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When and what is the Coronation?

A ceremony is taking place on Saturday, 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, a church in London.

During this religious ceremony, a crown will be placed on King Charles’s head to show that he is King of the United Kingdom. He is also the king of 14 other Commonwealth countries. These are states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations – an organisation made up mainly of former parts of the British Empire.

Charles’s wife, whose title is Queen Consort Camilla, will also be crowned. This event is called a coronation. In fact, Charles III became king the moment his mother Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022.

What else happens during the ceremony?

Apart from having the crown put on his head, the King will make promises to defend the law and the Church of England. This kind of official promise is called an ‘oath’, and the verb we use to describe making an oath is ‘swear’. King Charles will swear an oath.

The ceremony will be conducted by the person with the highest position in the Church of England, apart from the King. This is the Archbishop of Canterbury. He will rub special oils on the hands, breast and head of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.

Who will be at the Coronation?

Most members of the Royal Family will be there, but not the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. Senior politicians from around the world and members of other royal families are invited. It is not traditional for US presidents to attend coronations, and President Joe Biden will not go to the ceremony. However, his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, will attend instead.

How will people mark the occasion?

After the Coronation of King Charles, there will be a special celebration concert. Artists including Katy Perry, Take That and Lionel Ritchie will perform.

People in the UK are being encouraged to hold street parties, and there is an extra national holiday, known as a ‘bank holiday’. Some people who are not in favour of monarchy will hold protests and discuss the future of the Royal Family.

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