The Royal Family (Official Facebook Page)
More than 6,000 men and women of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces will participate in the historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla next month.
This will be the largest military ceremonial operation in 70 years involving sailors, soldiers and aviators from across the UK.
The coronation is taking place on the 6th of May and will see military personnel conducting a breath-taking Coronation flypast of more than 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
From military bases in all corners of the country and on His Majesty’s ships at sea, gun salutes will sound out to herald the moment when The King is crowned.
Across the coming weeks, Armed Forces personnel around the country will be busy rehearsing for their role in a display of pageantry, professionalism and pride to honour their new Commander-in-Chief, The King.
Around 5,000 Armed Forces personnel will accompany their Sovereign from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and back in two separate processions.
This major military ceremonial operation will be the largest of its kind for a generation.
Two thousand guests have been invited to attend and each will receive a personalised invitation that has been hand-finished by a small team of calligraphers.
Music
Twelve new compositions have been written for the Coronation.
King Charles has been personally involved in the commissioning process and the detail of the musical programme, which will showcase and celebrate musical talent from across the United Kingdom.
South African opera singer Pretty Yende has been chosen to perform alongside a stellar lineup of artists.
???? It’s hard to put into words how honored and blessed I feel to receive an invitation to perform at The Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6th of May 2023.
— Pretty Yende (@PrettyYende) February 19, 2023
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????: @gregorhohenberg#Coronation2023 pic.twitter.com/wSDoFtSi6U
Meanwhile, small shards of wood from what some believe is the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified have been incorporated into a cross that will lead King Charles' coronation procession.
According to Sky News the two pieces were gifted to the King by the Pope
Fragments from the cross have been shared among mostly Catholic organisations around the world, while protestant churches largely question its authenticity.
Around 2 000 guests have been invited to the coronation in Westminster Abbey, set to take place on the 6th of May.
