The biggest event for this year's royal calendar is almost upon us - King Charles' Coronation.
The May 6th ceremony is expected to be part of a day filled with tradition, pageantry and a historic day for the Commonwealth.
The Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, who has been responsible for organising the ceremony, has reportedly been tasked with making the coronation simpler, shorter and more diverse to ''better reflect modern Britain,'' according to the Mail on Sunday.
''The King has stripped back a lot of the coronation in recognition that the world has changed in the past 70 years,'' a source said.
Key Dates & Times to remember (NZ Time):
- Saturday 7pm till 1.30am - Coverage of King Charles' coronation starts (TVNZ1 and Three)
- Saturday 10pm - King Charles' coronation service starts
- Monday 8pm - The Coronation Concert (TVNZ1)
When is King Charles' Coronation?
The coronation service begins 10pm NZT at Westminster Abbey (with both TVNZ1 and Three broadcasting that night). The events start with Charles and Camilla travelling from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach (previously used in 2014 for Queen Elizabeth's 60th year on the throne).
The pair will then be crowned in the Abbey in a ceremony led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
The King will be anointed with oil, given his orb and enthroned.
There are 12 new musical items that have been chosen by the King to be included in the ceremony, including the King’s Coronation Anthem, composed by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber.
Prince George will have his own special role at his grandfather's coronation, as one of Charles' four Pages of Honour.
What happens after King Charles' Coronation?
Once the ceremony has concluded, Charles and Camilla will then travel back to Buckingham Palace in the 260-year-old historic Gold State Coach, taking the same roads back as they took to get to the Abbey. They will then make their appearance on the infamous balcony, waving with the rest of the family.
What happens after Coronation Day?
The following day, people will be encouraged to have a Coronation Big Lunch in their communities - with Charles recommending their Coronation Quiche.
This will then be followed up with the Coronation Concert at night - which will air delayed Monday 8pm NZT. Guests confirmed to be taking part include Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Take That, Tom Jones, Paloma Faith, Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings, and Alexis Ffrench. The concert will also include choir performances, a virtual choir featuring other singers across the Commonwealth, and appearances from Tom Cruise, Ncuti Gatwa, Dame Joan Collins, and Bear Grylls.
What's happening in New Zealand?
For those wishing to celebrate the Coronation around the country, there will be a number of native trees planted in his honour, many of the country's landmarks will be lit royal purple, and a national event will be held at the Auckland Domain, on the lawn beneath Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, at 1pm on Sunday 7 May. The public is invited to the family-friendly celebration with performances, free ice cream and sapling giveaways. In the capital, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul Coronation Festival will be holding numerous events. as well as screening the Coronation on Sunday.
So, make sure you mark your calendar, set your reminders, and get ready to witness history in the making!
