King Charles III’s Coronation is fast approaching, and with another bank holiday pencilled in for the Monday after the coronation, Brits around the country are looking forward to nationwide celebrations in honour of the new monarch.
With Charles set to officially become the nation’s new King on Saturday 6th May, monarchy-mad Britons have been planning street parties, big lunches, BBQs and more to herald his arrival. May is usually the start of summertime weather, and the long-term forecast suggests it’s set to be a sizzler.
Looking to get your garden ready to host a Coronation party for the ages? We caught up with the garden specialists and Royal Warrant holders at Hayter to find out exactly how you can get your garden prepped for the ultimate Coronation party.
Do I need a permit to throw a Coronation party?
The permissions you’ll need for a Coronation-themed party will depend on the nature of the party you’ve got in mind, as well as how many people you’re hoping will attend. If you’re thinking a garden party with your friends and neighbours attending, then you’re good to go – there’s no need to apply for any kind of special dispensation.
However, if you’re looking to throw a street party in your cul-de-sac, then road closure may be necessary, in which case you’d have to apply for a temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) from your local council’s website.
If you’re looking to throw a more large-scale bash, then you might need to apply for a Temporary Events licence for loud music and an alcohol sale license if you’re running something bigger than a small neighbourhood party!
With the coronation only a couple of weeks away, you’re best off opting for a smaller-scale bash, in case you don’t get the paperwork approved in time!
Add a pop of colour with your plants
Freshly-bedded plants and flowers are a great way to add a pop of colour to your garden ahead of accommodating your guests this bank holiday weekend. Not only this, but the right flowers will keep your garden looking fun and fresh all summer long, whilst encouraging eco-systems of bees to thrive.
Try planting lavender for a pop of purple and a lovely scent, or potentillas or sweet peas for an exciting shade of pink. Your flowers can also be a great way to show off your national pride – red geraniums, white salvias and blue Ageratum are commonly used together to create a Union Jack-themed flower arrangement.
Save money on seating
If you’re planning on having your guests enjoy the coronation weekend in your garden, it’s important that you have some nice seating available to accommodate them. If you’re handy and have a little DIY experience, you can save on seating costs by building outdoor seating out of pallet wood!
There are plenty of videos available on YouTube with tips and tricks on how to create garden furniture with reclaimed pallet wood. Just make sure you’re following all the proper health and safety precautions – and remove any old nails from your pallet wood! You wouldn’t want any of your guests getting a nasty surprise…
Striping your lawn
There are few more British activities than striping your lawn, and employing a gorgeous striped lawn is one way to add a little extra charm and class to your home for the holiday weekend! If you’re an experienced mower, why not try a themed pattern to celebrate Charles’ special weekend?
It’s always impressive when people can mow patterns into their lawn – like hearts for Valentine’s Day, or perhaps a Union Jack for this bank holiday weekend? Today’s rear-roller mowers make striped lawnmowing easier than ever!
Décor
Without the proper décor, the significance of your party might be lost. Your guests want to bring in the Coronation in style, so it’s worth investing in themed décor! Check out party shops for bunting, dishes and tablecloths to celebrate the big day – you can even get fun Coronation-themed party games like “Pin the Crown on King Charles.”
We’d always recommend a few fun activities for the kids, too – with a few felt-tip pens and paper, you can encourage them to create their own décor for the party, like posters, bunting and more!
Food
A spot of tea? Why not celebrate Britain’s big day with some quintessentially British party food. You can’t go wrong with coronation chicken, or an afternoon tea selection with scones and jam. How about finger sandwiches, scotch eggs, or a cheeseboard? Some good food is certain to put a smile on your guests’ face.
Watching the big moments
And, of course, you’ll want to get a viewing area set up for your guests to actually watch the day’s celebrations. If you’ve got a projector handy or can borrow one from your local school or a friend, it’s a great way to add a little extra excitement to the viewing experience.
Here’s the expected times for some of the day’s most exciting moments – but remember, these are just guides of the expected times, so be careful not to miss anything!
9:30am** – The King’s Procession – Charles and Camilla will lead a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, where the ceremony will take place.
11am – Coronation Ceremony – a solemn, religious service at Westminster Abbey to officially coronate Charles. It’s unclear how long this service will take.
??? – Coronation Procession – Charles and Camilla will return to Buckingham Abbey in time for the Red Arrows’ Flyover, expected to take place between 2:30-3pm.
2:30-3pm – Red Arrows Flyover
**It’s unclear what time The King’s Procession will begin – but be ready from at least 9:30am to ensure you catch it!
So, there you have it! With all these ingredients, there’s no reason why you can’t have an amazing garden party to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation in a couple weeks’ time. Get the garden prepped, invite your nearest and dearest, and make the most of the bank hol weekend!
BERRY’S JEWELLERS UNVEILS A MODERNISED DESIGN OF THE CORONATION CROWN
