King Charles III coronation: When is it and what happens during the ceremony?

King Charles is set to be crowned alongside the Queen Consort at a lavish ceremony in Westminster Abbey later this year.

The investiture will form part of a long weekend filled with celebrations for the new monarch, ranging from street parties to concerts.

The King ascended the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September last year, making him the oldest new monarch in British history.

Since then, plans for the much-anticipated coronation weekend, code-named Operation Golden Orb, have been released.

When is the King's Coronation?

The Coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey.

The ceremony will be followed by a weekend of events, including a concert at Windsor Castle.

What will happen at the Coronation ceremony?

The King will be crowned alongside the Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey in London in a service that will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Buckingham Palace said the ceremony will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while remaining rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.

In a statement, the Palace added: "The Coronation is a solemn religious service, together with an occasion for celebration and pageantry.

"The ceremony has retained a similar structure for over a thousand years, and this year’s Coronation is expected to include the same core elements while recognising the spirit of our times.

"For the last 900 years, the ceremony has taken place at Westminster Abbey, London. Since 1066, the service has almost always been conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury."

The service has been planned to be representative of different faiths and community groups, in line with the King's wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain.

He will still pledge to be "Defender of the Faith" in the Coronation oath, but palace aides and church officials plan to add further words that will allow the King to recognise he serves all religions.

The King has asked for Greek Orthodox music to be played in the service in tribute to his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, to be performed by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble.

Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber has been commissioned by King Charles to write his Coronation Anthem, in what the composer hopes will "reflect the joyful occasion".

The anthem is one of 12 new pieces of music selected personally by the new monarch for his ceremony.

The Coronation will also include many of the ceremonies that were seen in the late Queen's service, such as anointing with consecrated oil, the delivery of the orb and the enthroning itself.

Over 8,000 guests from 129 nations travelled to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, but the King's Coronation will be limited to 2,000 to accommodate health and safety restrictions.

It is expected that only a minority of peers will be invited to the ceremony, but it is understood that Buckingham Palace is pleading with Westminster Abbey to secure more spaces for guests.

Charles is understood to want a diverse congregation to witness the historic event, and will invite representatives from his many charity affiliations and from across the voluntary sector.

The King will be asked if he will govern the United Kingdom and other nations of the Commonwealth with law and justice and if he will maintain Christianity in the nation.

He will be seated in the Coronation Chair, known as Edward's Chair, holding the sovereign's sceptre and rod, to represent his control of the nation, and the sovereign's orb, to represent the Christian world.

After being anointed, blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop, Charles will have the crown of St Edward placed on his head, officially crowning him as King Charles III.

Will the Coronation be televised?

It is likely that the Coronation of the King will be televised, particularly as the Accession Council in September last year was televised for the first time ever.

The late Queen's coronation was the first ever to be televised and came at her own request. An estimated 27 million people in the UK watched the ceremony on television, with 11 million tuning in on the radio.

The King could also become the first monarch in British history to be publicly anointed at his Coronation, with a transparent canopy being specially made for the ceremony.

Traditionally, the most sacred part of the event - when the Archbishop of Canterbury pours holy oil from the ampulla onto the Coronation Spoon, and anoints the sovereign on the hands, breast and head - is hidden from the public with a canopy.

The Telegraph understands that an alternative canopy, with a see-through top, is being made to give the King the option of allowing the anointing to be caught on camera for the very first time.

On Sunday, May 7, a Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC, with several thousand pairs of tickets to be made available via public ballot.

When is the Coronation bank holiday?

The Government has proclaimed an additional bank holiday to mark the Coronation on Monday, May 8.

It will take place across the UK, and in recognition of the King's concern for strengthening local communities, the public will be encouraged to volunteer and join projects in their local area as part of the Big Help Out.

The King and Queen Consort hope that the impact of the Big Help Out will be felt across the country, creating a lasting legacy and the recruitment of more volunteers.

The day after the ceremony will also see people across the country hosting the Coronation Big Lunch, during which neighbours and communities will be invited to share food and fun.

What Crown does the king wear?

The King will be crowned with the St Edward's Crown, which is made of solid gold and features over 400 gemstones, including rubies, garnets and sapphires.

The King is thought likely to arrive at his Coronation in military uniform, which would then form his main attire for the ceremony.

It would offer a more modern look than the silk stockings and breeches of his predecessors.

He will enter Westminster Abbey in the Robe of State, also known as the Parliament Robe as it is worn for the State Opening of Parliament.

What is Operation Golden Orb?

Operation Golden Orb is the codename under which plans for King Charles's Coronation had been drawn up.

What will happen after the Coronation?

After the Coronation ceremony, the King will most likely stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, alongside other core members of the Royal family.

The Coronation will see Prince William taking on new titles, including being formally named as the Prince of Wales.

During King Charles's reign, we could see less of a focus on the extended Royal family, with only the King's sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren taking up public roles.

Who will pay for the Coronation?

The Government pays for the Coronation and the King has reportedly expressed a wish that his service is considered "good value" given that it comes during a cost of living crisis.

Will Camilla become Queen?

The Duchess of Cornwall will be crowned Queen alongside her husband during his Coronation.

The Telegraph understands that Buckingham Palace may soon move to officially describe Camilla as Queen rather than Queen Consort.

Royal aides are said to be considering introducing the change after the Coronation.

It comes after the late Queen Elizabeth II last February expressed her "sincere wish" that her daughter-in-law would be known as Queen Consort when Charles became King.

This article is kept updated with the latest information.