A right royal knees-up!

With flags and bunting being hoisted into place up and down the country, excitement is starting to build ahead of the King’s coronation. To help commemorate the once in a lifetime event, we’ve pulled together a useful guide for families on how to make the most of the festivities and soak up the atmosphere without breaking the bank.

 

Public screenings

The actual ceremony takes place on Saturday 6 May, with proceedings kicking off at 11am. If you’re interested in watching the event somewhere with a little more atmosphere, there are various public screenings happening across the UK.

Confirmed sites include Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester, Cardiff Castle, Jubilee Square in Brighton and Belfast City Hall.

 

The Big Lunch

The coronation is the perfect opportunity to bring communities and neighbours together. The Big Lunch is a series of street parties and lunches that have been planned around the country over the weekend for families to share friendship, food and fun.

The event is being run by the Eden Project, the initiative that aims to create ‘happier and healthier’ communities, with planned lunches coinciding with the ceremony.

Communities have been invited to order Big Lunch packs which are full of ideas, inspiration and practical tips for arranging a party in your community.

Families can join one of the numerous parties being put on around the country, with more than 100 currently organised in London alone.

 

Regal feasts

Whether you’re hosting your own party or planning on attending an organised event, the coronation is a great excuse to get creative in the kitchen.

The BBC’s The One Show teamed up with Dame Mary Berry to choose a dish to commemorate the coronation and it’s perfect for picnics. The recipe that came out on top is coronation quiche, which can be eaten hot or cold and contains spinach, broad beans and fresh tarragon.

However, picnic food can be expensive. Bulk cooking is a delicious and cost-effective way to feed party guests. Mince can be picked up for around £3 per 500g and can be easily transformed into a chilli or bolognese for as little as 95p per head.

Sharing the cost is another great way of celebrating with your loved ones. Ask everyone to bring their favourite dish, side or desert and have a buffet-style spread.

Keep the cost of drinks down by buying supermarket own brands, which tend to be a fraction of the price of more well-known brands. Classic drinks such as Pimms can be picked up for around £7 a bottle and most supermarkets have their own fizz and champagne starting from as little as £6 a bottle. It’s the same with fizzy drinks and juices. Opting for own-brand versions will allow you to make significant savings so you can savour every sip at your coronation party.

Don’t waste money on overpriced plastic bunting either. Why not have a go at making your own using red, white and blue paper and cutting out triangles? Hole punch them to thread string though and you’re good to go with your patriotic decorations. It’s a job the kids will love to get involved with too.

 

Lighting up the nation

Windsor Castle will host a spectacular coronation concert the day after the ceremony on Sunday 7 May. Confirmed artists include Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and Take That.

One of the highlights of the event will be ‘lighting up the nation’ where several of the country’s most famous landmarks will be lit up with projections, lasers, drones and illuminations.

The list of landmarks taking part in ‘lighting up the nation’ is yet to be released but you can keep checking the government website for more information. Alternatively, take a punt and head to locations that are often illuminated for special occasions, such as the London Eye.

 

The Big Help Out

Scheduled for Monday 8 May, the Big Help Out is an event organised by the Together Coalition, alongside a wide range of partners including the Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service, and faith groups from across the UK.

As a tribute to His Majesty, the Big Help Out is intended to highlight the positive impact that volunteering has on UK communities by encouraging people to try it for themselves.

Everyone is welcome, whether you can spare one hour, one day or more. There are several categories for volunteers to get involved with, such as animal welfare, health and social care, young people and children, and the environment. It’s hoped the event will bring communities together and create a legacy of goodwill.

 

There are plenty of ways to mark the coronation weekend without having to spend too much. However, if you’re worried about paying the bills this weekend or any other, or your outgoings are more than your income, please get in touch for free advice. We’ve helped over 1.5 million customers and we might be able to help you.