King Charles III traveled between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey before and after his coronation.
The service lasted just over two hours—about an hour shorter than Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953—and followed a traditional format that hasn’t changed much in the last thousand years.
Tourists and locals alike attended street parties, while hotels and restaurants in London and abroad hosted coronation-themed packages, menus, decor, and, of course, high tea. Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Take That headlined the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle the following evening. Almost 4,000 public events and 665 private street parties were registered on the British government’s official coronation site.
Keep scrolling to see more from some of the coronation celebrations…
The Londoner
At the “super boutique” hotel The Londoner, located in London’s West End, guests could follow in the footsteps of royalty with the Royal Coronation Experience. The package includes a guided Royal Coronation Tour along the procession route—from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.
Photo: Courtesy of The Londoner
Visitors to The Stage bar at The Londoner can raise a coupe to the crown with its Oysters & Martinis menu that includes Fine de Claire oysters, served with lemon creme fraiche and green tabasco dill oil, and the king’s favorite cocktail, the martini. Choose from three martini variations including His Majesty, which is made with Belvedere vodka, Cocchi Americano wine, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, Champagne, and jasmine lactic syrup.
Photo: Courtesy of The Londoner
Virgin Atlantic
To celebrate in the sky, Virgin Atlantic offered passengers in its upper and premium classes a bespoke tea that included finger sandwiches with fillings of dill cream cheese and roasted peppers; cheddar cheese, pickle, and mixed leaf; and vegetarian coronation chickpea. Sweet treats included a warm scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam and a trio of mini patisseries, including a red, white, and blue Battenburg.
Plus, on May 6, upper-class passengers also received a mini bottle of Lanson Black Label Champagne, while all travelers were treated to limited-edition Eton Mess “Coronation Popcorn” by London-based Joe & Seph’s on flights departing the U.K. for the U.S. and the Caribbean May 6-8.
Plus, on May 6, upper-class passengers also received a mini bottle of Lanson Black Label Champagne, while all travelers were treated to limited-edition Eton Mess “Coronation Popcorn” by London-based Joe & Seph’s on flights departing the U.K. for the U.S. and the Caribbean May 6-8.
Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic
The Dorchester
The Dorchester recreated the decorations used to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 by British stage designer Oliver Messel. The hotel’s iconic facade was originally decorated with dramatic draping along the balconies and gold adornments embellishing the windows.
Photo: Courtesy of The Dorchester
In addition to recreating Messel’s lavish decorations, the hotel served a decadent coronation-themed afternoon tea. Created by executive pastry chef Michael Kwan, the celebratory tea featured a selection of delicate cakes, sandwiches, and English sparkling wine.
Photo: Courtesy of The Dorchester
Tea & Sympathy
Tea & Sympathy—the NYC restaurant that serves traditional British comfort food and sells popular British groceries, sweets, tea, teapots, cups, and saucers—hosted a party on May 6. It included a raffle drawing with the winner receiving a gift certificate for afternoon tea for two, a scone mix gift set, and a tin of loose English breakfast tea. Restaurant menu items included the king’s official coronation quiche, house salad, and an elderflower and rose Bellini.
Photo: Courtesy of @teaandsympathynyc/Instagram
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Guests of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London can celebrate with the opulent accommodation suite experience “A Very Royal Occasion,” which is available until May 31, with prices starting at about $5,000. It features a full English breakfast with Oscietra caviar, a curated Highgrove hamper filled with a selection of tea and preserves, and more.
The hotel also created a menu of reinvented dishes that were served at British coronation banquets throughout the years. The four-course “Royal Cooking” menu includes coronation chicken tart, veal sweetbread, filet of beef royale, Fflampayne, and a trifle in honor of King Charles III. On May 6, guests and passersby were treated to coronation lollipops flavored with vanilla and whiskey, and decorated with the king’s cypher.
The hotel also created a menu of reinvented dishes that were served at British coronation banquets throughout the years. The four-course “Royal Cooking” menu includes coronation chicken tart, veal sweetbread, filet of beef royale, Fflampayne, and a trifle in honor of King Charles III. On May 6, guests and passersby were treated to coronation lollipops flavored with vanilla and whiskey, and decorated with the king’s cypher.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Chilli Chihuahua’s Royal Tour
Although not one of the Queen’s beloved corgis, dogfluencer Chilli Chihuahua did take his own royal carriage ride around London in the lead-up to the coronation. Starting at Buckingham Palace, Chilli visited all of the city’s major sites including Big Ben, the London Eye, and Horse Guards Parade.
Photo: Courtesy of @chilliwawa/Instagram
11 Cadogan Gardens
Comprising four separate Victorian townhouses, 11 Cadogan Gardens, which is a 25-minute walk from Buckingham Palace, offers guests the chance to celebrate the king's coronation with its Live Like a King Package. It features personalized amenities and gifts, afternoon tea, daily English breakfast, and a chauffeured ride to Chelsea directly from the airport.
Photo: Courtesy of 11 Cadogan Gardens
The Mayfair Townhouse
Nestled in one of London’s most fashionable neighborhoods, The Mayfair Townhouse invites guests to raise a royal toast in honor of the coronation of King Charles III. The Dandy Coronation Package includes a coronation-themed surprise, a welcome cocktail in The Dandy Bar, and a souvenir.
Photo: Courtesy of The Mayfair Townhouse
Shangri-La The Shard, London
The GŎNG Bar, located on the 52nd floor of the Shangri-La The Shard, London, hosted an after-party with royal decor, a live DJ, bites, and cocktails, including a special coronation creation. Bar 31, located on the ground floor, hosted a street party and livestream of the event with Britain's favorite dishes such as coronation chicken, tea, and Pimm's. The hotel’s overnight guests received special amenities including a crown or tiara and Union Jack-themed pastries in-room.
And the hotel's newest experience, the Royal Jewels & Gin Experience, unlocks the gates of the Tower of London for guests to marvel at the Crown Jewels before a visit to a local distillery to learn about gin and the gin martini, which is rumored to be a favorite drink of King Charles.
And the hotel's newest experience, the Royal Jewels & Gin Experience, unlocks the gates of the Tower of London for guests to marvel at the Crown Jewels before a visit to a local distillery to learn about gin and the gin martini, which is rumored to be a favorite drink of King Charles.
Photo: Courtesy of Shangri-La The Shard, London
The Stafford London
This property celebrated the coronation with a street party-style event in The American Bar’s outdoor courtyard. Guests were able to enjoy music, outdoor games, and a selection of British party food including a slow-roasted free-range pig, vegetable and halloumi skewers, and homemade sugar doughnuts.
Photo: Courtesy of The Stafford London
Hotel Cafe Royal
Hotel Cafe Royal curated two bespoke experiences for guests during the king's coronation. “The Crown Jewels Experience,” available through Oct. 1, includes a stay in the two-bedroom Royal Suite and an after-hours visit to the Tower of London, featuring a tour of the grounds by one of the king’s beefeaters, followed by a Champagne reception and private viewing of the Crown Jewels and the Royal Collection at the Jewel House. “The King Charles III Experience,” also available through Oct. 1, includes a tour guided by a royal expert of iconic landmarks associated with King Charles, such as Clarence House, St James’s Palace, and Buckingham Palace as well as a Champagne afternoon tea.
The hotel’s executive pastry chef also created the iconic Sovereign’s Orb (pictured) using a blend of yuzu chocolate that was filled with bergamot and raspberry and Champagne truffles.
The hotel’s executive pastry chef also created the iconic Sovereign’s Orb (pictured) using a blend of yuzu chocolate that was filled with bergamot and raspberry and Champagne truffles.
Photo: Courtesy of @ hotelcaferoyal/Instagram
Windsor & Eton Brewery's Return of the King Coronation Ale
Made with barley grown at the Royal Farm in Windsor, the Coronation Ale, Return of the King, from Windsor & Eton Brewery, which is available year-round, features an iconic image of King Charles on the label. London portrait artist Martin Jessup was commissioned to paint the new king, who’s considered to be a champion for environmental issues, surrounded by the birds, butterflies, and bees of the British countryside.
Photo: Michele Laufik/BizBash
Fortnum & Mason’s Coronation Collection
Fortnum & Mason commemorates the monumental moment with a collection that includes a range of homeware, grocery, confectionery, and collectible memorabilia such as Coronation Blend ground coffee ($26) that’s inspired by East Africa's coffee-growing history; a Musical Coronation biscuit tin ($48) that plays “God Save the King” as it spins; and the Royal Tea gift box (pictured, $90) featuring the new Coronation Darjeeling tea blend and a mug.
Photo: Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum commissioned artists Lucy Morrish and Jethro Buck to create the artwork featured on the collection’s packaging. Both artists took inspiration from the iconography of royal pageants and ceremonies to decorate the commemorative tins and teaware with an array of animals from Commonwealth nations.
Photo: Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason
King Charles III traveled between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey before and after his coronation.
