The coming weekend will be a bank holiday weekend like no other in the United Kingdom, with opportunities for communities across the nation to celebrate the new reign.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to be crowned in what will surely be an historic coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time following a procession during which they will ride in Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Coach. On Sunday at noon, communities across the country will celebrate the Coronation Big Lunch, with thousands of events being held. Later that day, at 7 p.m. the Coronation Concert will take place on the grounds of Windsor Castle and it will be televised worldwide. The program will include Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer-songwriter Freya Ridings, classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench, and the band Take That, the BBC announced.
The centerpiece of the concert, Lighting Up The Nation, will see iconic locations across the realm lighted up using projections, lasers, drone displays, and illuminations.
Monday, which will be a Bank Holiday, will be the day of the Big Help Out, during which Britons will be encouraged to volunteer and join projects to better their communities to pay tribute to the king’s many decades of public service.
While retailers are not required to shut on the day as they did on the day of the queen’s funeral, it is likely that a few will do so to mark the occasion, as well as to allow their employees time to join in the coronation celebrations. Others, such as Aldi, will close early in England and Wales, although not in Scotland.
Charles, who was born in 1948, acceded to the throne on the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. At 73, he became the oldest person to ascend the British throne in history, after having been the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales.
Elizabeth, who died at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022, ascended the throne on February 6, 1952. The late queen celebrated four major jubilees: her Silver in 1977, Golden in 2002, and Diamond in 2012, and Platinum in 2022.
Here’s what’s open throughout the United Kingdom on Coronation Day, and what isn’t.
GROCERS, SHOPS, AND DEPARTMENT STORES Most retailers including the major supermarket chains will be open on the day of the coronation, which is a Saturday.
ROYAL MAIL There will be regular Royal Mail postal collections and deliveries in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland on Saturday. However, in certain parts of London, Royal Mail is warning of “disruption to deliveries, collections, and other services.” On Monday, there will be no deliveries or collections.
BANKS Banks, by definition, are closed on bank holidays, but will be open on Saturday, Coronation Day.
FINANCIAL MARKETS The London Stock Exchange is open on Coronation Day and closed Sunday and Monday.
PUBS Pubs should all be open throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. Many will show footage of the coronation as it unfolds.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
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