With exactly two weeks to the May 6 Coronation of King Charles III at the Westminster Abbey, the bells are already ringing loudly for the crowning of the 74-year-old monarch. Most notable is the disclosure that British history under him will be known as the Carolean era.
Thus, it will be in sync with the reigns of Kings Charles I and II as British history under both were equally known as the Carolean era. Meanwhile, there’s the likelihood that traffic wardens in Westminster may go ahead with their planned walkout – over pay and work conditions with their employer, NSL- on Coronation day itself and also on the Tuesday and Thursday before it, except the workers GMB union and their employer reach a compromise.
According to strike coordinator, Alex Etches, “if NSL fail to make a sensible offer, we’ll see just what an important job our members do as the King makes his way from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Cathedral.”
However, not having traffic wardens in action doesn’t seem to be causing any headache to the Palace nor a clog in the wheels of the preparations.
Earlier in the week, the first rehearsal for the historic day took place in the early hours of the morning between the Mall and Buckingham Palace.
During the exercise, carriages, horses, soldiers and sailors practiced their moves on the route along Whitehall and between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
The May 6 coronation is expected to be the largest military ceremonial operation since the crowing of the King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. About 6000 members of the UK armed forces personnel and 400 others from around 35 Commonwealth countries are expected to be on duty on the coronation day and will accompany the King and Queen Consort Camilla to the Palace after the coronation.
Besides ceremonial preparations, stomach matters are not excluded in the line up of events leading to the big day. A few days ago, the Coronation Quiche was announced to the public as the official dish of the big day. One of the King’s brothers, Prince Andrew, was seen offering a piece of the mostly meat-free dish to a member of the public.