Britain urges parties, volunteering to accompany coronation

LONDON (AP) – Buckingham Palace plans a weekend of community events and volunteerism to mark the coronation of King Charles III, when Britain crowns a new sovereign for the first time in 70 years.

The plans were revealed on Saturday when the palace released the schedule for the three-day coronation weekend, which begins with the coronation of Charles and Camilla, the queen consort, on Saturday, May 6.

There will be a procession from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey before the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. This will be followed by another procession, with Charles and Camilla joined by other members of the royal family, and an appearance on the balcony of the palace.

But there will be much more to the weekend than crowns, scepters and ermine robes.

The Palace wants the coronation to demonstrate that the monarchy still has a role to play in a multicultural nation struggling to deal with the cost of living crisis, budget cuts and a wave of strikes by public sector workers .

While there was widespread respect for Queen Elizabeth II, as demonstrated by the thousands of people who waited for hours to file her coffin following her death in September, there is no guarantee that reverence will extend to her eldest son. will be transferred to

The coronation will be a solemn service presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, but the palace is also planning a weekend of events that highlight the different communities and cultures that have contributed to modern Britain.

The palace is asking neighborhoods across the country to attend a “Coronation Big Luncheon” on Sunday, May 7 — the latest incarnation of the block parties that have become a staple of big royal celebrations.

That night there will be a concert at Windsor Castle, featuring a choir from amateur troupes from across the United Kingdom, including refugee singers, National Health Service singers, LGBTQ singing groups and deaf signing singers. The “Coronation Choir” will perform with another choir made up of singers from across the Commonwealth, appearing virtually during the televised concert, which will also feature as-yet unannounced headliners.

During the concert, venues across the country will be illuminated using projection, laser and drone displays.

The following day, the palace is inviting people across the country to take part in ‘The Big Help Out’, encouraging them to volunteer in their own communities.

“The Big Help Out will encourage people to volunteer and get involved in the work they are doing to support their local areas,” the palace said in a statement. “The Big Help Out aims to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from Coronation Weekend.”