The Coronation of HM King Charles III
Join us to celebrate the Coronation of HM The King.
A Service of Thanksgiving in Celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III, Sunday 7 May, 4pm
Join us for Evensong with a county celebration of the Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM The Queen Consort.
The service will be led by the Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson. The sermon will be preached by the Bishop of Worcester and Lord High Almoner, the Right Reverend Dr John Inge. The Dean and Chapter are delighted to be joined by the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, the Chair of the County Council and the Mayor. A Civic procession from the Guildhall will arrive at the Cathedral at 3.50pm.
All are warmly welcome to join us for Evensong, with a Coronation theme, including hymns, readings, sermon and the National Anthem.
Ring for the King, Saturday 6 May, 12-4pm
To celebrate the Coronation, Worcester Cathedral Guild of Bellringers will ring a full-peal from 12-4pm as part of the national ‘Ring for the King’ initiative.
King Charles III Coronation Art Installation, 5 – 22 May
From 5 to 22 May, a Coronation themed art installation will be on display in the West Cloister to commemorate this historic event.
Visual artist Sarah Edwards (Spare Room Arts) and Level 1 Art & Design students from HOW College Worcester will create a piece of visual art based upon the life of King Charles III. The artwork will take inspiration from the Cathedral’s stained-glass windows and the finished piece will be on display in the cloister until 22 May.
Coronation Floral Arrangements, 3 - 9 May
The Flower Guild will display beautiful Coronation-themed floral arrangements around the Cathedral from 3 May, and throughout the Coronation weekend.
The Big Help Out, Monday 8 May
Come along and meet our volunteers, from 11am – 2pm, to learn more about volunteering at Worcester Cathedral. Find out how you could help to enhance our visitors’ experience and play your part in preserving over 1,000 years of history and heritage.
Find out about volunteering at Worcester Cathedral.
Royal Tours, Tuesday 9 May at 12pm & Thursday 11 May at 2pm
Come and explore our royal connections through history, from King Stephen, who visited in the 12th Century, to King Henry II and his wife Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1158, and of course King John, who visited on several occasions, finally wishing to be buried here.
John’s son Henry III visited the Cathedral in the 13th Century, Prince Llewelyn of Wales married Lady Eleanor de Montfort here in October 1278, King Edward I came to Worcester several times in the late 13th and early 14th Century and Henry IV on two occasions in 1401 and 1405.
In the Tudor era Prince Arthur (Henry VIII’s older brother) visited twice in the 1490s and was buried here following his untimely death in 1502, aged just 15. Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII (later Queen Mary Tudor), visited in 1525.
Queen Elizabeth I came to visit her Uncle, Prince Arthur’s Chantry Chapel here in August 1575. King Charles I is said to have visited in 1644, King James II in 1687 and King George III in August 1788 for a holiday and to attend the Three Choirs Festival with his family. A young Princess (later Queen) Victoria visited in 1830.
And we have of course been visited by more recent members of the Royal Family, including HM Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions, most recently in July 2012, and The King (then Prince Charles) himself even visited the Three Choirs Festival here in 2017.
Tours are priced at £7 per person. There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day and head to the welcome desk. There will be 15 places per tour.
Mini-Library Tours, Monday 8 May
Climb the 46 steps to our Medieval Library and enjoy a short 15-20 minute tour at 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 12 noon or 12.30pm, for just £5 per person.
*not suitable for children under 12 years old.
Royal Library Tours, Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May
Join our Librarian for a royal-themed Library Tour on Tuesday 9 May at 2pm or Thursday 11 May at 11am. These 45 minute tours will explore books and documents in our archives with a royal theme or connection and cost £10 per person.
*not suitable for children under 12 years old. 46 steps to reach library. Numbers restricted to 15 people per tour.
There will also be a children’s trail and plenty more for the whole family to explore, including King John’s tomb and Prince Arthur’s chantry chapel, throughout the Coronation weekend.
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