London
CNN
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Sunday that there will be a public holiday to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III next year.
Sunak said the bank holiday will fall on Monday, May 8, after Crowned two days ago.
Charles, 73, automatically became monarch in September following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. In the days that followed, he officially confirmed as the new King of Great Britain during a ceremony at St. James.
The UK government said in a statement that the move was in line with the bank holiday that accompanied the Queen’s coronation in 1953. The holiday will be an opportunity for families and communities across the UK. Great Britain celebrate together, it added.
Sunak said: “The coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country. “In recognition of this historic event, I am pleased to announce an additional UK-wide bank holiday next year.
“I look forward to seeing everyone come together to celebrate and pay their respects to King Charles III by participating in local and national events around the country in his honor.”
Buckingham Palace announced last month that the coronation of the king will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London, the site of every coronation since 1066. Since William the Conqueror, all but two monarchs have been crowned there. Edward V died before he could ascend to the throne and Edward VIII abdicated.
The service will be a more modern service than previous royal coronations and will be “forward-looking,” the palace said in a statement. It added that the event will still be “rooted in long tradition and competition.”
The event will also see Queen Consort being crowned in a similar but smaller ceremony.
Experts say Charles’ coronation will be a significantly milder events than his mother, whose arrangement is affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis in the UK.
It is quite common for the government to declare bank holidays around royal occasions. This year, Britons have two extra days – one for the late monarch’s funeral on September 19 and the previous one in June to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.
