Brits urged to take part in Big Help Out today as part of coronation celebrations

More than 1,500 charities are involved

Venerable Ajahn Amaro, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Julie Siddiqi serve food as they join other faith leaders in taking part in the Big Help Out, at the Passage in London.
Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 8th May 2023

The Big Help Out is taking place today as part of the weekend-long celebrations for the King's Coronation, with the aim of inspiring and recruiting a new generation of volunteers.

Buckingham Palace said the Big Help Out will “highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation”.

Edward and Sophie will take part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs training centre in Reading, while Anne and Sir Tim will attend a civic service recognising local volunteers at Gloucester Cathedral.

The service will be followed by a short reception for invited volunteers and representatives of voluntary organisations from across Gloucestershire.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will meet young volunteers from the Coptic Orthodox Church at a coronation party at St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Kensington.

The palace spokesperson said that according to the latest polling, an estimated 6.5 million people say they are planning to take part in the Big Help Out, ranging from community litter picks to signing up to longer-term volunteering opportunities with a wide range of charities.

The palace said that while “wholly supportive” of the Big Help Out initiatives on Monday, Charles and Camilla will not be attending any of the events in person.

King Charles' Coronation in pictures

King Charles & Queen Camilla

King Charles's coronation takes place on 6th May 2023.
Ahead of the Coronation The King and Queen had official photos taken in the Blue room in Buckingham Palace.

Coronation rehearsal

A few days before the official coronation a huge rehearsal took place overnight in London.

Crowds gather in their ponchos outside Buckingham Palace

The crowds brave the damp weather outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the Coronation.

Royal Fans at Trafalgar Square

Crowds gathered at Trafalgar Square watching as a procession goes by.

Royal fan in her hand-made dress

Rebecca hand-made her patriotic dress and had met Stephanie this morning who'd travelled from America to watch the Coronation.

The Royal Carriage at Trafalgar Square

The Royal Carriage carrying King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla passes through Trafalgar Square

Royal fans at Parliament Square

Some royal fans have opted for fancier dress today to celebrate the Coronation.

The Diamond Jubilee carriage

The Diamond Jubilee carriage carries King Charles and Queen Camilla up The Mall ahead of the coronation

The Royal Carriage along the Mall at Buckingham Palace

The Royal Carriage carrying HRHs Charles and Camilla passes Buckingham Palace

Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence

Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence arriving at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation.

Queen Consort Camilla arrives at Westminster Abbey

The Queen Consort Camilla arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the Coronation of her husband King Charles III.

Prince Harry arrives at Westminster Abbey

The King's younger son, Prince Harry, arrives at Westminster Abbey for his father's Coronation.

Members of the Royal Family at Westminster Abbey

Members of the Royal Family took a front row seat for the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey

The Princess of Wales with two of her children

The Princess of Wales smiles as she sits with her children Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Westminster Abbey.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis holding hands

In a touching moment, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis hold hands ahead of the ceremony.

Sir Bryn Terfel

Welsh bass-baritone singer Sir Bryn Terfel performs at Westminster Abbey during the Coronation service.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reads an Epistle

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak made a reading of an Epistle during the service at Westminster Abbey.

The Orb, the Sceptre with Dove and the Imperial State Crown are brought to the thrones before the coronation

The Orb, the Sceptre with Dove and the Imperial State Crown are brought to the thrones before the coronation

The anointment

King Charles is anointed with holy oil by The Archbishop of Canterbury behind private screens in what's considered the most sacred part of the ceremony.

St Edward's Crown

Nicholas Lyons, the Lord Mayor of the City of London brings the St Edward's Crown to be presented to the King.

King Charles III is crowned

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby crowns King Charles III.

King Charles wearing the crown

King Charles III shortly after being crowned with the St Edward's Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

King Charles with crown and sceptres

King Charles III has been officially crowned and was presented with various important items including sceptres.

Queen Camilla leaving Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla leaves Westminster Abbey following the Coronation of her husband.

King Charles leads the procession out of Westminster Abbey

King Charles leads the procession out of Westminster Abbey

Procession at Trafalgar Square

The procession following the Coronation around Trafalgar Square

The procession gathers outside Buckingham Palace

Part of the procession gathers outside Buckingham Palace ahead of it's start.

King Charles leaves Westminster Abbey

Despite the wet weather, Charles emerged from Westminster Abbey after being crowned King.

The Princess of Wales after the Coronation service

The Princess of Wales smiles as she leaves Westminster Abbey following the Coronation of her father-in-law King Charles III.

The Gold State Coach carrying the newly-crowned King Charles and Queen Camilla

The Gold State Coach carrying the newly-crowned King Charles and Queen Camilla

Princess Charlotte waves to royal fans during the procession

Princess Charlotte waves to royal fans from the Diamond Jubilee Carriage during the procession

The Gold State Coach makes a procession up The Mall

King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Gold State Coach as it takes part in the procession up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.

King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Gold State Coach

King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Gold State Coach

Military give a royal salute

Members of the military from across the Commonwealth give a royal salute to King Charles and Queen Camilla on the lawn of Buckingham Palace

King Charles receives a royal salute from members of the military

King Charles receives a royal salute from members of the military on the lawn of Buckingham Palace

King Charles and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

King Charles and Queen Camilla greet the waiting crowds on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

King Charles and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

King Charles and Queen Camilla are joined by the pages on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the public.

The royal flypast from the Red Arrows above Buckingham Palace

In a scaled back flypast due to the weather, the Red Arrows fly above Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

Working members of the Royal Family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation.

The Royal Family watch the flypast above Buckingham Palace

Working members of the Royal Family enjoy the flypast.

The Red Arrows soar above the crowds on The Mall

The flypast was scaled back due to the weather but still enchanted the crowds gathered on The Mall and the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Hear all the latest news from across Tayside, Perthshire and Angus on Tay FM. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.