On Saturday, May 6th, the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be held in Westminster Abbey, London. Before and after the ceremony, there will be ceremonial processions taking place in the city. If you are unable to attend the events in person, you can watch them on national television, radio, or online. Additionally, large screens will be set up at screening sites throughout London and the rest of the country. To watch the processions in person, you can visit Hyde Park, The Green Park, or St James’s Park, or find other screening sites in your local area on the Coronation.GOV.UK website. If you have any access requirements, the website’s accessibility section provides information on accessible viewing areas and quiet spaces. You can also find a BSL (British Sign Language) video summary of the Coronation weekend on the website.
It’s important to note that a large turnout is anticipated for the event, and road closures will be implemented to ensure everyone’s safety. Due to the expected number of people attending, public transportation services may be heavily congested. Some stations may be closed, and bus routes may be diverted, particularly in the Westminster and Hyde Park areas.
All You Need to Know About the Coronation
The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be held on May 6th, starting with ‘The King’s Procession’ at 10:20 am. Their Majesties will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by six Windsor Grey horses, with the Sovereign’s Escort provided by the Household Cavalry. The procession will travel along The Mall, Admiralty Arch, and Whitehall, before arriving at Parliament Square and reaching Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service, which will commence at 11 am and end at 1 pm.
After the service, there will be ‘The Coronation Procession’, where Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace, traveling in the Gold State Coach, drawn by eight Windsor Grey horses. The procession will last for approximately
Guide to Watching
The Coronation processions and service will be broadcast live on national television, radio, and online. To watch the processions in person, viewing areas along the procession route in London are available. However, there won’t be any screens along the route. If you prefer to watch the broadcast of events, including the Coronation service, you can visit one of the screening sites.
The London screening sites in Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park will display the day’s events on large screens, allowing you to watch the Coronation processions and service. You can find out how to visit these screening sites by following the guidelines.
Moreover, you can participate in other celebrations and events and watch the processions and services at screening sites throughout the country. Visit the Coronation.GOV.UK website to find events in your local area and get involved in the celebrations, such as hosting a Coronation Big Lunch or street party, and taking part in the Big Help Out.
Getting to London: A Guide
The major railway stations in London that you can use to travel to the viewing areas or screening sites include London Blackfriars, London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross, London Euston, London King’s Cross, London Liverpool Street, London Bridge, London Marylebone, Farringdon, London Paddington, London St Pancras International, London Victoria, London Waterloo, and London Waterloo East. The Transport for London journey planner can assist you in continuing your journey, but please note that transport services are expected to be very busy before and after the Coronation service, and queues at stations are likely. You can plan your journey within London using the Transport for London journey planner to get to the procession viewing areas or screening sites. Before traveling, make sure to check the latest travel information from National Rail Enquiries and Transport for London status updates, and allow more time than usual for your journey. Stay updated with the latest travel information by following National Rail Enquiries on Twitter or downloading the TfL Go app. After the events, police and stewards will direct you to the exits and nearby transport hubs. If possible, avoid traveling immediately after the events, as services are expected to be very busy. Plenty of trains will run during the day and late into the evening, so check in advance when your last available service departs if you plan on catching a late-night train.
Viewing Areas for the Procession
If you want to watch the Coronation processions live in person, you can do so from the designated viewing areas along the procession route, located on both sides of The Mall and Whitehall in London. These areas will open at 6am on Saturday 6 May. Please avoid arriving before this time.
The King’s Procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey will take place before the Coronation service, which begins at 11am. The Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace will take place after the Coronation service.
There is an accessible viewing area available for people with access requirements, as well as a quiet viewing space. For more information, please read the accessibility section.
Please note that the viewing areas are expected to be crowded, and you may need to queue to enter them. Follow the instructions provided by stewards and the police, who will ensure that everyone enters safely and securely.
Capacity at the viewing areas will be limited, and they will be closed when they reach full capacity. If the viewing area you plan to visit is full, you will be directed to another viewing.
How to Reach the Viewing Areas
The following table displays the recommended London Underground or National Rail stations to access the viewing areas along the procession route, which may differ from your usual station due to diversions and road closures. Stewards will guide you to the viewing areas, and there will be signs marking the walking routes.
It is advised to check for short-term safety measures at transport stations before you travel, such as queuing, closures, trains not stopping at certain stations, or changes to entry or exit points. On Saturday 6 May, St James’s Park station will be closed, Hyde Park Corner station will be exit only, and Victoria station will have limited access to the procession route due to road closures. If you exit at Victoria, you may be directed to the Hyde Park screening site.
It’s important to note that the viewing areas have limited capacity and may close before the events begin. Follow the directions provided by stewards and the police, who will monitor crowd numbers and ensure everyone stays safe.
After the events, stewards and police will direct you to the exits and nearby transport hubs. Remember to check for the latest travel information before your onward journey, as service updates may have changed. You can find up-to-date travel information by following National Rail Enquiries on Twitter or downloading the TfL Go app.
It is recommended to avoid traveling immediately after the events if possible, as services will be busy. There will be plenty of trains running during the day and late into the evening.
Viewing area Recommended stations The Mall Accessible viewing area Waterloo (London Underground, National Rail) This station has step-free access Charing Cross (London Underground, National Rail) Piccadilly Circus (London Underground) Green Park (London Underground) This station has step-free access
Whitehall Embankment (London Underground, National Rail) Westminster (London Underground) This station has step-free access to Charing Cross (London Underground, National Rail).
Viewing Areas and Quiet Spaces for Accessibility
Accessible viewing areas are available for individuals with access requirements, but they have limited capacity, and admission is based on the order of arrival. Accompanying carers or companions may join people using the accessible viewing areas, but space will be restricted.
The accessible viewing areas will be equipped with stewards to manage the areas, dedicated ground-level locations for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and others with access requirements, as well as a British Sign Language interpreter, a hearing loop for hearing aid users, welfare points to provide assistance as necessary, disabled people’s toilets, Changing Places toilets, and facilities for assistance dogs. All accessible areas at viewing areas and screening sites are at ground level, and hard-floored areas and grassed areas will be available. The grassed areas are designated for picnicking, and visitors can bring their own picnic chairs for use in these areas.