This May will see the much anticipated coronation of King Charles. Despite Charles being proclaimed King three days after the passing of Queen Elizabeth last September, he will be officially crowned at Westminster Abbey on the 6th of May 2023.
The Commonwealth has not seen a coronation since that of Queen Elizabeth in 1653, so this will understandably be a massive event all around the world. Whilst the coronation is set to be rooted in tradition, it is also expected to celebrate the future of the country with modern touches such as a concert at Windsor Castle and a laser show.
At Balloonista, we are a big fan of combining tradition with modern elements, and the Queen’s Jubilee last year was one of our busiest and most fun times of the year. This was the perfect opportunity for our team to get creative, and we created several Union Jack balloon walls and even created scented balloons.
Whilst you might typically think of red white and blue flags for your coronation decor, we found creating Union Jack balloon walls using brand colours to be a great way to make a statement and bring a personal touch to the decor whilst still honouring tradition.
We have limited availability over the Coronation weekend, so get in touch now to book in your installation. Here are some of our favourite jubilee designs to inspire your decor for your street parties and corporate celebrations;
If you are something a little smaller to mark the event, we have a selection of balloons and garlands which will arrive at your door, ready inflated and ready to display;
Not only will the Coronation of King Charles mark a key moment in history, but it also means that we will have a lovely 3 day weekend, with Monday the 8th of May being a bank holiday. Whether you fancy spending your weekend in a patriotic way or if that is not your thing, we have some ideas below on ways that you can spend your weekend;
Watch the Royal Procession
Whilst details of the procession are yet to be confirmed, Charles and Camilla will be traveling through Central London from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation ceremony. Typical royal procession routes pass through The Mall, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and Constitution Hill and people are expected to be lining the streets ready to catch a glimpse of the King. If you prefer to avoid the crowds but don’t want to miss the action, tune in from home where the best views will be shown live on television.
Check out London Illuminated
During the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th, landmarks all around the country will be illuminated with projectors, lasers and drones. Whilst the particular landmarks that will be illuminated are set to be a surprise, contenders include Battersea Power Station, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Westminster Cathedral.
Visit the Coronation Exhibition at Westminster Abbey
Whilst Westminster Abbey will be closed over the coronation weekend for obvious reasons, the exhibition is a great way to learn some more about the coronation traditions. Westminster Abbey will be closed from April 25th to May 8th in preparation for the coronation and the exhibition will be open to the public until the end of September. The exhibition can be found in Chapter House and entry is included in the entry price to Westminster Abbey.
Treat yourself to an afternoon tea
Possibly the most quintessentially British way to spend an afternoon, particularly if you fancy honoring the coronation a more subtle way and avoiding the crowds. Treat yourself to an afternoon tea at one of London’s top hotels. Our favourite spots for afternoon tea include The Goring, The Landmark, The Ritz and The Savoy. We recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
Escape the madness of London
If you don’t fancy immersing yourself in the coronation celebrations in London and would prefer to use the opportunity to relax, the long weekend is the perfect opportunity to get out of London. If you fancy relaxing by the seaside, Whitstable is only an hour and a half on the train and it is the epitome of a quaint british seaside town. If you would prefer more of a city break, Bath is also within an hour and a half of London via train and spending a leisurely weekend taking in the gorgeous countryside and the neoclassical architecture makes a refreshing change to life in the big smoke.
What have you got planned for the Coronation weekend? Let us know your decor plans as well and what you are planning on getting up to in the comments below or connect with us on instagram www.instagram.com/balloonistaco
