This May 2023 marks the Coronation of a new Monarch, His Majesty King Charles III. It is the first coronation since Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
It will be celebrated across the country and The Commonwealth and marked with a three-day bank holiday weekend from Saturday 6 May to Monday 8 May 2023.
The RYA is encouraging people from across the boating community to come together to celebrate the historic occasion.
What’s in store
The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. The Service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.
Across the Coronation Weekend, there will be opportunities for people to come together in celebration. On Sunday 7 May, a special Coronation Concert is being staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC and BBC Studios, with several thousand pairs of tickets having been made available via public ballot.
The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country on the same date.
On Monday 8 May 2023, members of the public are invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.
How to get involved
There are many ways you can get involved in His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort’s Coronation plans. From street parties to volunteering days and club lunches, there are a number of ways that the boating community can mark the historic occasion. Find out more about how to take part in the coronation celebrations.
If you’re marking the Coronation on or around the water with friends or at your local club then we’d love to see the images of you sharing the occasion together. Post on social media tagging the @royalyachtingassociation and using #RYAWatchParty or email the RYA Magazine Editor.
We may post some of them on our social channels or publish in the RYA Magazine so please ensure you have permission to share them from those pictured.
Seafaring connections
The Royal Family has a long history of seafaring. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was our Patron for many years and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was elected as President of the RYA in 1956. Following in her father’s footsteps, The Princess Royal has been President since 1987 and is also Patron of the RYA Foundation.
A keen watersports fan, His Majesty King Charles III has been known to enjoy scuba diving and sailing – and was one of the first Royal members in the world to discover windsurfing in the 1970s.
Among many boating-related engagements over the years as The Prince of Wales, he visited the Olympic and Paralympic sailing venue at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in the build up to the 2012 Games, meeting RYA officials and members of the British Sailing Team including 49er duo Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes whose new boat he christened.
Find out more about our Royal connections.