Well-wishers line the route of the ‘King’s Procession’, a two kilometres stretch from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, in central London, on May 6, 2023 ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III. SEBASTIEN BOZON/Pool via REUTERS
LONDON — Below is a look at the key timings during the coronation of King Charles on Saturday.
0630 GMT: Doors of London’s Westminster Abbey open to the congregation. Music begins an hour and a half later.
0810-0845 GMT: Military personnel will line the ceremonial route in central London.
0830-0855 GMT: Heads of state and overseas government representatives arrive at the abbey
0920 GMT: The king’s procession begins. Charles and Camilla will be escorted by cavalry divisions and musicians on the route to Westminster Abbey. They will pass along The Mall, a grand avenue outside the palace, which will be lined by crowds.
0925 GMT: Members of foreign royal families arrive at the abbey.
0935-0945 GMT: Members of the British royal family arrive.
0953 GMT: The king’s procession arrives and the bells of the abbey are rung.
1000 GMT: The two-hour coronation ceremony begins.
1100 GMT: Charles will be crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. A fanfare will sound and gun salutes will be fired at the Tower of London and across the capital, the nation, in Gibraltar, Bermuda and on ships at sea.
1200 GMT: The Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace begins, with Charles and Camilla traveling in the Gold State Coach.
Prince William, Charles’ son and heir, along with his wife Kate and their three children, will travel in the first carriage behind Charles. Other working members of the royal family will follow behind.
1245 GMT: The Coronation Procession reaches Buckingham Palace. Charles and Camilla will proceed to the garden for the Royal Salute from members of the armed forces before joining other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
1330 GMT: There will be a flypast of modern and historic military aircraft after which the royals will gather for an informal family lunch.