King Charles coronation latest — Police will need to deal with ‘new threat’ for historic Bank Holiday weekend
KING Charles' coronation will be watched by millions across the world and police will have to deal with a "new threat" that was not seen at the Queen's Jubilee.
A former head of royal protection has revealed what possible threats police officers will face during the coronation tomorrow.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Dai Davies said: "I'm afraid to say there is a new group which wasn't there at the Queen's funeral and they are the protesters. We've seen Just Stop Oil and others, some of whom have actually said they are going to disrupt the event.
"There are also groups like Republic who said they will have a peaceful protest in Trafalgar Square - that's one issue."
Read our coronation blog below for the latest news and info...
This blog has now closed..
This blog has now closed but fear not as you can keep up to date with the latest coronation news here.
Will there be local road closures for street parties?
New figures have suggested the across England, there will be over 3000 street parties - covering 263 miles, with Hampshire and Kent topping the leader boards.
Councils have approved 3,087 road closures for gatherings marking the royal event, according to the road management company one.network.
The most popular day will be Sunday, which is expected to host 62 per cent of the parties.
Some 27 per cent are planned for Saturday, while only 11 per cent are scheduled for bank holiday Monday.
Local road closures will differ between areas, so you should check your council's website for more information.
What roads are closed for King Charles' coronation?
In London, where millions are expected to flood into the capital to celebrate the historic event, huge swaths of roads near the procession route will be closed.
The day kicks off at 5am with restricted pedestrian access, however the processed will not begin until 10.20am, when the King and Queen Consort will be taken to Westminster Abbey in a highly-watched spectacle.
They will arrive at the ceremony at 10.53am, however road closures will be far more lasting and widespread throughout the three-day weekend.
From Mayfair to Waterloo and down to Victoria - the area will be relatively out of action for drivers from the afternoon of Friday May 5 until the end of Saturday May 6.
As the warns: "roads and parks around central London will be affected by significant road closures and parking suspensions".
Some restrictions have been in place since May 2, however the majority of restrictions start today, May 5.
400,000 hard-working heroes will get a King’s 'thank you' medal
The new medal will be issued to prison officers, members of the Royal Household, living recipients of the George and Victoria Crosses, emergency workers, Armed Forces personnel, choristers and St John Ambulance staff.
They must have been employed for five years or more.
But everyone working on the coronation — including the tens of thousands of military on parade, volunteers and police — will also get the medal irrespective of length of service.
Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?
The Champions League music derives from George Frideric Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’.
When the Champions League was rebranded in 1992, English composer Tony Britten was commissioned to write the new anthem.
He adapted the famous Zadok the Priest to create the tune that is traditionally played before huge European nights.
The anthem was initially composed in 1727 for the coronation of King George II.
It has since been traditionally performed during the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles' 'mind the gap' recording to play on trains this weekend
Across the UK, train passengers will be told to "mind the gap" by King Charles this weekend.
The King and Queen Consort recorded announcements which will be played between Friday and Monday at every railway station across the UK.
The King will be heard saying: "My wife and I wish you and your families a wonderful coronation weekend."
The Queen Consort then says: "Wherever you are travelling, we hope you have a safe and pleasant journey."
The message concludes with the King adding: "And remember, please mind the gap."
How to watch the Red Arrows over King Charles’ coronation
Brits nationwide will be counting down the days until King Charles’ coronation.
It will be the first coronation the nation will see in 70 years and the 40th since the crowning of William the Conqueror in 1066.
As is tradition with Royal events, a flypast of 60 aircrafts will fly over Buckingham Palace to mark the official crowning of the new King.
Many will gather on The Mall to watch the Red Arrows fly over the Palace in real-time.
However, for those unable attend in person, BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer will provide live coverage of the coronation from 7.30 am.
In pictures: Kate and Prince William take the Elizabeth line before meeting local businesses ahead of the coronation
The Prince and Princess of Wales were yesterday pictured as they headed to the Elizabeth line.
Kate and William travelled along the line to the Dog & Duck pub in Soho, in central London.
The royal couple made the trip to thank businesses preparing for the three-day coronation weekend.
Who are the Royal Watermen?
Until the middle of the nineteenth century the Sovereign regularly travelled on the River Thames for State occasions.
The men who rowed the Royal Barges were known as the Royal Watermen.
King Charles still retains 24 Royal Watermen under the command of The King’s Bargemaster.
The original number of 48 was halved by King Edward VII.
Royal Watermen are chosen from the ranks of the Thames Watermen whose business is manning tugs, lighters and launches, therefore earning their employment on the River.
How much will King Charles’ coronation cost?
The Operation Golden Orb committee, responsible for planning the historic ceremony, has estimated that King Charles III’s coronation is set to cost around £100million, but this figure hasn’t been confirmed.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation cost an estimated £1.57million – which is £46million in today’s money.
A source told The Sun: “In today’s money the 1953 coronation cost around £50million but estimates for King Charles’ are twice that because of things like security, which weren’t such a big issue back then.
“But worldwide TV rights will more than cover the cost and it will be a massive boost to tourism. Hotels are already being booked out for the Coronation weekend.”
TV star set to have huge role during King Charles’ coronation
TV star Tony Walker is set to have a huge role as a performer during King Charles’ coronation this weekend.
Tony, who has featured on the TV series ‘Up’ since he was just seven-years-old, will be singing in a choir at Windsor Castle during the ceremony.
He will stand alongside 300 other choir members, made up from amateur performers from across the country.
On his excitement on taking part, Tony Said: “After applying and being told we’d made it, my heart was bursting with pride.
“How privileged we are to be part of such a historical event.
“My mum, Nelly was there at the 1953 coronation with my two brothers and she would be so proud.
“She’d tell me to ‘Grasp it with two hands and appreciate this momentous occasion’.”
Read more here.
What is the Coronation Emblem?
The Coronation Emblem pays tribute to King Charles.
It is intended to be used by charities, companies and individuals to celebrate the coronation and the reign of the King.
The emblem features a rose, a thistle, a daffodil and a shamrock, which are symbols from all four nations across the United Kingdom.
In the middle of the emblem is the shape of the St Edward’s Crown, which was made for King Charles II and is the official crown for His Majesty King Charles III.
The whole emblem is designed in red, white and blue and features the words King Charles III Coronation May 6 2023.
Inside Prince Harry’s whistlestop coronation visit
Prince Harry‘s is set to return to the UK to attend his fathers coronation on May 6.
However, the Duke of Sussex isn’t planning on staying for long as he aims to be back in the US for son Archie’s fourth birthday.
An insider confirmed last night: “Harry will be in and out of the UK in 24 hours.
“He will only be doing the Coronation service then leaving.”
Is it legal to camp on The Mall ahead of the coronation?
There are no rules in place against camping on The Mall.
Royal fanatics want the best spot to witness historic occasions such as weddings, funerals and, coronations – so camping along the procession route has become tradition.
People have camped out for events such as the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, and the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen’s funeral had a no-tents rule on The Mall, but royal fans ignored orders and camped anyway.
Love Island star lands surprise last minute invite to King Charles’s coronation
A Love Island star will be heading to Windsor Castle this weekend after landing a surprise last minute invitation to King Charles’ coronation.
Tasha Ghouri, 23, who was the ITV2 show’s first-ever deaf contestant last summer, will proudly attend the Coronation Concert and a reception beforehand.
She shared a picture of the royal invite on her Instagram before sharing an emotional post about her disability.
Tasha wrote: “I don’t often talk about the struggles that come with being deaf and wearing a cochlear implant.
“I deal with social anxiety massively – a lot of that coming from the abelist comments I received and still do to this day.
“Common thoughts that run through my head is ‘what if i cant hear whoever is speaking to me’, ‘what if i completely misunderstand’, ‘what if my voice gets judged’, ‘what if someone comes over and takes out my implant’, and so many more.
“It’s something I’m still coping with and it’s a journey for sure.”
What is the Coronation Oath?
As part of the coronation the monarch takes oaths as he is made the King.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will ask Charles a series of questions relating to governing the realms and territories and if he is willing to take the oath.
The Archbishop will ask at the beginning of the service: “Your Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely.
“The Coronation Oath has stood for centuries and is enshrined in law. Are you willing to take the Oath?”
At the end of the oath, King Charles will say: “I Charles do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law.”
What are the readings in King Charles' coronation service?
King Charles' coronation service takes place on May 6, 2023.
The readings in the service will use traditional language and texts from the King James Bible.
The service will also reflect the changes in the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953.
These new elements have been chosen to express the theme of the Christian faith and contemporary Monarchy.
It also hopes to represent and celebrate the diversity of the nation today.
A new Epistle has been selected for this coronation, which will be Colossians 1:9-17.
The reading is taken from the first chapter of the Epistle
to the Colossians, beginning at the ninth verse.Were there street parties for the Queen’s coronation?
There were street parties for the late Queen’s coronation in 1953.
Tables were placed down the middle of the road and everybody shared their food.
There was tea and coronation cake, and people took part in fancy dress competitions.
Food items were still rationalised in 1953, but households were allowed to buy an extra 1lb of sugar and 4oz of margarine for the big day.
Many people made spam sandwiches and had jelly and ice cream as their party food choices.
Who is reading at King Charles' coronation?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will read from a biblical book that will resonate with the multi-faith theme being struck for the Christian ceremony.
Lambeth Palace said: "The Archbishop of Canterbury has selected a new Epistle for this Coronation, which will be Colossians 1:9-17.
"This passage has been chosen to reflect the theme of service to others, and the loving rule of Christ over all people and all things, which runs through this Coronation Liturgy.
"Following recent tradition of British Prime Ministers giving readings at State occasions - as Head of the host Nation's government - this will be read by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak."
Discover coronation events happening in your area
Thousands of events will take place across the country this weekend, as Brits celebrate the coronation of King Charles.
With that in mind, the government has shared a handy map to find out what's happening in your area.
Follow the link below to find out:
Royal astrologer reveals what King Charles' reign will bring
KING Charles will be a revolutionary monarch and trigger an intense shake-up, according to Princess Diana's former astrologer and close friend.
Royal astrologer Debbie Frank worked with the late Princess Diana for years, guiding her through some of the most turbulent parts of her life with her astrological predictions.
She told The Sun: "Prince Charles was born on an eclipse as were both Kate and William, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana were married during eclipse season and Princess Diana died on a solar eclipse.
"This lunar eclipse is in the sign of Scorpio, Charles’s own birth sign which is a personal trigger point for the hand of destiny to make its mark with this transition of power.
"The sign of Scorpio requires challenge in order to embody their symbol of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
"We can see in the life story of King Charles that he’s no stranger to this theme. In his time he’s been called to discover his own resilience and capacity for re-birth.
"Now he’s entering a big push care of Pluto and Uranus which ask him to step right up to the plate, rise above the turmoil and also be a revolutionary monarch.
"His reign begins under conditions which bring his own powerful nature to the surface."
How much are the Crown Jewels worth?
There’s a common misconception that the Crown Jewels refers only to a few crowns in possession of the Royal family.
However, the term is actually used to describe the collection of more than 100 ceremonial objects which boast a spectacular 23,578 precious gemstones.
It includes the Imperial State Crown, sceptres, orbs, swords, rings, and other regalia worn by the monarchy.
And at the heart of the collection are the Coronation Regalia – the “the sacred objects used during the coronation ceremony.”
There are strict rules surrounding the Crown Jewels and only three people in the world are allowed to touch the Imperial State Crown – the current monarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Crown Jeweller.
Part of the wider Royal Collection, the jewels represent over 800 years of rich Royal history.
The crown jewels are not insured against loss and are unlikely to ever be sold.
And while they are officially priceless but estimated to be worth anywhere between £1billion to £5billion.
Will the coronation be available online?
The coronation will also be available to stream online on a number of platforms.
This includes the , and .
It is yet to be revealed if it will be broadcast on other streaming sites like, for example, YouTube.
King Charles’ Pages of Honour
Being chosen as a Page of Honour to a monarch in state events is a special privilege.
The Page of Honour is a ceremonial position in the Royal Household of the Sovereign.
The role is typically given to children with close ties to the royal family, either by blood or friendship.
Both the King and Queen Consort will have four Pages of Honour each.
King Charles’ Pages of Honour are:
- Prince George, Charles’ grandson
- Oliver Cholmondeley, son of Charles’ Lord in Waiting David Cholmondeley
- Ralph Tollemache, son of Charles’ godson Edward
- Nicholas Barclay, distant relative and grandson of Camilla’s close friend
BREAKING: Man detained under Mental Health act ‘after throwing shotgun cartridges into Buckingham Palace’
A man who was arrested for allegedly throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Just days before King Charles’ coronation, the Metropolitan Police swooped on David Huber, 59, just after 7pm on Tuesday.
The man was detained on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found.
A controlled explosion was carried out near the gates, which was heard by royal fans setting up camp along The Mall to ensure front-row seats for the historic event this weekend.
Now cops have revealed the man was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital, with officers saying he will remain on bail whilst receiving medical care.
