The Coronation of Charles III and Camilla: Everything We Know So Far

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, Charles III ascended to the throne of England. Since then, he has delivered his first address to the nation, chaired the Historic Accession Council, engaged in conversations with world leaders, and begun assuming his new roles as sovereign, head of the Commonwealth, and Supreme Governor of the Church.

The coronation of Charles III is set to take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, over eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This date falls just ahead of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. While she acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952, her coronation did not occur until June 2, 1953, following a period of mourning for her father, King George VI, a tradition that King Charles has decided to adhere to. Westminster Abbey has been the site of English coronations for over 900 years, and the next coronation is unlikely to deviate from this tradition, at least in this sense.

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone or the Coronation Stone, a legendary relic, will be part of Charles III’s coronation. This 150 kg red sandstone block is a sacred symbol of the Scottish monarchy, with its origins shrouded in mystery. It is often kept at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, along with the rest of the jewels from the crown. One of its names originates from Scone Abbey, where Scottish kings were crowned in the Middle Ages until it was “captured” and taken to Westminster Abbey. In 1996, it was decided to return it to Scotland, on the condition that it could be moved for each coronation. In 2023, the Stone of Destiny returned to Westminster in a ceremonial act, just in time to witness a new reign, that of Charles III.

However, while sharing the same historic location, Charles III’s coronation may differ significantly from his mother’s coronation. In a press release confirming the coronation date, Buckingham Palace noted that while the ceremony “has maintained a similar structure for over a thousand years” and “will include similar core elements,” it will also acknowledge the “spirit of our times” and “reflect the current role of the monarch and his vision for the future.”

According to The Telegraph, the preparation process, codenamed Operation Golden Orb, will reflect the new king’s approach to “a smaller, more modern monarchy.” Various sources have assured the publication that the ceremony will be shorter than the three-hour spectacle reserved for the queen’s coronation. It will also be less costly (as the government foots the bill, the king has expressed a desire for this service to be “reasonably priced”) and will include more representatives from various religions and communities to more closely reflect the nation’s ethnic diversity.