Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Building a legacy with the Coronation of King Charles III

On 6 May 2023, the UK held its first coronation in nearly 70 years. Identity was the government event management agency the Department for Culture, Media and Sport appointed as lead agency for the planning and delivery of the ceremonial events in London.

Key stats

400m

Estimated viewers around the world

7,000

Military personnel, largest military operation in 70 years

2,000

Guests & VIPs seated inside Westminster Abbey

98%

Of all signage was reused or recycled

The challenge

There were six months to bring every plan together, then test, exercise and assure it, for a free, unticketed event where crowd numbers could not be known in advance.

The approach

A 100-person Identity team led the delivery, bringing specialist suppliers from across the events industry under one overall plan. Identity worked inside a London partnership of local authorities, government departments, emergency services and transport partners, coordinated by DCMS and the Greater London Authority.

That partnership’s plan covered crowd management, public safety, signage and public infrastructure. Identity delivered the city dressing, including projection mapping on Big Ben and the ceremony’s focal point, the Coronation Theatre.

Identity ran the V/VIP red carpet arrivals and supported both the military procession of 7,000 personnel and 150 horses and the global broadcast.

Behind the scenes, show elements and logistics ran to second-by-second timing. An expert panel advised on accessibility throughout, and sustainability was built in: 98% of signage was reused or recycled.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla wearing their crowns inside the ornate Gold State Coach during their coronation procession in London.

The result

The Coronation was watched around the world:

400m Global audience
100,000+ attendees lining the streets
2,000 VIPs inside Westminster Abbey

In the UK, an average of 18 million watched on television, and viewing peaked at 20.4 million as the King was crowned just after midday. For Identity, it meant the world was watching the city dressing and ceremonial events its team had delivered.