Coronation Travel Woes

What is the date you are seeing that the coronation may be? We might be taking a little trip to London in June for a different event.

June 3rd is the reported date.

Buckingham Palace has stated that the June 3rd date is purely speculation so fully expect it to be that date. Also expect some hotels to cancel pre-existing bookings in order to cash in on the hugely inflated prices as witnessed during the Queen's funeral. If I had a booking for June 3rd next year I wouldn't be entirely confident that it won't be cancelled.

I do have bookings for that day but I did book them with Marriott where I have status and if they cancel them for that reason and I’m willing to bet I can get it resolved

That’s why I went with them instead of some of the cheaper options

Any guesses on how early things like Westminster will close if it does happen June 3rd. We were hoping to arrive May 27th and leave June 2nd to avoid the expected coronation date, but Westminster is my husband's #1 site in London. I figured it'd only close a few days early, but I have no clue? Or will it open pretty quickly after? We can also change to arriving June 4th but I only want to change if we have to.

Well for the Queen's coronation it closed MONTHS in advance.

The problem is seating. Westminster does not seat everyone who wants to attend so the question is will Charles cut the guest list or do like they have done in the past and build extra seats.

That said, considering the security requirements for this I think a few days prior is the minimum it would be closed but that's just a guess. I tried to find how long it was closed before the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales and struck out but if you can find that it might be a good guide?

Update Because I was curious here's what I did find No idea about the source
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2020/07/07/westminster-abbey-reopens-to-visitors-this-weekend/

"Ahead of Elizabeth II’s ceremony in June 1953, the nave was closed from December 1 1952, and then the whole Abbey for five months from January 1 1953."

"It was also closed for around a week before William and Kate’s wedding to allow the BBC to prepare their equipment for the live broadcast and for the couple’s final preparations."

Now it opened up a couple of days after the Queen's funeral.

Hopefully that gives you some idea

Westminster Abbey was closed for just over a week before the Queen’s funeral. It’s impossible to predict, but I don’t see why a coronation would be any different. The same big wigs will be invited, presumably. Charles has always said he wants a smaller monarchy - let’s hope the coronation is on a much reduced scale than the Queen’s funeral.

I would envisage that most places will remain open other than Horse Guards Parade. There will be some road closures. The Tower of London may or may not be open for a few days either side of the coronation - they probably won’t be using the actual jewels for any practices.

Trains are likely to be busy. Most shops, cafes etc were closed for the Queen’s funeral, so they may also close for the coronation.

Thanks so much for your input…..our plans are to be in London from May 24-May 30……and then to train to Oxford. I have already purchased RSteve’s recommended tickets to the company that manages the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace …..I guess if that is changed they will reimburse. I was trying to go ahead, a few weeks ago, to order tour tickets to WAbbey but because of the Queen’s funeral the website had closed. I think they do not go on sale in normal times until 3-4 months ahead….so we will see if they issue them at all in May 2023 with coronation coming. I did hear on the news today that Charles wants to make his ceremony smaller and not so many foreign officials will be included because of that.

I have already purchased RSteve’s recommended tickets to the company that manages the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

Do I understand that somebody has sold you tickets to the open to the public, first come first closest to the fence, event? I've never heard of that...

I don't know that anyone can accurately predict Coronation impacts at this point. However, when I toured Westminster Abbey they made a great deal of explaining how extra seating can be built in the Abbey, and in fact was built in the Abbey previously, for large events such as Coronations. I don't anticipate that Westminster Abbey is going to be an option for you in the week or two before the Coronation if not even longer in advance than that.

I have ricks latest book and he doesn’t seem to sell any thing that gets you preferred viewing of the changing of the guard. He does have a tour that apparently goes along with the changing of the guard and walks you through the ceremony but it’s not guaranteeing you a great spot from what I can tell. I was lucky enough once to be inside the fence. They used to allow Girl Scout and girl guide groups in there (I’m sure the same occurred for Boy Scouts) I’ll probably never go again because I’m spoiled but it was so much fun

I don’t believe there is a company that manages the changing of the guard. I believe that is managed by the military

The tour we singed up for is by FUN LONDON TOURS……it is one Rick recommended called CHANGING OF THE GUARD…where you follow along with the guards as they prepare and march to the changing….it does NOT put you near the fence to watch and that is fine with me if we get to see the prep……that is what I was referring to above…….

Fun Tours London does not "manage" changing the guard (fortunately), it's the responsibility of the Army's Household Division. From the sounds of the tour web site, they go to St James's Palace and follow a contingent as it marches to Buckingham Palace. The main contingent marches from Wellington Barracks, but there's better access at St James's Palace.

https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard-overview

Our experience arriving in London on the day of the Queens’s funeral and spending the following day there is that moving around the city can be challenging, especially in the area between Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey. Trains into and out of London were canceled or had schedule changes. Roads and even pedestrian paths within that area were closed. I would expect it to be similar (or worse) for the coronation, so choose your hotel location carefully.

On September 10 I had a very, very, very difficult time getting from the Green Park Underground Station to Victoria Station because walking paths were blocked by crowds. The crowds seem to have gathered spontaneously (per info later provided here), so law enforcement personnel didn't know where the blockages were and gave directions that led to dead ends. I agree that it would be smart to choose a hotel in an area not close to venues likely to be affected by coronation activities. Don't assume that you'll be able to take the Underground everywhere; stations may be closed and some line(s) may not stop at the busiest stations. Based on my experience, such decisions can be made very suddenly.

So NPR has a story that says the coronation will be limited to 2000 guests. I believe that’s what they can seat in the current seeing arrangements with a little modification for Westminster Abbey. So that means they won’t have to close it for months to build temporary seating, but I’m sure it will still have to be closed for media set up rehearsals etc.

We are scheduled to be in London May 24-29 next year…..have our lodging booked and just hoping that means that everything we want to see will not be closed! We secured the flights, etc months ago….we will see!

I went to London just for the Queen's funeral. As the days got closer, roads were closed off, and walkways were diverted. Underground stations around Westminster and Buckingham Palace were closed. If you are staying at the Marriot County Hall, then you can access it from the Southbank rather than from the Westminster side of the River. There has been no definite date, just speculation and June 3 being denied by Buckingham Palace, although leaks sometimes have merit. I would not change anything yet.
Margaret

Ok this is REALLY "speculation"

But I just did my periodic search and found this

'1 hour ago — The King's coronation will be held on Saturday May 6 next year, with the Queen Consort being crowned alongside Charles, Buckingham Palace ...
You've visited this page 2 times. Last visit: 10/11/22'

It takes you to https://www.scotsman.com/news/national/king-charles-iii-coronation-date-announced-by-buckingham-palace-3875638 where you get "page not found" So did they just make up a date or did they spill the beans early and are trying to redact... Bets anyone?

BBC news at 6pm confirms May 6th

It is true - 6th of May - note - NOT June.

The BBC just announced the Coronation will be held on Saturday, 6 May for King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort. Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Yeah, I hope no one made travel plans based on our predictions.

Guardian has the news too, check their front page

Yeah, I hope no one made travel plans based on our predictions.

I did but I did just change all of them easily. Still on the fence. Everything can be cancelled (miles and points bookings)

So glad that all those travelers worried about June can now rest easy. And now those who had planned on being there May 6, can start stressing.

WHEW! I am so relieved that our trip should not be affected by the coronation! Surely by May 24 all the dust will have settled and we can enjoy London!

Jane, even though I'm a little disappointed, I'm actually a little relieved that we'll be in London a month afterward and won't have to worry about things being closed, and deal with all the crowds. And we won't have to get up early to find a good spot to see Charles go by in his carriage. My daughter (13 years old) is more disappointed, so I told her I'd write a strongly worded letter to King Charles taking him to task for not picking the correct date!

QUESTION……can i assume that by May 25 everything closed for the May 6 coronation will be open?

1.) Thoughts are go and enjoy yourself.

2.) Keep checking this website: https://www.royal.uk/ for information

Jane, I would say it is safe to assume everything will be open as usual by May 25.