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Saturday April 29th, 2023
For this issue, we’ve collated a few facts about the two ‘main events’ in the UK in May. Next month marks King Charles III’s Coronation, when he becomes the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. And 37 nations will perform at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, which the UK is hosting in Liverpool on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine.
On 6th May, we’ll officially welcome King Charles to the throne in a ceremony that dates back hundreds of years and is the only remaining event of its type in Europe.
Code-named Operation Golden Orb, this coronation is no exception in terms of the detailed planning and preparation required, although it will feature a smaller congregation than Queen Elizabeth II’s. More than 8,000 guests attended her coronation in 1953, meaning Westminster Abbey had to be closed for five months so extra seating could be constructed. The Abbey’s normal capacity is about 2,200, which is likely to be the maximum congregation size for King Charles III’s coronation.
As a state occasion, the UK government controls the guest list. In addition to the Royal Family, guests will include the prime minister, representatives from the Houses of Parliament, heads of state, and other royals from around the world.
For nearly a thousand years, since the Norman Conquest in 1066, the ceremony has taken place at Westminster Abbey, London. And since the late 14th century, every coronation ceremony has essentially followed the same order of service. It’s displayed in the medieval illuminated Latin manuscript, the Liber Regalis, which you can see in the Abbey’s Galleries.
There are several stages to the coronation ceremony:
King Charles III is to be crowned with St Edward’s crown; the historic centrepiece of the Crown Jewels worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation in 1953. Made for the last King Charles in 1661, King Edward’s crown in its current form replaced the original medieval crown, believed to date back to the eleventh century and the last Anglo-Saxon king, Edward the Confessor.
The Queen Consort will then be anointed in the same way and crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, recently removed from the Tower of London to be resized in readiness. It’s probably the first time in recent history that an existing crown has been ‘recycled’ for a coronation.
Interestingly, if the new sovereign is a queen, her consort is not crowned or anointed at the coronation ceremony.
The music for the ceremony has been chosen by the King. His ‘playlist’ features a dozen newly commissioned pieces, including an anthem from world-famous composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Some of the service will be sung in Welsh, with soloists including Welsh opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel. There will also be Greek Orthodox music in memory of the King’s father, Prince Philip, who was born in Greece. Choristers from Westminster School will perform alongside a gospel choir, in an eclectic mix of music and song.
A campaign to recruit thousands of bellringers aims to have church bells ringing out up and down the UK on 6th May to mark King Charles III’s coronation. Read more at www.ringfortheking.org.
Brits can enjoy a bonus bank holiday on Monday 8th May, and Buckingham Palace has announced various events for the coronation weekend, including a concert and laser light show at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th May.
Pubs, clubs and bars across England and Wales are allowed to open for longer over the coronation weekend, with licensing hours extended by two hours each day from the Friday until the Sunday evening.
More than 30 screens will be set up across the country, screening the coronation coverage. Confirmed sites include Cardiff Castle, Belfast City Hall, Piece Hall in Halifax, Jubilee Square in Brighton and Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester.
Look out for more coronation-themed events with the official coronation logo featuring a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock – emblems from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Liverpool plays host to the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on Ukraine’s behalf next month. On Saturday 13th May, the BBC will film the grand final from the Liverpool Arena, located next to the river Mersey and boasting a capacity of 11,000. When tickets went on sale last month, they sold out within 2.5 hours. But it’s still worth heading to the city to soak up all it has to offer.
As the European Capital of Culture in 2008, Liverpool has more galleries and museums than any other UK city except London: Museum of Liverpool, Spaceport Planetarium, Tate Liverpool, and more. It’s a UNESCO City of Music and retains a strong connection with the world of arts, especially with music, not least because it’s the ‘home’ of The Beatles.
As well as all the museums, galleries, artworks and architecture on offer, there are pop-up events planned to mark the Eurovision. A Floating Earth artwork will grace the Royal Albert Docks from the end of April until 18th May and there are lots of live music events planned too. Find out more about the programme here: https://eurovision.tv/whats-on-liverpool-eurovision-2023
Explore the city and get a close-up insight into its history and architecture with a Treasure Map Trails tour, ideal for explorers aged 5 to 12. The family-run company has two maps for the city, one exploring the docks and one the Pier Head and Three Graces. There are maps for nearby Chester too, home to the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain. Chester also boasts a beautiful 1,000-year-old cathedral with magnificent medieval carvings, and the two-tiered ‘Rows’, covered shopping galleries that date back 700 years.
Packed with puzzling challenges and brainteasers, wacky photo opportunities and interactive experiences, Liverpool’s Quirky Quarter is ideal for anyone who enjoys seeing a new perspective. It’s a fun-filled day out for all the family in ‘a world where nothing is quite what it seems’. Find out more and book at: https://www.quirkyquarter.com/
National UK charity The Reader is based in Calderstones Park, home to the ‘Law Oak’ and ancient megaliths thought to be older than Stonehenge. (It’s also not far from two of the Beatles’ childhood homes, both now owned by the National Trust and open to the public. Why not combine a visit?) The charity hosts weekly, seasonal and special events at its Story Barn, ‘a magical, multi-purpose family space’ and reading retreat for children and their grown-ups. With weekly courses and drop-in sessions for children aged 1 to 9, as well as events designed for autistic children and families with sensory conditions, the Story Barn ‘brings people together and books to life’ as per The Reader’s mission. Find out more at: https://www.thereader.org.uk/visit-calderstones/the-storybarn/
Until next time…
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“ REGENCY EDUCATION WAS ABLE TO HELP US WITH EVERY STEP OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS ENSURING THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN - AN INVALUABLE SERVICE. ”
