The government has announced an additional bank holiday to mark the coronation of King Charles III next year.
Downing Street said the UK-wide holiday will fall on Monday 8 May after the coronation at Westminster Abbey two days earlier.
Rishi Sunak said the day would be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate.
Charles, 73, automatically became monarch in September on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Days later, he was formally confirmed as the new King of the United Kingdom in a ceremony at St. James’ Palace.
The British government said in a statement that the move was in line with the bank holiday that accompanied the late Queen’s coronation in 1953. The day off would be an opportunity for families and communities across the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate, it added.
Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said: “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.
“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.”
The chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said the coronation, on Saturday 6 May, would combine “the sacred and the solemn, but it is also celebratory”.
Charles will be anointed with holy oil, receive the orb, coronation ring and sceptre, then be crowned with the St Edward’s crown and blessed during the ceremony, which will be conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury.
The Queen Consort will also be anointed with holy oil and crowned, as was the Queen Mother when she was crowned Queen in 1937.
There have been reports that Charles wants a pared-back ceremony of just one hour. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation service in 1953 lasted more than three hours.
Dowden added: “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.”
