From the official line-up of events, to themed experiences, city-wide decorations and royal sites you can visit all year round, Visit London has rounded up the best ways visitors can be a part of the Coronation in the capital.
Take part in the official Coronation Weekend programme
Saturday 6 May: The Coronation of King Charles III will begin with a procession (known as the ‘King’s Procession’) from Buckingham Palace to the location of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The ceremony will not be open to the public, but those looking to watch the ceremony on the big screen can head to one of many pop-up screenings in central London, such as in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair. The Secret Garden Party will run all weekend long, with food and drink aplenty, and is free to enter.
Sunday 7 May: London and the rest of the UK are invited to take part in The Coronation Big Lunch, during which communities will come together to share food and fun in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Sunday evening will star the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, and while the public ballot is now closed, there’s plenty of events running across London to make the most of the celebratory atmosphere. An interactive guide to all Coronation events taking place in London and across the UK can be found here.
Monday 8 May: A nationwide bank holiday will be held to mark the occasion, with the new King and Queen pioneering ‘The Big Help Out’, a charitable initiative encouraging everyone across the nation to get involved with local and national projects. Details on how to get involved in London-based endeavours can be found on the official website.
Make the most of the royal festivities across the city
As the hub of the Coronation celebrations, London will be home to plenty of special events and activations for visitors to enjoy throughout the Coronation Weekend.
Visitors should head to Regent Street to snap photos of London’s West End, which will be decked out with Union Jack flags and extravagant window displays in iconic stores like Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty’s.
For the most unforgettable night, consider booking a ticket to The Coronation Ball at the Ritz, where guests are treated to a five-course Michelin-starred dinner and an exclusive performance from the BBC Big Band. In addition, the Royal Albert Hall is hosting The Coronation Prom, with a programme drawing on the rich historical tradition of Coronation music, including royal anthems and overtures by Elgar, Holst, Handel and John Williams.
Those looking for the perfect traditional British tea experience should reserve a spot at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s Royal Afternoon Tea, in the elegant Grand Saloon of one of London’s most historical theatres. Alternatively, Brigit’s Bakery is running a Coronation Bus Tour, where guests can enjoy a regal afternoon tea from the comfort of a royally-decorated London bus, as they pass by the city’s top landmarks.
Located just around the corner from Buckingham Palace in Belgravia, the School of Icing will be running a Coronation Celebration Workshop throughout April and May, teaching visitors how to decorate their own specially-themed royal biscuits. The recently opened Victoria branch of the Hummingbird Bakery, located on Buckingham Palace Road, will also offer a range of indulgent treats, from cupcakes to Red Velvet cakes with a nod to the royals.
London’s newest riverside neighbourhood, Battersea Power Station, will be celebrating The King’s Coronation in true British style with red, white and blue decorations, live performances and family-friendly activities for all to enjoy.
Throughout the weekend, for those looking to extend the festivities, bars and restaurants will also be allowed to stay open two hours later than usual until 1am.
Get the royal experience in London all year-round
For those unable to visit during the Coronation Weekend, there is also plenty to explore following the royal theme all year-round. The top events to grab tickets to include the Trooping of the Colour; the annual celebration of the monarch’s birthday will take place on the 17th of June, with tickets available through public ballot.
Just weeks after the Coronation, the Tower of London will transform its world-famous Jewel House, with a new display exploring more stories than ever before about the history and significance of the Crown Jewels. Visitors to the historic site can also enjoy the new Coronation Bench Trail, featuring 14 new commemorative benches illustrated by school children around the country.
Additionally, museum lovers can head to Kensington Palace for its Crown to Couture Exhibition. The largest exhibition ever staged at the palace, it will boast 200 objects from throughout history until the present day. Similarly, the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace is running Style & Society: Dressing The Georgians, an exhibit featuring the practical dress of laundry maids through to the glittering gowns worn at court. Each exhibit is open until October, with tickets available to book now.
Make the most of the city’s royal sites like Kew Gardens, starring horticultural marvels and historic Greenwich, with the spectacular Old Royal Naval College that can’t help but transport visitors back in time. Theatre-lovers shouldn’t miss the chance to catch a performance of SIX The Musical, and London’s array of palaces and castles, including the iconic Hampton Court Palace, are always ready to welcome visitors, both local and far-flung.
Visit London offers American royal fans a preview of the Coronation celebrations
Later this month, Visit London is throwing the first ever Great British tea party at Edge in New York City. Guests will enjoy an authentic British High Tea experience with treats from Fortnum and Mason, as well as stunning views 100 storeys up of the Manhattan Skyline.
Book a ticket here for a taste of London in the Big Apple as the “destination of the year” prepares for an exciting year ahead with special celebrations honouring the Coronation of King Charles III kicking-off this spring.
Laura Citron, CEO of Visit London said: “The Coronation of King Charles III will be a once in a lifetime moment, with London at the centre of the celebrations. We’re looking forward to welcoming people from all over the world to experience the famous pomp and pageantry of this special event in May.
“London will be putting on a show far beyond the Coronation Weekend, with related events and activations on offer for visitors throughout the rest of the year. From themed afternoon teas, to our royal palaces, parks and cultural attractions, there’s something for royal fans to enjoy all year round in London.”
For more information about London’s royal attractions or events taking place during the Coronation weekend, please see, Visit London, the official visitor guide for London: King Charles III’s Coronation in London