How London Is Preparing for the Coronation
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As I got into London last week, less than a month before the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, my taxi driver told me he was planning on leaving town the weekend of May 6 to avoid the crowds. "Charlie's getting a new hat," he said, which is perhaps the biggest understatement of the year.
Locals wanting to avoid the crowds are right to head out of the city; London is expecting an influx of tourists to witness history. "As the first royal coronation in 70 years, it’s a momentous occasion for London, and it’s really exciting to see the city coming together to celebrate," Laura Citron, CEO of Visit London, told Town & Country. "Since it’s such a one-of-its-kind event, we’re expecting lots of visitors to travel into London to be a part of the moment and experience the city's extensive royal history and attractions."
Traversing the coronation procession route—which runs from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey down the Mall then following Parliament Street, and back again after the ceremony—it's clear that preparations are well-underway to ensure the city is coronation-ready. There are construction workers everywhere, repaving streets, building bleachers for viewers, and power-washing statues.
"London is set to spring to life in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III," Citron says. "We'll start to see the Union Jack flags take over London’s West End and across the city as we begin to prepare for the big weekend. We expect the atmosphere and buzz to continue with plenty of street parties, community lunches, and celebrations set to take place."
Carnaby Street, in one of the city's most popular shopping districts, has already debuted its decorations, displaying a large Union Jack flag and crown suspended above the street:
The decorations are not just on the streets, but inside stores, too. Mayfair's Burlington Arcade is decorating with the national flowers of Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland, and British brands, like Emma Bridgewater, Fortnum & Mason, and many, many, more are rolling out their special coronation-themed commemorative items right now. London's Heathrow Airport is ready to welcome travelers the minute they arrive; the Harrods store in Terminal 2 features a display of their King Charles coronation commemorative items front and center.
"We must never underestimate the soft power influence of the royals and their role as ambassadors for this country," Helen Brocklebank, the CEO of Walpole, an umbrella organization for more than 250 British brands, tells T&C. "It’s a crucial part of what has made the UK the world’s number one luxury destination, and Britain’s finest brands are ready to make the flurry of domestic and international tourists expected in London for this uniquely British but globally important event a truly unforgettable moment they’ll treasure their whole lives."
Designers are getting ready to style the coronation's attendees, too. Only around 2,000 people will be lucky enough to attend the service—and with peers being advised to dress down, the institutions on Savile Row are all rushing to finish ensembles for the historic event. "The Savile Row tailors are all very busy finishing off tail coats, etc., for the customers from around the globe who will be attending," Geoff Wheeler, also known as "Mayor of Savile Row," tells T&C. (He oversees the London Office at Huddersfield Fine Worsteds, which holds a royal warrant.) "Those tailors with military departments, like Henry Poole, are also working on many uniforms to be used on the day. All the shops will be dressing their windows and have made bunting using British wool."
On coronation day, all eyes will be on the British royal family—but the procession of King Charles and Queen Camilla will be much shorter than the journey Queen Elizabeth II took 70 years ago, which means there are just a few public businesses that sit on the route. The Red Lion (on the corner of Parliament Street and Derby Gate), is already advertising to patrons to join them for the coronation. As one of just seven pubs on the route, the small seating area outside will be hotly coveted viewing area for those hoping to watch the royals ride past.
And for the site of the coronation itself? Westminster Abbey is still open to the public. One Abbey volunteer told T&C that she's seen a surge in visitors in recent weeks, similar to the increases around the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton over a decade ago. And the church, too, got in on the merch craze; its store features a whole display of Charles III totes, keychains, mugs, and commemorative coins, among other items.
The Abbey is set to close on April 25 to undergo final preparations for the event. Thirty-nine reigning monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey since 1066—and Charles is preparing to become the 40th. On coronation day, one thing's for sure: London will be ready to celebrate him.
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