AAs darkness fell in the early hours of Tuesday, hundreds of British military personnel gathered on horseback outside Buckingham Palace to rehearse the parade they will take for the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
The practice run – which included a 1.3-mile route between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace that Charles and Camilla will complete – saw uniformed officers and horse-drawn carriages pass through central London by street lamp,
It appears that Buckingham Palace is leaving no stone unturned in planning for the historic event; The last time Britain hosted a coronation was 70 years ago, when the late Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in front of more than 8,000 guests. To mark the occasion, London is receiving a royal makeover before tourists from around the world flock to the capital to join in the festivities.
A life-size cardboard cut-out of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, is displayed among 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia by ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson at her Weardale Farm near Bishop Auckland, northern England, on March 31 Is.
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bleachers have already been installed on Horse Guards Parade where the public would observe a 62-round salute and a six-gun salute massive military demonstration Same day Carnaby Street and Regent Street, popular shopping areas in central London, will be decorated with large Union Jack flags and extravagant window displays on the city’s iconic stores. Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade will also display the national flowers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
These scenes can be expected in homes and venues across the country, especially in the seven pubs located along the Processional Route. Airports are also starting to sell coronation-themed memorabilia to collect tourists and British heritage brands will introduce limited edition products.
During this, Westminster Abbey, Where Charles and Camilla will be crowned in a symbolic ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury will be closed for preparations from April 25. The Royal Albert Hall, a world-renowned concert hall, will host a sold-out coronation theme promwhile the Ritz Hotel will hold ball where tickets will set each attendee back £1,250 ($1,553).
As London comes alive with novelty decorations and parties, TIME has selected the best images of the city’s transformation ever captured.
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write to Armani Syed at [email protected].
