Preparations for “Operation Golden Orb” – the code name for the King’s Coronation events in London – have been happening behind the scenes for months.
On Saturday 6th May, there will be a 1.3-mile Coronation procession where crowds will see Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla before and after the service at Westminster Abbey.
Compared to Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation procession that ran for 5 miles, King Charles III’s is considerably shorter, so if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the pair in the decorative coaches, preparation (and an early start) is key.
London-based travel expert Jacob Wedderburn-Day at Stasher explains everything you need to know if you want to watch the procession in-person…
Where is the procession route?
The first procession, known as the “King’s Procession”, will run from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Their Majesties will travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by 6 Windsor Grey horses, escorted by the Household Cavalry.
It will proceed down The Mall, through Admiralty Arch, down Whitehall and along Parliament Street. The procession will travel around the east and south sides of Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary and arrive at Westminster Abbey where the Coronation Service will begin promptly at 11am.
Once the service has finished, the “Coronation Procession” will repeat the same route but reversed, back to Buckingham Palace. This time, their Majesties will travel in the Gold State Coach last seen during the Pageant of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022.
What time is the procession route open to the public?
In-person viewing areas will be set up along the procession route on both sides of Whitehall and The Mall. There will also be dedicated accessible and quiet viewing areas on the north side of The Mall, close to Trafalgar Square and the south side of The Mall, near the South African Royal Artillery Memorial.
The public is advised not to arrive at a viewing area earlier than 6am or you will be turned away. This means no camping overnight to secure a spot, either.
What if the viewing areas along the route reach capacity?
Capacity will be limited at the viewing areas and officials will close them once they’re full. If you leave a viewing area, readmission won’t be guaranteed.
If you’re denied entry on the day, there are free screening sites nearby in Hyde Park, St. James’s Park and Green Park where you can soak up the atmosphere. These areas will be open from 5am and you’ll have access to first aid points, water refill stations, toilets and pop-up food and drink kiosks.
Will tube stations near the procession route be open?
St James’s Park station will be closed, Hyde Park Corner station will be exit only and Victoria station will have limited access to the procession route due to road closures.
Stewards may put in place short-term safety measures at other stations nearby too, including Green Park, Charing Cross, Embankment and Westminster if they get too busy. These include queuing systems, temporary closures, trains skipping stations, or making stations entrance or exit only.
If you don’t mind walking a short distance, consider getting off one or two stops earlier than these stations to avoid the crowds. If you need step-free access, Waterloo, Westminster and Green Park are best.
Safety measures to expect on the day
You can expect officials to search you or your bag upon entry to the viewing areas to keep everyone safe.
As space will be limited, travel as light as possible but don’t skip the essentials. You should be prepared for a typical spring day in London – sun, showers and wind. Take food, water and a portable phone battery too. Comfortable shoes are also a must as you’ll be on your feet all day.
If you have large bags, you could pre-book a luggage storage location nearby for a small cost to keep them safe for the day. This option is also great if you’ve had to check out of a hotel or Airbnb on the Coronation morning or are waiting to check-in late afternoon on the day.
In crowds, always keep your wits about you as they can be a magnet for pickpockets. Wear any bags or rucksacks front ways and keep valuables in internal zipped pockets.
