The UK on Sunday (local time) announced May 8 to be a holiday in honour of King Charles III’s coronation.
“The Prime Minister has decided to proclaim an additional bank holiday to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III next year. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May,” read UK Prime Minister’s Office.
“The Coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country. In recognition of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce an additional bank holiday for the whole United Kingdom next year,” said UK PM Rishi Sunak.
In line with the bank holiday to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, this will be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate, added the PMO release.
I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour,” added Sunak.
Following the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth in September, King Charles, 73, ascended to the throne automatically. Charles will take the title of oldest king to rule the United Kingdom.
The next monarch will hold the sceptre, rod, and orb, which represent the Christian world, and sit on the throne known as Edward’s Chair (named after King Charles II in 1661).
In May, he will formally assume the throne. Camilla Parker-Bowles will also be anointed as Queen Consort alongside him.
“The Coronation combines the sacred and the solemn but it is also celebratory. This bank holiday will once again give people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to come together as families and communities to welcome His Majesty to the throne as we mark this important day in our nation’s long history,” said Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden.
Following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, Charles was proclaimed the monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on September 10.
The 96-year-old Queen’s passing brought to an end a seven-decade reign that spanned generations and made her a symbol of stability in a turbulent globe.