The coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 6 May 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
Compared with previous coronations, the ceremony will undergo some alterations to represent multiple faiths, cultures, and communities across the United Kingdom, and will be shorter than Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. The ceremony will begin with the anointing of Charles, symbolising his spiritual entry into kingship, and then his crowning and enthronement, representing his assumption of temporal powers and responsibilities. Camilla will be crowned in a shorter and simpler ceremony.
The royal family will then travel to Buckingham Palace in a state procession and appear on the balcony to celebrate the occasion.
In addition to the ceremony, the coronation will be marked by public celebrations. On 7th May, the 'Coronation Big Lunch' will take place, providing the public with the opportunity to mark the occasion with street parties. The 'Coronation Concert' will be held on the same day at Windsor Castle with representatives of the King and the Queen Consort's charities as well as members of the general public in attendance. On 8th May, the 'Big Help Out' initiative will take place to encourage community service and volunteering.
(NB. There is a lot of material here, probably enough to fill a couple of sessions.)
(NB. You could take screenshots for printing handouts or if you click on the first photo if you are broadcasting a slide show will open.)
Discussion
Ask members what they think of the Royal Family?
Are they more monarchist or republican?
Do they think Charles will make a good King at age 74?
What do they think about Queen Camilla?
Who will watch the 'Coronation Ceremony'?
Who will be celebrating with a 'Coronation Big Lunch' or street party?
Idioms
Ask members to complete these well known phrases together ...
The Crown JEWELS
Tower Of LONDON
Roll out the red CARPET
Drama QUEEN
Queen BEE
Pay a King's RANSOM
Battle ROYAL
A right Royal PAIN IN THE PROVERBIAL
Prince CHARMING
King of the WORLD ('Titanic' movie)
Build castles in the AIR
The emperor's new CLOTHES
On the porcelain THRONE
Prince and PAUPER
Princess and the PEA
Grand Old Duke Of YORK (How many men did he have?)
Blue BLOOD
Crowning GLORY
Jewel in the CROWN
Until Kingdom COME
Reminiscence
SONG BREAK. 'Buckingham Palace', Ann Stephens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCdzGThASr8
Has anyone met a member of the Royal Family?
Or been at a royal occasion?
The King's Head
How much is a first class stamp these days?
T or F. The profile of the monarch on coins changes from left to right and right to left with every new King or Queen?
Name these famous people on the reverse of the current polymer Sterling notes?
Clues:
- "British Bulldog"
- 'Pride And Prejudice'
- 'The Fighting Temeraire'
- 'The Enigma Code'
His Wife
What was her previous name before marrying Charles on 9th May 2005?
Will (or should) she be 'Queen' or 'Queen Consort'?
His Ma
What was her full name?
How old was she when she became Queen?
His Family
Who was his Pa?
Who are his sister and brothers?
Line Of Succession
Name the people in the line of succession currently?
Their Mother & Grandmother
What was her maiden name?
When did she sadly die in Paris?
Some Royal Occasions
What date was the 'Coronation Of Queen Elizabeth 11'? & Where was she holidaying when she heard of the death of her father, King George V1?
What date was Prince Charles's 'Investiture' as 'Prince Of Wales'? & Which Welsh castle did it take place in?
Name these three Royal Weddings? What years were they in?
Name this Royal Funeral? Why is HM Queen Elizabeth sitting alone?
FACTOID. Charles' Investiture Crown was made with electro-magnetic plating, which was revolutionary for the time, and provided a modern twist to the historic occasion. However, difficulty crafting a metal orb centre-piece reportedly resulted in a ping-pong ball being used instead.
What date was HM Queen Elizabeth's funeral?
How far did people queue to pay their respects?
How old was she when she died?
How long was her reign?
Name these objects?
What is the most valuable diamond in the world, also featured as part of this collection?
FACTOID. 'The Stone of Scone', also known as the 'Stone of Destiny', is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland. It will be re-inserted into the 'Coronation Throne' in Westminster Abbey for King Charles 111 Coronation on 6th May.
This lovely video was broadcast as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebration.
What sandwich does he keep in his hat and she keep in her handbag?
Some Former Kings & Queens
Name the King and Queen who led us through the Second World War? (1936 - 1952)
Name the former Royal couple? (He abdicated in 1936)
Name the King from 1910 - 1936?
Name the King from 1901 - 1910?
Name the former Queen & what was her husband's name? (1837-1901)
Who is playing the Queen in this comedy clip?
Name the six wives of Henry V111?
(The rhyme is below)
SONG BREAK. 'I'm Henry V111, I Am', Herman's Hermits - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1GS6gu1FgY
(FACTOID. Said at the time to be "the fastest-selling song in history")
King Henry VIII,
To six wives he was wedded.
One died, one survived,
Two divorced, two beheaded.
Boleyn and Howard lost their heads,
Anne of Cleves he would not bed,
Jane Seymour gave him a son -
but died before the week was done,
Aragon he did divorce,
Which just left Katherine Parr, of course!
Other Historic Kings & Queens Of England
​  | ​Which king, in the sixth century, had a round table where he and his knights met? What was his sword called? |
​  | ​Which king tried to prove a point about the power of kings by pushing back the sea in Southampton circa 1016? What did he vow to never wear again after the waves washed over him? |
​  | ​Which king was killed in the Norman attack at the Battle of Hastings on October 14th, 1066? Which historic tapestry depicts his death? |
​  | ​Which king visited Sherwood Forest in 1194 and may have met Robin Hood? Who is pictured here playing him? |
​  | ​Which king who had great success against France in the 'Hundred Years War' (reign 1413-1422) did William Shakespeare write about? Who is pictured here playing him? |
​  | ​Which king's remains (reign 1483-1485) were found under a car park in Leicester in 2012? |
​  | ​Which queen (reign 1558-1603) was known as 'The Virgin Queen', because she produced no heir? Was there any relationship between her and our late queen? |
​  | ​On 5th November 1605 which king were Catholic conspirators of the 'Gunpowder Plot' including Guido Fawkes trying to assassinate? |
​  | Which King hid in an oak tree after the Battle Of Worcester in 1651, before fleeing to France until his restoration to the throne in 1660? ​(Hence many pubs are called 'The Royal Oak'.) |
​  | ​Which King's horse did Emily Dickinson throw herself under in the 1913 Derby? What as a Suffragette was she fighting for? |
Royal Residences
Name the boat?
Name the Royal residence? Which English county is it in?
Name the castle? Which year was part of it destroyed by fire? (The Queen called this year her "Annus Horribilis")
Name the Scottish Castle?
Name the main London residence? What road does it sit at the end of?
Name this royal residence where William and Kate live?
Which flag flies when the King is at home?
This statue of Princess Diana was unveiled in the gardens of Kensington Palace on 1st July 2021. Where is her final resting place?
When and why did Harry and Meghan leave the royal family?
What is the name of his new memoir?
Royal Honours
What occasion is this?
What do these initials of the 'Queen's Honours' stand for?
- MBE
- OBE
- CBE
- DBE (or KBE)
On which two occasions does the Queen send cards for (if requested)?
Name these Knights Of The British Empire?
Clues:
- "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"
- "Hannibal The Cannibal"
- "Rocket Man"
- A 'Rolling Stone'
- One of the 'Fab Four'
- Gandalf
Name these Dames Of The British Empire?
Clues:
- 'Great British Bake Off'
- 'Mary Poppins'
- 'Dynasty'
- "Twiggy"
- "Mrs Overall"
- 'Downton Abbey'
Other Royal Duties
What is this political occasion?
At which Royal event does the Queen's horse ride each year?
Where does the Queen lay a wreath of poppies each year & on what date?
What time is the 'King's Christmas Broadcast'?
Name the occasion?
Name the knight and his royal association?
FACTOID. Daniel Craig was rolling around on the floor with the Corgis at one point during the making of this film clip!
As James Bond 007 is 'defender of Queen and country', you might want to look at the 'James Bond Quiz' here - https://www.simondementia.co.uk/single-post/james-bond-music-picture-quiz
Other Massively Positive Contributions
How many nations are in 'The Commonwealth'?
For which award do you have to undertake an expedition?
Which fund provides support to young people to help them find employment?
Which games did Harry establish for injured servicemen and women?
Which prize did William and David Attenborough establish to help save the planet?
Prince Philip's Gaffes
Some of these are culturally insensitive and politically incorrect, so you might want to exclude them?
Some Other Places Associated With Royalty
Carols are broadcast from here every Christmas Eve?
Many royal services have been held here over the years?
This is named after Queen Victoria's husband?
This is named after our late Queen?
Royal Animals
