On 6 May, King Charles III will become the first British monarch to be crowned in seven decades. He will take centre stage at a Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla. Amid all the pomp and religious symbolism, there will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate the crowning of the new king. Not least because the country has been granted an extra Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May in honour of the occasion.
It has been seventy years since the last Coronation celebrations took place, so we believe it is high time to get into the patriotic spirit and plan some parties and events to remember. Here are some ideas to help your care home welcome in the reign of King Charles III in style.
Break out the bunting
Red, white and blue bunting, garlands and flags have become a staple of royal celebrations in recent years, with the brightly coloured decorations accompanying parties and events to mark royal weddings, births of royal babies and, only last year, Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. You can make your care home look very festive and regal by hanging lots of bunting for the Coronation weekend. Create floral displays using red, white and blue flowers and add little crowns for some elegant sparkle. Hand out flags to the residents and lay the table with royal blue tablecloths and the best cutlery and china.
Coronation clothing
Encourage everyone to dress in their finest outfits for the Coronation day – Saturday 6 May. Even if you are only planning to watch the ceremony on TV and then serve afternoon tea, dressing up for the occasion adds a sense of excitement and glamour. Don’t forget posh hats for the ladies! You could produce golden crowns for everyone to wear too – make these out of gold card or look for inexpensive party props online. You could even hold a fancy-dress competition to see who can look the most royal – or who can find the fanciest red, white or blue items of clothing to wear.
Street party
The Queen’s Coronation back in 1953 prompted a slew of street parties to pop up across Britain – and probably further afield as well. People shared food, chatted to their neighbours, played games and drank toasts to wish the new monarch well. This is something that can easily be replicated inside your care home – or in the grounds if the weather is warm enough. Set out tables and chairs and share plates of sandwiches, snacks and desserts. You could ask staff to each bring a dish that they would like to share – and invite friends and family to join you too to enjoy some right royal fun together.
Televised service
The 1953 Coronation service was broadcast from Westminster Abbey on television. It was the first large-scale ceremony of its kind to be made available to the wider population for their viewing pleasure. So, don’t forget to turn on the television during the day to watch the coverage of the big event live. Or wait until after you have finished your street party and enjoy the highlights in the evening with one final cup of tea and slice of Coronation quiche. This is a great way to involve anyone who doesn’t wish to join in a street party, but who is still interested in following the events of the day.
Make memories for future generations
The Coronation is set to be one of those historic moments that lives on indelibly in the minds of those who celebrated the crowning of a new king and queen. There are plenty of ways to mark such a significant moment and preserve memories for future generations. You could help residents gather up items that represent the Coronation and life in 2023 and put together a time capsule. Choose somewhere in the home’s grounds to bury it and leave instructions or it to be opened in 70 years’ time – or on the next monarch’s Coronation day. Other ideas include writing diary entries about the day, or recording memories of previous royal celebrations, such as Silver, Gold or Platinum Jubilee events, garden parties – or even recollections from the 1953 Coronation for anyone who would like to share what they did and felt during that time.
