What's a coronation?
If you’re wondering, in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, a coronation is a public celebration of the formal investiture of a new monarch. Because Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953 and remained on the throne until 2022, most of us have never seen one live. So if you love everything royal, this is one event that’s well worth the trip to London. You might not have received an invite to the Abbey, but you can guarantee a great atmosphere with streets lined with well-wishers and plenty of pomp and ceremony. Hop on an Avanti West Coast train, and you can get to see where the Coronation of King Charles III took place. As well as seeing history being made, you can also spend the day exploring Central London.
What date was the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III?
The Coronation took place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. It was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Charles was crowned alongside The Queen Consort (better known as Camilla).
Events around the Coronation
On the day of the Coronation, London will be incredibly busy. The streets will be full of royal fans, plus there’ll be TV crews from around the world and lots of police as many world leaders will be at the event. The Abbey won’t be open to the public, so it’s probably best to give it a miss as you won’t be able to see much. You’re more likely to catch a glimpse of the new King and give him a hearty cheer if you pitch up on the route of the procession. Details of the route will be released closer to the date, so keep your eyes peeled.
Getting to London
Avanti West Coast trains can whoosh you to the centre of London, so it’s easy to get to the Coronation of King Charles III. Our trains can take you from anywhere on the West Coast of the UK to London Euston, then it’s just a few stops on the London Underground.
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About the Coronation
Westminster Abbey has been the location for coronations for 900 years. The Coronation of 1953 was the first to be televised, and the Coronation of 2023 will follow in its footsteps. While the Coronation is an event that highlights pageantry, it is also a religious ceremony that has upheld its tradition and values for almost 1000 years.
However, times have changed and there will be many differences to this coronation from the last one. We’ve heard that it’ll be a celebration of the British culture and a great way to learn more about communities from all over the UK who will be taking part. Whatever happens, it’s going to be a unique event, with a blend of ancient and modern that reflects the views of Charles himself and the wider Commonwealth. And of course, it’s your chance to see history being made.
Download the Avanti West Coast app today
On our handy app you can find the best value tickets for the time you want to travel – saving you money and hassle. If your plans change, it’s not a problem. You can change your date, time, or seat in the app. Better still, you can stay in the know when you go with Track My Train. Book your ticket direct with Avanti West Coast and you can also wave goodbye to booking fees. Pay your way with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal Credit, or another debit card. Whatever’s best for you.
Ways to save on your train ticket to the Coronation
Before buying your train tickets to the Coronation, visit Avanti West Coast and take advantage of these ways to save. For starters, purchase your train tickets directly with Avanti to save on booking fees. You can also buy tickets for off-peak times, when trains are less busy and you'll secure cheaper fares. Railcards are another way to save by giving you a discount on all your train tickets. You can even purchase a family railcard to use if you're travelling with your loved ones.
If you’re taking the family to see the Coronation, you can save with a family and friends Railcard. This Railcard helps you save 60% on tickets for kids and a third of the cost of adult tickets. Up to four adults and four children are allowed to use the family and friends card.
