What happens in the coronation ceremony? Full timetable for the service and what time it starts

King Charles III’s coronation takes place on Saturday, with thousands of people flocking to London to watch the procession, while millions more will tune in to watch at home on television.

The official coronation ceremony will see the King and Queen Camilla parade through central London, before the official crowning at Westminster Abbey.

The final guest list – expected to be around 2,000 – is yet to be confirmed, but family and friends of the King and Queen, foreign monarchs, politicians, world leaders, celebrities and everyday heroes will attend the service after the royals have arrived in procession from Buckingham Palace.

Here’s a full schedule of what they will see during the ceremony, and the long-standing traditions explained.

What is the timetable for the coronation?

The King and Queen will be crowned in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May.

Here is the full timetable of events:

• 6am – viewing areas open along the procession route
• 7.15-8.30am – guests to Westminster Abbey begin to arrive at security checkpoints in Victoria Tower Gardens
• 9am – congregation to be seated inside the Abbey
• 9.30-10.45am – heads of state, overseas government representatives, Government ministers, First Ministers, former PMs, foreign royals and members of the Royal Family arrive
• 9.45am – the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry begin to gather ready for the procession from Buckingham Palace
• 10.20am – the King and Queen’s procession sets off from the Palace
• 10.53am – the King and Queen arrive at Westminster Abbey
• 11am – Charles and Camilla enter the Abbey through the Great West Door and the service begins
• 12pm – the King is crowned. The Archbishop of Canterbury places the St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head. Trumpets will sound and gun salutes will be fired across the UK
• 1pm – the service ends and the newly crowned King and Queen begin their coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach
• 1.33pm – Charles and Camilla are expected to enter Buckingham Palace through the Centre Arch
• 1.45pm – the King and Queen receive a royal salute from the military in the Palace gardens
• Around 2.15pm – the King, Queen and members of the Royal Family appear on the Palace balcony to watch the flypast

According to Buckingham Palace, the coronation itself – which is expected to be scaled back from previous versions – will be “a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry”.

The service will “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry”.

What happens during the ceremony?

There are five main elements: the recognition; the oath; the anointing; the investiture and the crowning; and the enthronement and homage – as well as the Queen Consort’s coronation.

Here’s exactly what will happen during the service.

Entering Westminster Abbey

The service begins with the procession of faith leaders and representatives of faith communities, ecumenical leaders, realms and the choir, and then the procession of the King and the Queen Consort.

Charles wears George VI’s crimson Robe of State and Camilla wears Elizabeth II’s crimson Robe of State.

Fourteen-year-old Chapel Royal chorister Samuel Strachan, one of the youngest members of the congregation, welcomes the King to symbolise the importance of youth in the nation’s society.

The King responds: “In His name and after His example, I come not to be served but to serve.”

The King then stands at his Chair of Estate, head bowed, in a moment of silent prayer.

The Archbishop says we gather to give thanks for the King’s “life of service to this nation” and “to witness with joy his crowning and anointing”.

Paul Mealor’s composition – “Coronation Kyrie” – is sung, becoming the first Welsh language performance at a coronation.

The recognition

The recognition rite dates back to the ancient procedures of the Witan – the supreme council of England in Anglo-Saxon times.

The King stands in the theatre – the central space in Westminster Abbey – and turns to show himself to the people to the east, south, west and north.

The Archbishop makes the first declaration towards the High Altar. In a change, the declaration at the other three directions is carried out by others – Lady Angiolini, representing Scotland’s oldest Order of Chivalry the Order of the Thistle; Baroness Amos – of England’s oldest Order of Chivalry in England the Order of the Garter; and George Cross Holder Christopher Finney – chair of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and representing recipients of the bravery medals.

They say in turn: “I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King. Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service: are you willing to do the same?”

The congregation and choir replies: “God save King Charles.”

The specially-commissioned red leather-bound Bible is presented to the King by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The formal presentation of the Bible to the sovereign dates back to the joint Coronation of William III and Mary II in 1689.

The oath

For the first time, there is a preface to the coronation oath in which the Archbishop says the Church of England “will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely”.

The Coronation Oath Act of 1688 requires the King to declare during his crowning ceremony that he will maintain the established Anglican Protestant Church, rule according to laws agreed in Parliament, and cause law, justice and mercy to be executed in his judgment.

Each part of the oath is framed as a question to the monarch, as the King replies he places his hand on the Bible.

“Prevent Us, O Lord” by William Byrd is sung.

Charles III will then become the first monarch to pray aloud in front of a coronation congregation.

A special personal prayer has been written for the King to reflect the “loving service” theme of the service, and the words are inspired in part by the popular hymn “I Vow to Thee My Country”.

This will be succeeded by the following song and readings:

• “Mass for Four Voices” by William Byrd is sung
• “The Collect” – a summary and thematic type of prayer used at most Church of England services – is read by the Archbishop
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reads “The Epistle – Colossians 1: 9-17”
• The first of a two-part composition, “Alleluia”, from award-winning TV and film composer Debbie Wiseman, is sung.
• The Dean of HM Chapels Royal, Dame Sarah Mullally, reads “Luke 4:16-21”
• The second part of “Alleluia” is sung

The Archbishop then delivers a sermon. There was no sermon in the late Queen’s service in 1953, but a sermon is usually part of the coronation service.

The ancient hymn, “Veni Creator” is then sung in English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic.

Following this the Archbishop is presented with and formally receives the Coronation Oil, praying and giving thanks for it.

Charles III’s holy oil was made sacred in Jerusalem, and consecrated by the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem.

It was created using olives harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives and pressed just outside Bethlehem, and perfumed with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom.

The oil will be presented by Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Reverend Dr Hosam Naoum, to reflect the global Anglican Communion and the completion of its journey from Jerusalem.

The anointing

The anointing with holy oil is the central act of the religious ceremony and takes place in private.

The King will remove his crimson Robe of State and sit in the Coronation Chair – made for King Edward I in around 1300 – and wear a simple white shirt, representing that he comes before God as a servant.

Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” is sung by the choir.

The Dean of Westminster pours oil from the ampulla, an eagle-shaped vessel, into the Coronation Spoon – the oldest object in the coronation regalia. Using his fingers, the Archbishop anoints the King on his hands, breast, and head.

The King kneels on a faldstool in front of the High Altar and the Archbishop continues with the “Oil of Gladness” prayer of blessing.

The investiture and crowning

The King puts on a white linen garment called Colobium Sindonis, a golden coat called the Supertunica and the coronation girdle around his waist. He is then presented with the coronation regalia.

In recognition of multi-faith Britain, peers from from non-Christian faith traditions have been chosen to take part for the first time – but will only hold regalia that does not have explicit Christian motifs.

Here’s who will present the King with each piece of regalia:

• Golden Spurs – Lord Great Chamberlain
• Jewelled Sword of Offering – Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt
• Armills – Lord Kamall
• Stole Royal – Bishop of Durham
• Robe Royal – Prince of Wales, Baroness Merron and assisting bishops
• Sovereign’s Orb – Dean of Westminster, Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Archbishop of Canterbury
• Coronation Ring – Lord Patel
• Coronation Glove – Lord Singh of Wimbledon
• Sceptre with Cross and Rod with Dove – Archbishop of Wales and the Primus of Scotland

The Archbishop of Canterbury will make proclamations as each of these precious items is presented to the King.

The Dean will then bring the Crown of St Edward to the Archbishop, who says the prayer of blessing.

He will say: “King of kings and lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be crowned with thy gracious favour and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, supreme over all things, one God, world without end. Amen.”

The Archbishop brings the crown down onto the King’s head and proclaims: “God save the King!” The congregation responds by repeating it, and the Abbey bells the ring for two minutes.

A fanfare is sounded followed by a gun salute fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, stationed at Horse Guards Parade. Gun salutes will also be fired at the Tower of London, fired by the Honourable Artillery Company, and at all saluting stations across the UK, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and ships at sea.

Next comes the blessing, which is being is shared by Christian leaders from across the country for the first time. Then an anthem,written by 17th century English composer Thomas Weelkes is sung.

Enthronement and homage

The enthroning is the setting of the King in his crown on the throne. This traditionally represents the monarch taking possession of their kingdom. The ancient ritual descends from coronations of old when early kings were crowned upon a mound of earth and lifted high on to the shoulders of noblemen for all to see.

The Archbishop proclaims: “Stand firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity,” before oaths of allegiance are sworn.

He will say: “I, Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be faithful and true, and faith and truth will bear unto you, our Sovereign Lord, Defender of the Faith, and unto your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”

The Prince of Wales is the only blood prince to pay homage during the service, in a break with tradition.

Kneeling before the King, he says: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”

The new “Homage of the People” invites people watching around the UK and across world in the King’s overseas realms to cry out and join in by swearing allegiance to the King.

The Archbishop says: “I call upon all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.”

People who wish to can then say together: “I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”

Archbishop of Canterbury then proclaims: “God save the King”, with the people replying: “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live for ever.”

“Confortare” by Sir Henry Walford Davies is then sung.

Coronation of the Queen Consort

Camilla will anointed on the forehead by the Archbishop. In a break with tradition, she will be anointed in public rather than in private under a canopy.

She will then be presented with the Queen Consort’s Ring by the Keeper of the Jewel House.

The Dean will hand Queen Mary’s Crown to the Archbishop, who will say: “May thy servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled by thine abundant grace and with all princely virtues; reign in her heart, o king of love, that, being certain of thy protection, she may be crowned with thy gracious favour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Camilla will also be presented with the Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove and the Queen Consort’s Sceptre with Cross.

Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s coronation anthem, “Make a Joyful Noise”, is sung before Camilla is enthroned.

Communion

Holy communion gifts of bread and wine are then brought before the King for him to acknowledge, making formal presentation of them as they are taken to the High Altar.

The ancient words of the “Agnus Dei” are sung as communion is received, and the Archbishop says a prayer after communion and the final blessing.

“Amen” by Gibbons is sung, followed by the hymn “Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven”, and then William Boyce’s “Anthem”, composed for George III’s coronation.

Charles and Camilla change into their purple Robes of Estate and the King puts on the Imperial State Crown

“Te Deum” by Sir William Walton is sung as the King and Queen Consort move into St Edward’s Chapel behind the High Altar. The National Anthem is then sung, before the King and Queen Consort leave the Abbey.

After the service

At the end of the procession near the Great West Door, the King receives a greeting by leaders and representatives from different faith communities.

Those taking part are Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala (Buddhist), Lord Singh of Wimbledon (Sikh), Radha Mohan das (a representative from a Hindu temple in Hertfordshire), Aliya Azam (Islam) and the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (Judaism).

As the King stands before the faith leaders and representatives, they say in unison: “Your Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.”

The message will not be amplified with microphones to respect those observing the Jewish Shabbat – the day of rest.

The King acknowledges the greeting, and turns to greet the Governors-General and acknowledges their greeting.

He proceeds to the Gold State Coach with the Queen Consort for their coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace.