Britain is gearing up for days of pomp and splendor in early May when its new monarch is crowned in a coronation ceremony not seen in the country in 70 years.
Millions are expected to come and go around the UK to witness the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6 – the first part of the celebrations three days long culminating in a public holiday on May 8.
According to data from travel agency Red Savannah, travel requests to the UK increased by 90% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023 as more people look to make plans to visit the UK. .
The king has pledged to host an event larger than that organized by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. However, the historic occasion will be marked by royal events. throughout London as well as across the country.
These are CNBC Travel’s top picks for how to spend the coronation weekend.
Watch the procession
The coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May in a ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Entrance to the ceremony is for guests only and will be limited to around 2,000 family, friends, heads of state and important figures. But the service will be live-streamed and viewable on big screens in a number of public locations across the UK.
Westminster Abbey in London will host the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023.
Peter Dazeley | Getty Images News | beautiful pictures
Members of the public will also be able to gather in the streets of Westminster to watch the “King’s Parade”. Starting at Buckingham Palace, it will pass the Mall, Navy Arch, King Charles I Island, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and the Broad Reserve, before ending at Westminster Abbey .
After the coronation, the newly crowned king and queen will perform a larger ceremony, which will follow the same route in reverse and include other members of the Royal Family, before appearing for the first time. on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Overnight like royalty
Some London hotels have special coronation packages for those who like to spend a night like royalty during the celebration.
The Cafe Royal Hotel in Piccadilly is offering a “The Crown Jewels Experience,” for £12,995 ($16,135), guests can enjoy a tour of the Tower of London aboard a chauffeur-driven limousine and a private view of the crown jewels, as well as a night in a two-bedroom royal suite of the hotel and a room in the breakfast room.
A range of London hotels are offering coronation experiences, including afternoon teas and exclusive tours, to give guests a taste of royal life.
Royal Cafe Hotel
For £2,345, Dukes London’s is offering a two-night stay in the executive suite, as well as a breakfast of Exmoor caviar and champagne, traditional cream tea, a four-course dinner, as part of the programme. “The royal connoisseur experience.” And at the Strand Palace, guests can “Be like a king” for $845, with a two-night stay, breakfast buffet, free minibar, and a bottle of champagne.
Elsewhere, Four Seasons’ “City and Country” The package offers a two-night stay at its Mayfair location, before guests are whisked off into the countryside for two more nights at the Four Seasons Hampshire, complete with afternoon tea and a horseback riding experience at the on-site stables .
Explore London’s regal attractions
Visitors to London can also learn about the city’s regal history with a tour of the capital’s main royal attractions.
Starting at Buckingham Palace – the official residence of the British sovereign since 1837 – tourists can watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, before exploring the Queen’s Gallery and the Household Cavalry Museum .
Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the reigning UK monarch, is open to outside tours over coronation weekend.
Dea / W.Buss | De Agostini | beautiful pictures
Nearby, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace — once the residence of Princess Diana — and the Tower of London, all offer the chance to explore the grandeur of the British monarchy over the centuries.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of London, visitors can also visit Hampton Court, Henry VIII’s favorite royal residence, and Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s final resting place.
Picnic in the Royal Park
London’s Royal Parks offers a simpler way to soak up the royal atmosphere over coronation weekend.
Kensington Palace Gardens, Regent’s, Green, Hyde and St James’s parks are lush havens amidst the hustle and bustle of central London.
Britons and foreign visitors have previously gathered in large numbers to celebrate royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Celebration in 2022.
Joel Ford | afp | beautiful pictures
The latter three will host the procession and coronation on the big screen, offering the chance to join the celebration with a picnic.
A little further afield, the Richmond, Greenwich and Bushy parks all have wide open spaces to enjoy weekend festivities.
Explore the famous castles of England
For a more comprehensive view of England’s royal landmarks, tourists can start a tour of England’s regal castles.
The grounds and interiors of certain UK royal residences are open to the public at certain times of the year.
One World Image | Universal Image Group | beautiful pictures
Highgrove Estate, home of the king and queen, Sandringham House, the Norfolk residence of the royal family, and Holkham Hall are some of the regal residences and gardens open to tours, although some times Opening will change by coronation weekend.
Further out in Scotland, the public can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the King in Edinburgh, Balmoral Castle, the residence of the Scottish royal family, or tour the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Flirting in Windsor Gardens
A live coronation concert will be held at Windsor Castle on May 7, with 10,000 tickets made available to the public via a ballot.
Ed Sheeran is one of many legendary British artists who will perform on stage at Buckingham Palace during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration on 5 June 2022, in London.
Samir Hussein | Wireimage | beautiful pictures
While several famous musicians including Elton John, Adele and Harry Styles have reported decline the invitation To perform, the concert is expected to feature appearances by Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli, as well as a range of dance, art and orchestra performances.
Hosted by the British public broadcaster BBC, the concert will also be televised live to viewers across the country.
Celebrate with a street party
Local communities will also host a series of smaller events and street parties throughout the weekend, with people encouraged to share meals with their neighbors during the coronation. Big lunch on May 7th.
Street parties are a quintessentially British way to celebrate royal occasions, with neighbors and the local community often gathering outside to share food, drink and games.
Stuart C. Wilson | Getty Images Entertainment | beautiful pictures
Don’t worry if you don’t have a neighborhood party to attend. Several businesses will host community events with food stalls and live performances, including Grosvenor Square in London and Battersea Power Station.
On May 8, people were also invited to participate in volunteer projects in their local area as part of the Great help charity program.
