King Charles’ Coronation Music Revealed: Everything to Know

Making it official. King Charles III immediately assumed his rightful place as sovereign upon Queen Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 96 in September, and his coronation date has finally been set.According to a press release from Buckingham Palace, the coronation — which is set to take place on May 6, 2023 — “will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.” The official event falls on the same day as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s son Archie’s 4th birthday.Charles, 73, previously had an Ascension Ceremony on September 10, two days after his mother’s passing. The service was part of Operation Golden Orb, which outlines the complete plan for Charles inheriting the throne beginning with Her Majesty’s death and ending with his coronation.“My mother’s reign was unequaled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion,” Elizabeth’s oldest child told the Ascension Council during the ceremony. “Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life. I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.”[jwplayer qujBxjar-zhNYySv2]The former Prince of Wales also vowed to follow in the footsteps of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. “In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose sovereign I have been called upon to be, and in the discharge of these duties, I will be guided by the council of their elected parliaments,” he said.One of the England native’s first actions as king was to declare the day of his late mother’s funeral, September 19, a bank holiday in the U.K. As the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, Charles was just 3 when his then-25-year-old mother became queen in June 1953. The day after Elizabeth’s death, Charles addressed the nation as king for the first time.“Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the realms and territories across the world and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love as I have throughout my life,” he said. “My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”Prince William is now first in line for the throne, followed by his three children with Princess Kate — Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4. Harry, 38, for his part, is fifth in line.Scroll through for everything to know about the coronation:

The official event will be held at Westminster Abbey in London and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Coronation Service will be the main event on the first day of Coronation Weekend, Saturday, May 6, and will take place in the morning. Charles and Camilla will arrive at Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace in what’s known as “The King’s Procession.”

After the Coronation Service, the king and queen will return to Buckingham Palace in the “The Coronation Procession.” Other royal family members will join them on their procession back.

Once they arrive at Buckingham Palace, the royal family will appear on the balcony to conclude the day.

Royal expert at family history site MyHeritage.com Myko Clelland exclusively told Us Weekly in September that many members of the royal family will likely be present at the coronation.

“You’ll see William, you’ll see Catherine, you’ll most likely see their children. You’ll see Charles and [Queen Consort] Camilla. You might see [Charles’] siblings, that’s kind of possible,” he said at the time.

The Queen Consort will appear alongside the king during the historic ceremony and will also be crowned. Camilla, like Charles, automatically assumed her new royal title upon the queen’s death.

“St Edward’s Crown, the historic centrepiece of the Crown Jewels, has been removed from the Tower of London to allow for modification work to begin ahead of the Coronation on Saturday 6th May 2023,” Buckingham Palace announced via Instagram in December 2022. “As per tradition, The King will be crowned with St Edward’s Crown during the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey. The King will also wear the Imperial State Crown during the Service.”

The Coronation Concert will be held at Windsor Castle on Sunday, May 7. “Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, the Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion,” Buckingham Palace revealed in a January press release.

“The concert will see a world-class orchestra play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by some of the world’s biggest entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance. The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen. “

In addition to music stars, the concert will also include the debut of the Coronation Choir, which will be made up of members of “community choirs and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom, such as Refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs.” A new documentary will explore the formation of diverse group.

“Lighting up the Nation” is being touted as the “centerpiece” of the night. Iconic locations across the U.K. will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

In April, the BBC announced the star-studded lineup for the event which includes Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Take ThatBryn Terfelshire, Freya Ridings and more.

The audience will include volunteers from Charles and Camilla’s affiliated charities, and several thousand tickets will be given away for free through a national ballot held by the BBC.

Neighborhoods and communities are invited to share a meal on Sunday, May 7, “in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship,” per Buckingham Palace. Thousands of lunches are expected to take place across the U.K.

“The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by The National Lottery, that brings millions of people together annually to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes. Her Majesty The Queen Consort has been Patron of the Big Lunch since 2013,” the Palace noted.

The Big Help Out will be held on Monday, May 8. Organized by The Together Coalition and several other charities, the Big Help Out will highlight volunteer work across the U.K.

“In tribute to His Majesty The King’s public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas,” Buckingham Palace explained in a January 2023 press statement. “The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.”

Charles commissioned Andrew Lloyd Webber to write one of the new musical pieces for his coronation. The Phantom of the Opera composer adapted a piece of church music that will play in Westminster Abbey for Charles’ big day.

“I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion,” Webber said in a statement distributed by Buckingham Palace in February 2023.

The duo confirmed on March 5 that they received an invite. ”I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation,” a spokesperson for the Archewell founders told Us. “An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time.”

One month later, the palace announced that Harry will travel to the U.K. for the ceremony without Meghan.

“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th,” a statement read on April 12. “The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”

Per an announcement from Buckingham Palace in April 2023, both Charles and Camilla will have four Pages of Honour. The king’s companions will be his eldest grandson, George, as well as Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Nicholas Barclay and Ralph Tollemache. Camilla, meanwhile, will have her grandsons, Gus and Louis Lopes and Freddy Parker Bowles, as her Pages of Honour, as well as her great-nephew, Arthur Elliot.

Six new works have been composed specifically for Charles’ coronation service, including music written by Patrick Doyle for his ceremonial march.

“A life-long music enthusiast and champion of the arts, His Majesty has overseen, influenced and been personally involved in the commissioning process and the detail of the musical program, which will showcase and celebrate musical talent from across the United Kingdom,” a statement via the royal family’s Instagram read in April 2023. “The musical commissions offer contemporary interpretations of centuries of musical tradition, bringing together world-class composers, who are some of the most esteemed living artists from across the Classical, Sacred, Film, Television and Music Theatre fields of music. They have taken varied approaches to their compositions — whether for orchestra, solo voice or choir — resulting in a diverse, inclusive and accessible musical program.”