By Lucy Caulkett-
The BBC today unveiled its special coverage and programming to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort across television, radio, BBC News, iPlayer, Sounds and online.
The residents of Albert Square will be celebrating King Charles III’s coronation in a special episode, the broadcaster confirmed.
EastEnders will mark the historical occasion with a Coronation-themed street party in Albert Square hosted by the residents of Walford who come together to celebrate the festivities of the day just as those around the nation will be celebrating this summer.
Interestingly, Prince Charles and Camilla physically participated in an episode of Eastenders last year for the Queen’s jubilee, so the couple have an affinity with the show and the cast.
King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort appeared physically for an episode of EastEnders last year. (Image: PA)
The community spirit of Walford is expected to be at an all-time high as the residents attempt to leave their drama at the door, but whether the day will go ahead without a hitch is yet to be revealed
The Coronation on Saturday 6 May will be the centrepiece of live coverage with ceremonial events including the Westminster Abbey service broadcast across the BBC.
BBC Teach will create a video-led assembly pack for primary schools to mark the Coronation. Supplemented by key images, the pack will suggest reflection and ‘pause for thought’ questions, as well as a suggested framework for teachers to use in the classroom about the momentous occasion, the broadcaster revealed.
The BBC also revealed that Scottish television presenter, Kirsty Young, will be in a studio at Buckingham Palace and former royal marine commando, JJ Chalmers, will speak to members of the military as they prepare for one of the largest parades in living history.
Young will anchor the special live broadcast for BBC Television and iPlayer, Kirsty Young(pictured beow) within the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the concert will take place that evening on the castle’s East Lawn.
An excited Young said: “I’m very happy indeed to be part of the BBC’s Coronation coverage, as our cameras capture history in the making. Ceremony, spectacle and a right royal celebration – it’s got all the ingredients of a weekend worth watching.
Huw Edwards will provide commentary as the doors of Westminster Abbey open and Sophie Raworth will be outside speaking to guests as they arrive, Clare Balding will provide commentary for the ceremonial route, and Anita Rani will join the gathered crowds.
Edwards said: “Few broadcasters have the privilege of working on a Coronation and I’m delighted to be involved. People will be relying on the BBC for coverage of what promises to be a memorable weekend.”
Scottish presenter Kirsty Young will be at Palace Image: PA
Across BBC Radio and Sounds, Martha Kearney will be in the studio, Eleanor Oldroyd will report live from Westminster Abbey and there will be expert insight and analysis from BBC Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond.
JJ Chalmers will speak to military during coronation
Mishal Husain and James Naughtie will report from different parts of the processional route, giving listeners a sense of the anticipation, pageantry and atmosphere as it happens.
Accessibility To The Blind And Partially Sighted
The excellent BBC coverage will also be accessible coverage for people who are blind or partially sighted on Red Button, hosted by Petroc Trelawny.
The Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort will be fully accessible with a signed version on BBC Two
In line with the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II which saw millions tune in to television for the first time, the BBC will be at the forefront of technology with proceedings on iPlayer streaming live from multiple locations in Ultra High Definition and High Dynamic Range.
On Sunday 7 May, the Coronation Concert will see the biggest and brightest stars take to the stage in celebration of the occasion. For BBC Television and iPlayer, Kirsty Young will return to anchor the special live broadcast, this time within the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the concert will take place that evening on the castle’s East Lawn.
Clara Amfo and Jordan Banjo will be backstage with the artists who will perform in front of 20,000 members of the public, including guests from various affiliated charities. The concert will see a world-class orchestra play a host of musical favourites alongside world-class entertainers and performers.
Ahead of the event, BBC Radio 2 will capture the atmosphere of the concert live from Windsor Castle, with Zoe Ball speaking to the performers, while Dermot O’Leary will be amongst the crowds.
Other specially-commissioned programming across BBC television and iPlayer, includes the documentary Charles R: The Making of a Monarch, Stitching for Britain and Sing For The King: The Search for the Coronation Choir.
Proud
Tim Davie, Director-General, said in a statement: “The BBC is very proud to bring landmark events and major historical moments to audiences across the UK and beyond. We will be delivering the full glory of the Coronation with all the quality, ambition and excellence that our teams are globally renowned for.”
Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, said: “The Coronation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to mark history with an unparalleled breadth of programmes. We will have something to enthral all audiences from the pageantry to the procession and the concert, and bring everyone together to celebrate and to share in the significance of the occasion.”
Martha Kearney said: “It’s remarkable to think that William the Conqueror was the first monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. But there weren’t any Norman microphones. More than a thousand years later I’m thrilled to bring the ceremony to radio listeners round the country and the world.”
Zoe Ball says: “What a thrill it is to be part of Radio 2’s coverage of the Coronation concert – speaking to all the stars before they take to the stage for what will be such a fabulous celebration. I’m really looking forward to seeing who Dermot and I bump into at Windsor Castle and bringing all the backstage magic to our listeners live on Radio 2.”
The BBC also said there will also be specials of BBC favourites; Countryfile, Songs Of Praise, Bargain Hunt, The One Show, EastEnders, Antiques Roadshow and Coronation Kitchen.
On Radio and Sounds, Radio 2’s The King and I will hear stories from those who have met The King over the years, Radio 3 will reflect with a programme of traditional repertoire and new commissions and a special Desert Island Discs will feature on Radio 4.
Comprehensive Coverage
BBC News will provide comprehensive coverage with live presentation from Westminster Abbey and contributions from correspondents across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world.
There will be reporting across the BBC’s Local Radio network as we hear from those taking part in the weekend’s events including The Big Lunch. BBC Radio Wales will broadcast King and Country: How Wales Made a Monarch, BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal will bring audiences the ceremony in Gaelic, and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle will reflect local plans across output.
Children’s output will feature the Coronation on Newsround explaining the history and significance of the occasion and there will be a special episode of Blue Peter. Meanwhile, in education, BBC Teach will create a video-led assembly pack for primary schools to mark the Coronation.
Live Broadcast
A live broadcast that will cover all of the ceremonial events as they unfold throughout the day, from the early military movements to the formal processions in the lead up to the Westminster Abbey service.
The BBC will provide an extensive network of cameras to give audiences a front row seat on the ceremonial route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Bespoke commentary, starting with the atmosphere on the streets of London as the street-liners take position, will set the scene for the departure of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort from Buckingham Palace.
In Westminster Abbey, thousands of guests from the UK and around the world will gather, including politicians past and present, faith leaders, The King and Queen Consort’s patronages and members of the Royal Family. With the arrival of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort, the BBC will capture the unique Coronation Service in all its majesty. The architectural splendour of The Abbey will be a breath-taking backdrop to the words and music of the Order of the Service.
The day will continue with the return procession to Buckingham Palace. As the Royal Family are received at The Mall, the BBC will capture the moment that the nation welcomes its newly crowned monarchs before the events culminate in the balcony appearance.
Coverage will be on BBC One and iPlayer with a signed version on BBC Two. There will also be accessible coverage for people who are blind or partially sighted on Red Button, hosted by Petroc Trelawny. Radio 3 will also be reflecting the music of the Coronation and the musical interests of The King in the week leading up to the Coronation and on the day itself.
Coverage will simulcast across BBC Radio 4, 5 Live, Radio 3, BBC World Service and BBC Sounds in the UK. Audiences outside the UK will be able to watch on the BBC News channel, or listen on the World Service.
BBC Studios Productions will be responsible for the broadcast of the Coronation. It will produce, stage and broadcast the Coronation Concert for BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, the corportion said.
Coronation Concert At Windsor Castle
A unique Coronation Concert is also poised to take place at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort.
Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, the Coronation Concert will bring music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of this historic occasion.
The concert will be attended by a public audience including volunteers from The King and The Queen Consort’s many charity affiliations.
It will see a 74 piece world-class classical orchestra to include the strings of the Countess of Wessex String Orchestra and woodwind, brass and percussion sections from the Bands of the Household Division play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by fantastic entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance and the arts.
The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen.
Through a national ballot held by the BBC, five thousand members of the public are being selected to receive a pair of free tickets for the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.
Coronation Choir
Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will also see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir. The 300 strong choir will include singing groups ranging from London Cabbies, an all-deaf sign performance group, a Northern Irish farming community and an LGBTQ+ choir; to a Gaelic choir hailing from the Western Isles of Scotland, Hull’s NHS choir, a traditional male voice choir from Caerphilly and a refugee choir, also from Wales.
A centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, potential drone displays and illuminations.
The concert will see a world-class orchestra play a host of musical favourites alongside world-class entertainers and performers.
There will be specials of BBC favourites; Countryfile, Songs Of Praise, Bargain Hunt, The One Show, EastEnders, Antiques Roadshow and Coronation Kitchen.
The Coronation on Saturday 6 May will be the centrepiece of live coverage with ceremonial events including the Westminster Abbey service broadcast across the BBC.
The big event is also expected to be watched by a global audience is several countries.