King Charles III will make his title official this week, when the entire world tunes in to watch the new ruler's coronation on May 6. Those of us in the States will be sipping coffee and watching the 2,000-person event unfold live from London's Westminster Abbey tucked in bed as it's going to be very early.
King Charles's coronation is a big deal: the last time a ceremony of this magnitude took place was on June 2, 1953, when Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne. Accordingly, May 6 will be a day that's expected to be filled with lots of tradition and symbolism, with (most of) the Royal Family front and center.
For those new to the British monarchy, there's still time to catch up before Saturday's event. Our colleagues in London have done a fantastic job putting together a coronation explainer that answers frequently asked questions (like whether Camilla will be queen) and details the events of the weekend—yes, weekend. There’s a coronation concert, the Big Help Out (a call for volunteerism) and other happenings to be aware of. If you're crossing the Atlantic for the first time to see the king's coronation IRL, we have some essential tips that any American visiting England needs to know.
How to watch King Charles III’s coronation in the U.S.?
Cable viewers can watch King Charles III's coronation on ABC, CNN, Fox News and NBC. Non-cable subscribers can livestream the event on DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and Sling TV. CNN will provide special live coverage of the festivities, with anchor Anderson Cooper leading the morning coverage outside of Buckingham Palace.
What time is the coronation in the U.S.?
The coronation ceremony is set to begin at 6am EST on May 6, 2023 (11am local time in London), and is expected to last about one hour. Television coverage begins at 5am EST and will likely include live footage of the carriage ride procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
What are the key parts of the coronation to look out for?
According to reports, Charles’ ceremony will be shorter and smaller than his mother’s, but it’s the Royal Family so anything goes. What’s expected is that the King will walk into Westminster Abbey where he’ll take an oath and be anointed, blessed and consecrated, and receive his new royal garb complete with gilded accessories.
How can I watch the coronation concert?
The concert will be available on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2, BBC Sounds and BritBox.