King Charles III will be crowned King in 2023.

In front of a congregation of thousands and a global audience of millions, the Queen's oldest son will officially accept the role he's spent a lifetime preparing for and here's everything we know about arrangements so far.

What is a Coronation?

Charles automatically became King when his mother died - so it is not necessary to hold a coronation ceremony in order to appoint a new monarch for the UK and the Commonwealth.

However the coronation is both a religious ceremony and an act of tradition that cements the new monarch's role as head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of titles and powers to them.

When is the King's Coronation?

Buckingham Palace confirmed back in October 2022 that the Coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

The ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside his wife Camilla, The Queen Consort.

Where is it taking place?

The Coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London - the same location chosen for the Queen's State Funeral in September - and it will be conducted in part by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

What will happen on the day?

Coronation ceremonies have changed little in hundreds of years but it has been suggested that King Charles would prefer a shorter ceremony on a much smaller scale compared to those events arranged for previous monarchs.

Buckingham Palace has already hinted that there may be some changes to the running of the event with the Coronation, says the Palace, set to reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while still 'being rooted in long standing traditions and pageantry'.

Speaking in October constitutional expert and University College London Professor Bob Morris said it was unlikely King Charles' coronation would be like that of the Queen's.

He wrote: "The UK no longer has the capacity to mount anything like this spectacle (of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation), nor should it do so in straitened times. The next coronation will inevitably be smaller."

Among the expected changes to the ceremony, and to reflect Britain's increasingly diverse and multi cultural society, will be an acknowledgement of other faiths alongside the Church of England's. While the monarch will remain 'Defender of the Faith' King Charles is also expected to pledge to help and support multiple religions.

Who will be there?

The Coronation, regardless of its ultimate size, is a state occasion, which means that the government will be involved in the formation of the guest list.

Alongside the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, other members of the government and representatives of the Houses of Parliament will be heads of state and other Royals from around the world.

More than 8,200 guests went into Westminster Abbey for the Queen's coronation because extra seating was built in the months before the event. But the Abbey's natural capacity is closer to 2,200 and so it is expected a number similar to this will attend the Coronation of King Charles.

Alongside the service what else will happen?

Thousands of people are also expected to line the streets of London to see the new monarch and other members of the Royal Family arrive and leave the Abbey on May 6.

While official routes and timings have yet to be released, it is expected that King Charles will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach, which is reserved for events and celebrations such as coronations and jubilees.

Where can I watch it?

More than 37 million people in the UK alone tuned in to watch the tradition and pageantry that accompanied Her Majesty The Queen's funeral and interest in the King's Coronation is also expected to be very high.

The day's events will be broadcast live on television to viewers across the globe where an audience could number hundreds of millions.

Will there be a bank holiday?
Yes, an additional bank holiday across the UK has been agreed for Monday, May 8.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it would allow people to "come together and celebrate" just as communities did more recently for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

May's extra bank holiday is in addition to the May Day bank holiday on May 1 and the Spring Bank Holiday Monday on May 29.

Ministers are also considering proposals to allow pubs, clubs and bars in England and Wales to open longer to celebrate over the weekend.

The government is to consult the public on extending licensing hours from 11pm until 1am on May 5, 6 and 7.

The Home Secretary, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, and the Coronation is an occasion, says the government, which will see the country 'united in celebration across the Bank Holiday weekend'.

Suella Braverman added: "Our country, and in particular our hospitality industry, has faced many challenges in recent years and the King’s Coronation is an opportunity to give a boost to our local businesses, and celebrate with our local communities.

"Over the Bank Holiday weekend we can raise a glass to our new monarch, and with our friends and families wish him a long and successful reign."