King Charles will be following in the footsteps of his late mother when he is crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6th May.
Queen Elizabeth walked down the famous aisle after the death of her father, King George VI, less than a decade after World War II ended. Her husband, Prince Philip, knelt before the Queen during the ceremony, her hands wrapped around his, while he pledged his loyalty by swearing to be her "liege man".
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Changing times
Things have changed a lot in the 70 years: back in 1953, the BBC's coverage of the Queen’s coronation made broadcasting history.
Less than two million UK homes owned a television set at the beginning of the year. They were mainly concentrated in cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow. However, as the coronation approached, more than half a million new sets were sold across the country.
People who didn't have a TV set arranged to watch with family, friends or neighbours. It was the first coronation in history that had ever been televised. For most, it was the first time they had seen any event on TV.
When King Charles is crowned, an estimated 300 million people will tune in all over the world.
What is a coronation?
A coronation has two meanings: it is the name for the symbolic religious ceremony when a new sovereign is crowned. It is also the physical act of putting a crown on the monarch's head to formally mark their role as head of the Church of England.
King Charles' coronation is codenamed "Operation Golden Orb". The celebration had been planned for years under this name, in readiness for when he became sovereign. The king will be anointed by the archbishop with holy oil and will be given the coronation ring, orb and sceptre.
Coronation traditions have hardly changed in more than 1,000 years. However, today, the ceremony in Britain is the only remaining event of its kind in Europe.
Buckingham Palace has said King Charles' coronation will be "rooted in long-standing traditions", while also reflecting the "monarch's role today" and looking "towards the future". It is expected to be smaller in scale compared with Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, with a more modest procession: while the 1953 procession had 16,000 participants travelling along a 4.3-mile route, the parade for Charles and Camilla is expected to be shorter.
Although it's not necessary by law for the monarch to be officially crowned, the tradition continues. However, Charles became king automatically the moment Queen Elizabeth II died on 8th September 2022.
Invitations from Buckingham Palace have confirmed that after the ceremony, the Queen Consort's title will officially become Queen Camilla.
Will there be a Bank Holiday for King Charles' coronation?
People across the UK can enjoy an extra Bank Holiday on Monday 8th May. Buckingham Palace has revealed various events will be taking place over the coronation weekend, including a live concert and laser lights show at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th May.
Clubs and pubs in England and Wales are being permitted to remain open for an extra two hours on 5th and 6th May. Everyone is being urged to hold street parties, echoing Queen Elizabeth's coronation 70 years ago.
People are also invited to support various volunteering projects in their local communities as part of a special initiative called the Big Help Out.
If you're having a street party, or a garden party at your own home, try preparing some iconic British dishes. Culinary experts suggest preparing a good mix of food to suit all tastes. For example, afternoon tea-style sandwiches on raised platters look very regal.
Remember to keep fresh food refrigerated until you're ready to start dining. It must be kept at the correct temperature for as long as possible, especially if it's a hot, sunny day. This ensures it not only tastes fresh, but also prevents any bacteria from forming.
When you're looking for the perfect drink, jugs of Pimm’s or bowls of punch are great options, but also have non-alcoholic option for people who don't drink and the under-18s.
What other fun things can people do?
Decorate your street ready for the party in the red, white and blue of the Union Jack flag. As well as flags and bunting hanging high across the street, try having a mixture of red, white and blue napkins and table covers.
Tying helium balloons to the back of each chair can look effective – maybe you could tie larger balloons in bunches on gateposts or lampposts. Everyone will want to take photos, so it's worth creating a patriotic backdrop so people can capture the moment.
You could prepare individual party food boxes in advance to hand out on the day. This also keeps a check on any special dietary requirements, as you can put people's names on them using stickers.
Entertainment can include live music and traditional party games, such as pass the parcel, statues and musical chairs for the kids. If you're feeling more ambitious, set up some simple fairground stalls, with a broad range of fun activities to suit people of all ages.
Older people might enjoy an opportunity to chat about what the royal family means to them. Some may remember Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Organising a special get-together, indoors or out, for seniors to reminisce is an ideal way of keeping them involved.
Considering King Charles' commitment to living a green lifestyle and sustainability, make sure you consider the environment. No matter what kind of event you hold, have an action plan in place to clean up properly afterwards and recycle everything you can.
How can you watch the coronation?
In these times of post-pandemic austerity, it makes a great change to have something to celebrate. Every coronation event is a chance to bring people together, involving everyone in your local community, renewing old friendships and making new ones. Above all, enjoy yourself!
Television coverage of the three-day extravaganza, from 6th to 8th May, will be broadcast on multiple channels including the BBC, ITV, Freeview, Sky and more. The ceremony at Westminster Abbey begins at 11am and will continue until approximately 2pm.
The procession to Buckingham Palace winds around a route of 1.3 miles before the royal family gathers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
God save the King!