Crowning glory

WE LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING OVER THE CORONATION WEEKEND, BOTH NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY.

This month sees the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, which will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. Conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury, the service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.

Following the service, on Sunday 7 May, a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC. There will also be a Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country on the same date.

On Monday 8 May, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

Here we look at the specifics of the big day as well as events happening locally, in case you can’t make it to London or Windsor for the pomp and ceremony.

Saturday 6 May

The Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’.

After the Service, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Their Majesties will be joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family.

At Buckingham Palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.

Sunday 7 May The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

The Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion. Rumoured performers include Lionel Richie, Sir Paul McCartney and Take That.

Attended by a public audience including volunteers from The King and The Queen Consort’s many charity affiliations, the concert will see a worldclass orchestra play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by some of the world’s biggest entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance. The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen.

Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will also see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir. This diverse group will be created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom, such as Refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs.

The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

What’s happening locally?

In Sheffield, plans around the Coronation of King Charles III will see people from all over come and enjoy celebrations with live music, acts and a big screen to watch all the action over the Bank Holiday weekend.

‘The Lord Mayor’s Coronation Party’ will take place in the Peace Gardens on Saturday 6 May, with The King’s Concert taking place on Sunday 7 May, where the whole of the gardens will be decorated red, white and blue for a series of events.

A staged area will be the focal point for live musical performances such as brass bands, swing bands and more, playing music from a range of genres to appeal to all ages. These performances will take place before and after the live broadcast of the Coronation.

On Sunday 7 May, The King’s Concert will be broadcast live from Windsor. The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

Residents and visitors in Chesterfield are invited to a special tea dance to help celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

The Ashby “Little” Big Band with six musicians and a singer will be on hand play a mix of ballroom and sequence at the special event that will be held in the auditorium at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Tuesday 2 May 2023. Hosted by Chesterfield Borough Council, the event will help to mark the first Coronation of a UK monarch for nearly 70 years.

Tickets are priced at £7.50 and can be purchased at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01246 345222.