2024 Wellness Guide

Mandarin Hotel Hyde Park’s royal afternoon tea with champagne, tea and coronation-themed pasteries being served.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Culture

A Guide to Great Britain’s Coronation Celebrations

By Irene Rawlings
London is buzzing in anticipation of the coronation of King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, taking place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. If your personal invitation hasn’t arrived, here’s how you can still experience the celebrations like a royal.
Interior of elegant and grand dining room at the Ritz London. The Ritz Restaurant is decorated with chandeliers, statues, paintings, and windows overlooking the park outside.

The Ritz London

The Ritz London

The Coronation Ball at the Ritz is the most glamorous ticket in town and includes a Champagne-and-canapé reception, a five-course menu accompanied by a wine pairing in the Michelin-star restaurant, dance the night away to vintage swing and the mellow sound of the BBC Big Band. theritzlondon.com

Royal breakfast with caviar and fruit
Duke’s Hotel

Duke’s Hotel

Hidden away on a quiet cul-de-sac in historic St. James Mayfair just a few minutes from Buckingham Palace, Duke’s Hotel offers the Royal Connoisseur Experience: champagne-and-caviar breakfast; salmon and beef Wellington dinner; by-appointment-only access to traditional tailors, haberdashers, and other elite merchants. dukeshotel.com/coronation-package/

Coronation-themed custom-made pasteries for royal afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

At the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal creates a modern menu inspired by dishes served at coronation banquets throughout the centuries, like Filet of Beef Royale (from the coronation of Henry V in 1413) and Coronation Chicken Tart (from the coronation of King James II in 1685). And, of course, there’s a posh Coronation Afternoon Tea. mandarinoriental.com/en/london/hyde-park

Gatsby tea room at The Beaumont with small dining tables, chairs and a long couch against the wall, paintings, bookshelves, and a grand piano.
The Beaumont

The Beaumont

The Beaumont in Mayfair will be serving gemstone-hued pastries (think rich ruby red and emerald green) inspired by The Crown Jewels. Then, drop by Gatsby’s Room to see an outstanding collection of jewelry by some of London’s hottest contemporary jewelers. beaumontmd.com

Cliveden House’s afternoon tea serving a variety of sweets inspired by flowers that grow in the Kings’ Royal Gardens and savoury treats that use the finest products from Sandringham’s farm.
Cliveden House

Cliveden House

Out in the countryside (40 minutes from London), Cliveden House has an illustrious history of hosting every British monarch since King George I in the 1660s. Afternoon tea offers sweets and savories made from produce grown at Sandringham’s farm (part of the country retreat of the British Royal Family). While here, pop over to Sandringham Estate to view an exhibition of bucolic watercolors by King Charles III. clivedenhouse.co.uk

Exterior of Lygon Arms Hotel, a large historic building with a brick facade and black roof, surrounded by green trees and bushes.
Lygon Arms

Lygon Arms

Book a King and Country package at Lygon Arms in the pretty village of Broadway in the Cotswolds. Opt for the King Charles I Suite (he spent a few nights here in the 1640s). Sleep soundly in the ornate four-poster bed. The suite still features the secret staircase that offered a royal escape route in case of danger. lygonarmshotel.co.uk

Beautifully furnished outdoor tea room with green painted ceiling and walls, colorful tapestry, chandelier, dining table, white orchid plants and many windows facing garden
Prestonfield House

Prestonfield House

HM Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 80th birthday with an afternoon tea at James Thomson's Prestonfield House (dating back to the 17th century) in Edinburgh. You, too, can drink, dine and stay here. Savor a Scotch Old Fashioned made with Royal Lochnagar 12-year-old Single Malt, a favorite whisky of the new monarch. prestonfield.com

Princess and young girl dressed in royal attire standing in front of Dromoland Castle front steps. The young girl has a crown and blue gown on.
Dromoland Castle

Dromoland Castle

In nearby Ireland, Dromoland Castle has imagined a Princess Package for its youngest guests—a day of lessons in deportment and traditional dance, a trip to the spa for hair and nails and culminates with a coronation in the Great Kincora Hall with a crown and certificate, followed by a festively royal afternoon tea. dromoland.ie

Exterior of Floors Castle located in the Scottish countryside. It is a grand castle with turrets, towers and a large central dome, situated in the midst of lush and manicured green gardens with trees and shrubs.
Royal and Dual Castles

Royal and Ducal Castles

Royal and Ducal Castles: An Inspiring Expedition by Geoffrey Kent Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Windsor Castle led by a member of staff who knows all the castle’s secrets. Visit castles and grand country estates as a personal guest of the ducal families who have lived there for centuries. Dine with the Duke of Roxburgh. Play a round of golf. Race vintage cars. Fly fish. Play polo—the sport of kings. $140,0000 per person. abercrombiekent.com

Bird’s eye view of Inveraray Castle situated in the midst of many beautiful, lush, green trees, fields and mountains. The castle is surrounded by a moat with a stone bridge.
Regal Encounters

Regal Encounters

Regal Encounters Travel and yacht expedition specialists Pelorus has opened its big black book of connections: dinner on a superyacht docked in the Thames—opposite the Tower of London; a private polo experience with Prince William’s teammates on the Great Tew estate; a visit to Catacomb Park (the country residence of Anne, Princess Royal) for a meet and greet with the Royal Family. pelorusx.com