King Charles’ coronation schedule: What you can expect to happen today

For the first time in 70 years Britain will host a coronation today for King Charles, and the order of events is truly extraordinary. Here’s what you need to know.

A night time rehearsal in central London for the coronation of King Charles III, which will take place this weekend. Picture date: Wednesday May 3, 2023. (Photo by James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images)

Here ye, here ye … It’s finally coronation day.

For the first time for many, and only the second time for others, we’re about to witness a British royal crowning 70 years in the making.

There’s a frenzied bustle among revellers in the heart of London – some 1.2 million are expected to descend on the procession route today eager to secure their view to history-in-the-making. But behind the scenes for those organising an event of this magnitude, it’s been meticulously and thoroughly planned down to the smallest of details.

‘Operation Golden Orb’ is the reader-friendly title given to the razor-sharp security system in place for an event that holds the glare of the world, with royalty and political dignitaries among the glittering array of guests. On the fanfare side of the coin, procession rehearsals have been taking place overnight all week with some 7000 personnel fine tuning the spectacle.

Here’s an hour-by-hour rundown of what you can expect:

THE KING’S PROCESSION

10.20am London time, 7.20pm AEST

The smallest of two processions today, the King’s procession sets off from Buckingham Palace.

The route is about 2km, starting from the palace through the Centre Gate, down The Mall, through the Admiralty Arch and south of King Charles I Island, down Whitehall and along parliament Street, around parliament Square, to Broad Sanctuary and then arriving at Westminster Abbey at 11am.

Charles and Camilla will ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was commissioned for Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year as monarch in 2012.

CORONATION SERVICE

11am London time, 8pm AEST

Charles becomes the 40th sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey.

The Coronation service falls into six parts: The recognition (where Charles will be presented to everyone), the oath (where Charles will swear to uphold the law and the Church of England), the anointing (a concealed moment where the Archbishop of Canterbury dots the King’s forehead, hands and chest with blessed holy oil), the investiture (which includes the crowning of both Charles and Queen Camilla), the enthronement and finally, the homage.

The ceremony will run for about two hours. During the official crowning, when St Edward’s (very heavy) crown is put on the King’s head, gun salutes with 400 personnel will be fired at 11 locations across the UK, including Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, and on Royal Navy ships at sea.

In London, a 62-round salute will fire at the Tower of London, along with a six-gun salvo on Horse Guards Parade.

CORONATION PROCESSION

1pm London time, 10pm AEST

The much larger-scale return route procession will take the same route back to the palace.

For this leg, Charles and Camilla will ride in the Gold State Coach, which has been used in every coronation since King William IV in 1831.

It weighs 4000kg and is pulled at walking pace by eight horses with riders.

Reports suggest the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will ride in a carriage behind the Gold State Coach.

The Coronation Procession will include Armed Forces from across the Commonwealth and the British Overseas Territories, and all Services of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, alongside The Sovereign’s Bodyguard and Royal Watermen.

Upon returning to the palace, Charles and Camilla will be honoured with a royal salute from the Armed Forces involved in the parade. The salute will be followed by three cheers from personnel.

A night time rehearsal in central London this week shows the Gold State Coach on the return procession. Picture: James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images

2.30pm London time, 11.30pm AEST

The famous Buckingham Palace balcony wave.

King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with several other members of the royal family, will look upon the roaring crowd from the balcony, with a six-minute fly-past to unfold from 2.30pm.

The fly-past will include more than 60 aircraft from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

They will be followed by the Red Arrows display team – the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force.