Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort arrived at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’. After the Service, Their Majesties returned to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Their Majesties were joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family.
This high profile, historic event was attended by Senior Royals, MPs, VIPs and other persons of note.
Across the Coronation Weekend, there were further opportunities for people to come together in celebration of the historic occasion. On Sunday, 7 May 2023, a special Coronation Concert was staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC and BBC Studios, with several thousand pairs of tickets made available via public ballot. The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities were invited to share food and fun together, took place across the country on the same date.
On Monday, 8 May 2023, members of the public were invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which encouraged people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.
To encourage vigilance throughout the celebrations, we offered our Coronation Toolkit for downloadable assets which was widely shared and displayed throughout the duration of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Being aware of threats
In the unlikely event of a terrorist attack, remember to follow RUN HIDE TELL guidance which can be applied to many situations and places.
There is a helpful checklist on what to do in the event of a bomb threat on ProtectUK.
Communities can help defeat terrorism by reporting any suspicious behaviour or activity. By having more eyes and ears available, we can build resilience and help save lives.
Keep an eye out during your day-to-day commute or recognise any suspicious behaviour. Remember, if you see or hear something that could be related to terrorism, trust your instincts and report it. For more information on how to report, go to Action Counters Terrorism (ACT): Report suspicious activity.
For advice and guidance relating to health, safety and welfare at events, the Purple Guide offers useful and detailed recommendations, considerations and advice that can help save lives.
Be mindful when you are out celebrating, at events like the Coronation, especially on busy, crowded roads or street parties.
The National Vehicle Threat Mitigation Unit (NVTMU) installed various barges, fences and protective measures around London and Windsor to help keep the public safe from hostile vehicles during the Coronation and events. Those who celebrated elsewhere such as the suburbs or more rural areas should also have been aware of possible risk.
In general, we would like the public to report if they see someone acting suspiciously, and you should trust your instincts. You can read more information about hostile vehicle mitigation here.
Drones and small unmanned aircraft
Drones and Uncrewed Aerial Systems are now a common sight in the skies during many events. They have become part of the legitimate infrastructure at events and undoubtedly add to the experience. However, the hostile use of drones should not be overlooked. As drones' popularity and use increases, so does the threat they pose. For more information, visit our Venues and Public Spaces (VaPS) guidance about Countering threats from Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
CBRN threats
Police and other emergency services in the UK frequently deal with incidents involving CBRN-related materials, mostly chemical. While some of these will relate to the accidental release of hazardous substances, others will involve the use of such materials for criminal purposes, for example acid attacks, production of illegal drugs and sometimes the making of explosives.
Although the vast majority of these incidents are not related to terrorism, they demand an equally robust response because of the health risks posed to the public. You can read more about CBRN here and here.
ACT (Action Counters Terrorism)
The ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness e-Learning is a free online course that can help increase your security awareness.
It takes just 45 minutes to complete and is free to do by registering with ProtectUK and creating an account. To access the free e-Learning course, register with ProtectUK.
Brief action cards covering the above subjects can be found on the ProtectUK website.
If you are holding an event and have any concerns or require any advice, please get in touch with your local police force by dialling 101.
Remember that in any emergency, always dial 999.
