To commemorate King Charles III’s coronation. The United Kingdom declared a bank holiday on May 8 (local time).
According to a statement issued by the UK Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), “the Prime Minister has decided to proclaim an additional bank holiday to commemorate His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation next year.” The bank holiday will be observed on Monday, May 8, following the Coronation on Saturday, May 6.”
“The Coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country,” said newly formed UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In honor of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce that the United Kingdom will have an additional bank holiday next year.”
Charles will be crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London. His ceremony will be designed to preserve the historical traditions of the monarchy while looking to the future following the late queen’s 70-year reign. The coronation is expected to be shorter and less extravagant than the three-hour ceremony that installed Elizabeth in 1953, in keeping with Charles’ plans for a slimmed-down monarchy.
The bank holiday will be observed throughout the United Kingdom.
King Charles, 73, ascended to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in September. Charles will be the oldest monarch to sit on the throne in British history.
The incoming king will sit on the throne known as Edward’s Chair (named after King Charles II in 1661) while wielding the sovereign’s scepter, rod, and orb, which represent the Christian world, according to tradition.
“The Coronation combines the sacred and the solemn but it is also celebratory. This bank holiday will once again give people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to come together as families and communities to welcome His Majesty to the throne as we mark this important day in our nation’s long history,” said Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden.
After his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on September 8, Charles was declared the UK and Commonwealth monarch on September 10.
The death of the 96-year-old Queen brought to an end a seven-decade reign that saw her as a beacon of stability in a turbulent World.
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