Residents in Croydon, Hackney and Lewisham have between two days and three weeks to apply for council funding for their celebrations commemorating the coronation of King Charles III.
Councils are providing grants of up to £750 for local people to organise street parties as part of their Big Coronation Lunch initiative. The money can be used to cover the cost of decorations, road closures and safety equipment.
At Westminster Abbey on May 6, Charles III will be crowned His Majesty the King, and his wife Camilla, The Queen Consort. Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit London on this day to be part of the historic event.
On May 7, a Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle, showcasing the country’s culture and heritage in music, theatre and dance, followed by an additional bank holiday on May 8 to give the British public ample time to celebrate.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour.”
Tower Hamlets have already closed their grant applications, but occupants of the remaining East London Boroughs still have time to apply.
Lewisham residents have until March 19, Hackney residents have until April 6 and Croydon residents have until April 7.
The big lunches taking place across the UK will acknowledge the coronation ceremony commemorating Charles III’s accession to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.
It is not necessary for a coronation to take place for the former Prince of Wales to become King as the ceremony is largely a symbolic religious ceremony.
Edward VIII reigned without coronation and Charles III has been king since Queen Elizabeth II died despite the coronation not taking place yet.
Tens of thousands of Coronation Street parties and Big Lunches are expected to take place across the weekend. Big Lunches take place across the UK annually and last year raised £22 million for local charities.
