward to it.
"Everybody will remember this moment. People have had a difficult time with the cost of living and energy crisis and I think people need a bit of joy and an uplift. It's about communities coming together and enjoying the day, and it's a bank holiday weekend so it's even better."
For the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, more than 8,000 guests were welcomed to Westminster Abbey. This time, the Coronation guest list has been significantly reduced, with just over 2,000 guests receiving an invite. Among those lucky enough to be in attendance for the historic event are more than 450 recipients of the British Empire Medal, in recognition of the contributions made by volunteers, charity representatives and community champions up and down the country.
400 young people representing charitable organisations will also have the opportunity to watch the Coronation Service and Procession from St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.
A more streamlined event means many MPs will miss out on attending the service, therefore Sir Lindsay, who's also MP for Chorley, will welcome the King on Tuesday 2nd May for a small celebration in the Houses of Parliament: "I will meet him at the great door and there will be groups of MPs, peers and staff. We will take him round to introduce him to the people who've not got an invite. Previously, all MPs and peers were invited but with the numbers substantially reduced, I think this is the King saying, 'sorry I can't invite you'. We'll have a cup of tea, a cake and a sticky bun. And hopefully it's a Chorley cake!"
It's understood plans for the night before the Coronation are still being formulated, but Sir Lindsay has written to the Royals with an offer based on long-standing tradition: "I've sent a letter to the King asking if he wishes to stay in the Speaker's apartment.
"I've got the Royal bed all made up just in case he wishes to sleep there, because history says the Monarch should stay in Parliament before their Coronation.
"The royal bed is there for him, magnificent in all its glory! So I've sent a letter telling him I've got him a bed ready just in case he wants to stay - but I suspect he might not. I'm waiting on a reply."
The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will be marked with events across the country, as well as a concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th May. Several thousand pairs of tickets will be made available via public ballot.
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