As the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla draws closer, new information has emerged regarding the grand procession that will follow the ceremony at
Westminster Abbey. This procession will be larger in scale than the one that led The King and Queen to the Abbey for their coronation. However, it will follow the same route as the King’s procession to the coronation.
The carriages will depart from Westminster Abbey and move across the east and south sides of Parliament Square. The procession will also pass through Parliament Street, Whitehall, and Admiralty before heading to Buckingham Palace along the Mall. The procession will include members of the Armed Forces from across the Commonwealth and British Overseas Territories, as well as all services of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom. The Royal Watermen and The Sovereign’s Bodyguard will also be present during the procession.
Their Majesties will leave Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach, which was last seen by the public during the Pageant of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022. The coach was first used by King George III in 1762 to travel to the State Opening of Parliament and has been used at every coronation since the coronation of William IV in 1831. Drawn by eight Windsor Greys, the coach will travel at a walking pace due to its weight of four tonnes. This will give the crowds lining the streets an opportunity to wave to Their Majesties and take in the historic moment.
Upon arriving at Buckingham Palace, Their Majesties will receive a Royal Salute from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces who participated in the procession. The salute will be followed by three cheers from the assembled service personnel. The Armed Forces on Parade will also pay tribute to the new monarchs.
The ceremony at Westminster Abbey is set to begin at 11 am, with Queen Elizabeth II's coronation service lasting nearly three hours. Depending on the pace of the ceremony and procession, it is likely that the public can expect a balcony appearance by the new King and Queen in the late afternoon.
In summary, the procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace following the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be a grand affair, featuring members of the Armed Forces and historical vehicles such as the Gold State Coach. The public can expect an exciting and historic event as the new monarchs make their way through the streets of London. Photo by Dan Marsh, Wikimedia commons.