The BBC has announced its comprehensive programming slate for viewers around the world (outside of the UK) to commemorate the Coronations of The King and The Queen Consort. Featuring a live broadcast of the ceremony on the BBC News channel and on BBC.com and a wide-range of on-air content and digital features, the BBC will provide global audiences with a front-row seat to this historic moment, along with added context from a diverse range of views and voices on the event and broader legacy of the British royal family.
“The BBC is committed to giving audiences everywhere a chance to follow the events around the Coronation, live,” said, Naja Nielsen, Digital Director for BBC News. “We are determined to provide unique, first-hand access to this historic event through our programming and digital content with rich and distinctive coverage, expert analysis and the best video and pictures,” she added.
On Saturday 6 May, the BBC will broadcast the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort live on the BBC News channel (check local listings) and BBC.com from 12pm – 7.30pm IST. The live broadcast will cover all the ceremonial events as they unfold throughout the day, from the early military movements to the formal processions, and will give audiences a look at the ceremonial route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
On the day, Kirsty Young will be in a studio at Buckingham Palace and JJ Chalmers will speak to members of the military as they prepare for one of the largest parades in living history. 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.
The coverage will also feature reporting from teams around the world and major Commonwealth nations including countries in the Caribbean, India, Pakistan and Australia, who will provide global context and reflect on the legacy of the monarchy.
In addition to the live broadcast, audiences can follow along with the live page hosted on BBC.com. The page will feature real-time updates, analysis and reactions to the major moments throughout the day.
In the days leading up to the Coronation, the BBC News channel will feature dedicated programming looking at the preparations for the event, examining how the UK, the Commonwealth, monarchy and the new King and Queen are perceived and what’s changed since the last coronation in 1953 – which was ground-breaking for live TV coverage. The BBC’s Katty Kay and Christian Fraser will provide global audiences with build-up from outside the Abbey and Buckingham Palace in the run-up to the day.
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 bringing together millions of people to watch a single event across television and digital platforms.
Online audiences can find a steady drumbeat of special content across BBC.com’s Coronation page where the BBC’s royal experts and global political correspondents provide context, explanations and impartial analysis of the historical event as preparations unfold.
Audiences can take a deeper look into British culture and the significance of the moment with dedicated features across BBC Travel, Future, Culture and Reel including the official Coronation recipes, a look at past Coronation fashion, a spotlight on the Crown Jewels, and the history of Coronation rituals.
For fans of audio, the BBC has several dedicated programmes exploring the history of the monarchy and King Charles III himself.
