…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
On Saturday morning, the new monarch, King Charles III, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey with the Archbishop of Canterbury coronating Camilla as Queen Consort.
An extra public holiday will be observed on Monday, and rehearsals for the event will take place on May 2 and 3.
The celebration is expected to include a solemn religious service, as well as celebration and pageantry.
Only 2,000 people have been invited to the service at Westminster Abbey, and Prince Harry will attend, but his wife Meghan Markle will stay in Los Angeles.
King Charles III will wear a naval uniform and foreign monarchs could attend, in a break with tradition.
On Sunday, communities are expected to hold street parties during lunchtime, as part of The Big Lunch initiative, and in the evening, the Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle.
The event will feature performances from musicians, actors, and amateur singers and minority community groups from the Coronation Choir.
The party will be broadcast live on the BBC, and many of Britain’s leading entertainers, who have publicly declined invitations, will be absent.
Monday has been set aside for volunteering and is being billed as The Big Help Out.
The Scouting organization, the Royal Voluntary Service, and faith groups are managing the event, with the aim of highlighting the positive impact of volunteering.
The public can join The Big Help Out by downloading The Big Help Out app and selecting the event.
Communities can celebrate the coronation with street parties and events funded by their local authority.
Councils in London and around England are providing grants, sometimes up to £500, for the occasion to be marked locally.
Local authorities have set aside thousands of pounds in their budget to allow streets to come together, which can pay for decorations, safety equipment, food, or road closures.
Commentary:
The coronation of a new monarch is always a significant event in the history of a country.
It is a time to celebrate the beginning of a new era, and this time is no exception.
King Charles III will be crowned in a ceremony that will reflect the diversity of the United Kingdom, and foreign monarchs are expected to attend, in a break with tradition.
The weekend will be filled with events that will bring communities together to celebrate the coronation of their new monarch.
From street parties to concerts, people will have the opportunity to come together and mark this historic occasion.
It is a time for unity, and the various events planned reflect this sentiment.