No one does pomp and pageantry better than the Brits, and on 6 May, as most of the world watches on, the UK will officially crown our new monarch King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla. It will be the high point of a right royal, three-day shindig, with a Bank Holiday Monday added to the weekend to round off the extended coronation celebrations.
On the big day, as choirs sing and anthems play, every available seat in Westminster Abbey will be filled by bejewelled and bemedalled European royals, numerous heads of state and world leaders, plus dignitaries and VIPs from across the globe. And after the spectacular and historic ceremony, thousands upon thousands of flag-waving patriots will cram the streets, hoping for a glimpse of the King and Queen as they travel back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach. At home, millions more will raise a glass to the next chapter in the extraordinary chronicles of our monarchy.
The following day sees the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, with 10,000 tickets given away to lucky members of the public to enjoy music from top British A-list superstars. It seems, though, that far fewer of those expected A-listers will actually be performing. Household names such as Adele and Ed Sheeran have turned down the gig, even though King Charles is said to have personally requested their presence. Harry Styles has also declined the invitation, as has Robbie Williams. Even Buckingham Palace’s attempt to orchestrate a Spice Girls reunion ended in failure. There will be superstars performing, just not necessarily British ones. There’s Kylie for one, and Lionel Richie. But why the absence of so many Brit hit-makers? The celebrations are reckoned to be costing taxpayers in excess of £100m, so might some superstars agree with those critics who find it too high a price during a cost-of-living crisis? The final bill could have soared even higher, but we’re told the king ordered a “slimmed-down” coronation. Even so, the government claims this event will boost the economy by billions. Surely, the whole country would raise a cheer to that?
