Buckingham Palace has announced a full bank holiday weekend of celebrations for the Coronation of Charles III from May 6-8.

The new monarch will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on the Saturday morning, with the Archbishop of Canterbury also set to coronate Camilla as Queen Consort.

But the celebration does not stop there, with an extra public holiday in the diary for Monday.

Here is what you can expect over the long weekend.

Saturday, May 6

Charles III became King the moment his mother Elizabeth II died on September 8, but this will be an occasion to mark the new rather than mourn the former queen.

The Firm has said the Coronation will be “a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry” - and the crowning itself will likely be the former.

The King and Queen Consort will travel to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach as part of what is known as The King’s Procession, before travelling back in The Coronation Procession - which will likely be grander, showier, and at a slower pace. Once back inside Buckingham Palace, the Royal Family will appear on the balcony.

It has been reported that the ceremony will be shorter for Charles than the 1953 Coronation for his mother and will reflect the diversity of the UK. Planning had been in the works for years before the death of Elizabeth.

Charles will be adorned with St Edward’s Crown, which has been used for six monarchs dating back to 1661, including the late Queen. The crown has been resized to fit the new monarch, but is usually on display at the Tower of London.

King Charles is expected to wear naval uniform and foreign monarchs could attend, in a break with tradition, while the Prince of Wales is likely to be the only Royal to pledge personal allegiance.

The palace has not said exactly which family members will appear in the coronation procession or on the balcony. Reports are mixed as to whether Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan Markle will attend, following their high-profile fallout with the Firm.

During an interview with Tom Bradby on ITV, Harry was asked if he will come to the Coronation, and he said: “There’s a lot that can happen between now and then.”

Cancelled Royals Prince Andrew and Lady Susan Hussey are more likely to be on show, the latter having returned to work after a race row.

How to take part on Saturday

In January, the palace said anyone whose ancestor has taken part in a past ceremony would be allotted a role in this year’s event - although the claim needed to be submitted by February 3.

But for those with failed claims and the rest of us proles, thousands will be lining the streets of the Mall and Westminster as the procession takes place.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “We want everyone up and down the country to have the opportunity to get involved in the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.”

Look out for screenings of the day in community venues but coverage will also be wall-to-wall on mainstream television and radio.

Sunday, May 7

Communities are set to hold street parties around lunchtime on the Sunday, as part of The Big Lunch initiative - which the Queen Consort has been a patron of since 2013. The palace said thousands of events are expected to take place in streets, gardens, and parks in every corner of the UK.

“Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, families, and communities across the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth,” a statement read.

And then, in the evening, The Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle, with performances from musicians and actors as well as an appearance from the Coronation Choir, which is formed of amateur singers and minority community groups. Around 5,000 pairs of free tickets have already been awarded and will include volunteers from the King and Queen Consort’s charity affiliations.

The party will be broadcast live on the BBC and will contain “some of the world’s biggest entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance,” although absent will be many of Britain’s leading lights, who have publicly declined invitations, including Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and Adele.

Take That members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald have been lined up but their former bandmate Robbie Williams, who performed at the World Cup, declined. Lionel Richie is also on the bill, as will be musical numbers from the back catalogue of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

How to take part on Sunday

Whoever does end up performing, it will be easier to view, with the BBC having waived its licence-fee requirement for the weekend. The coverage will be live on BBC 1.

As for the Big Lunch and community events, there will likely be a gathering near you that you can find or advertise on an interactive map the Government has set up specially. Read more about that on the Evening Standard or visit the offiical site.

Monday, May 8

Monday has been set aside for volunteering and is being billed as The Big Help Out.

The organisation is being handled by The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service, and faith groups, with the aim of highlighting the positive impact of volunteering.

There are not set to be any appearances from the King on the bank holiday, with the day being given over to the community.

“In tribute to His Majesty The King’s public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas,” a statement read.

How to take part on Monday

Details have not yet been announced but, from March 20, the official website will contain details of how to get involved and what kind of roles will need filling.