Cumbrian residents are being invited to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort with a series of celebratory events.

A Coronation is a symbolic, religious event where a sovereign is crowned. In the UK, it formalises the monarch’s role as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of their title and powers.

The Coronation of King Charles III will be the first Coronation event to take place in the UK since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was crowned almost 70 years ago.

On Saturday 6 May, the Coronation Ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, which can be watched on television and online, followed by opportunities to get involved in The Big Lunch from 6-8 May and The Big Help Out on 8 May.

On Sunday 7 May, a spectacular Coronation Concert will be performed at Windsor Castle with iconic locations across the UK lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. This will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Cumberland Council has announced that both the Coronation Ceremony on Saturday 6 May, and the Coronation Concert on 7 May, will be shown on big screens at Carlisle’s Victoria Park and outside Workington’s leisure centre.

From baking the official Coronation quiche, to crafting your own bunting, to volunteering your time to help others, there are a number of ways you can get involved and create long lasting memories of this historical event.

If you are thinking about hosting a party with neighbours in your area, there’s still time to plan! Visit The Big Lunch website to download a free Coronation Big Lunch pack full of ideas, tips, and practical help you plan your community event.

Find out what events and activities are taking place near you by visiting the Coronation interactive map, or add yours to the digital map so others can see what you have got planned.

Mrs Claire Hensman, Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, said:

“This coronation is a historic, once in a lifetime event and it is an honour to support The King and The Queen by promoting all the events and activities that will be happening to celebrate the Coronation across Cumbria.

“We are fortunate in Cumbria to have hosted many royal visits by the King, when he was Prince of Wales, over very many years and he has great affection for our county, its people, its heritage and its landscape. This is a wonderful opportunity for local communities to join together rejoicing in the unifying influence which the monarchy brings through a multitude of community events and activities.”

For more information, inspiration and resources, visit the official Coronation website, www.coronation.gov.uk.