Next month, the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey, and Gloucester Cathedral and the Diocese of Gloucester invite you to join in marking this historic occasion.
On Monday 8 May, all are warmly welcome to attend a special service held in the Nave of the Cathedral at 11am; this coincides with ‘The Big Help Out’, a voluntary initiative that aims to raise awareness of volunteering throughout the UK. The service will focus on highlighting the positive impact of volunteering organisations across our city, county and diocese, and volunteers are particularly welcome so that their hard work can be celebrated. You are asked to register your attendance in advance via this page of the Cathedral’s website: https://gloucestercathedral.org.uk/whats-on/coronation-service
Throughout May, to coincide with the Coronation, the Cathedral will be running ‘Royal Connections Guided Tours’. These tours will shine a light on the Cathedral’s many royal links throughout history, including being the burial place of King Edward II and the Coronation place of King Henry III in 1216. In more recent history, the famous ‘Coronation Chair’ – which will feature in the Coronation on 6 May – was stored in the Crypt of the Cathedral to prevent it being damaged during the air raids of the Second World War. Tickets for these guided tours will be priced at £6 for adults and £2 for children (6-17 years) and will be available to book in advance via the Cathedral website.
Visitors are also being invited to strike a royal pose throughout the summer. Beginning from 1 May, a historic chair will be on display in the Nave of the Cathedral, positioned just under the stained-glass window depicting the Coronation of Henry III. It will be accompanied by dressing up costumes, offering visitors of all ages the chance to pose for a photo to remember this exciting time in our history. The ‘throne’ will be available during normal Cathedral opening hours.
The Monk’s Kitchen, the Cathedral’s on-site café, will be offering a delicious Coronation-themed Afternoon Tea on Friday 5, Sunday 7 and Monday 8 May, featuring traditional home-made scones with cream and jam, as well as sandwiches and macaroons. The Afternoon Tea will be £14.50 per person, and you are advised to call 01452 689 755 to book in advance.
The Revd Canon Andrew Zihni, Dean-designate of Gloucester, said:
“As a community, we are much looking forward to the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort. This is a historic moment in the story of our nation, which will be an important opportunity for us all to reflect on our past, to celebrate the rich diversity of who we are, and to look with hope to our future.
At a special service of thanksgiving on 8 May, we will gather as a city, county and wider diocese and pray for King Charles and Queen Camilla on this significant occasion, and to encounter in our worship the person of Jesus Christ, the servant King, and hear his call to each of us to serve others. We will also show our thanks and deep appreciation for the many volunteers who work so hard on a daily basis. All are very welcome indeed to join us for these wonderful celebrations.”
