CORONATION Minister Lucy Frazer declared “no one does pomp and ceremony” like the Brits, as she prepares to throw one of the biggest parties the world has ever seen.
The UK will turn into a sea of red, white and blue as the country unites to celebrate King Charles being crowned in Westminster Abbey on May 6.
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Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday in her first big interview, Ms Frazer said Britain throws the best parties in the world.
“There is so much for the country to look forward to”, the senior minister said.
“No one does pomp and ceremony and glitz and glamour like the UK.
“The coronation itself will be a traditional moment and an exciting celebration of the monarchy on the world stage.”
She added that the event will be “so much more” than golden carriages, jewel-encrusted crowns and ermine cloaks.
It is a moment for the nation to come together to throw big lunches, and volunteer for charities, to mark the new era, she said.
“This is an opportunity for us all to come together wherever we are to celebrate the best of Britain,” Ms Frazer added.
“And I think that is what we are doing in bringing communities together across the country.”
With just a month to go until the big day, preparations are in full swing for the first coronation Britain has held in 70 years.
Thousands will line the streets of London to catch a glimpse of Charles and Camilla as they travel in their Gold State Coach to the ceremony.
Presidents, prime ministers, emperors and royals from around the globe will watch the historic moment in what is expected to be one of the biggest ever gatherings of world leaders.
More than 100,000 are expected to flock to big screens around the country to watch the ceremony.
Over 50,000 street parties will be held across all four corners of the nation as neighbours pop open the fizz and toast our new sovereign during the special bank holiday.
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Hailing the great national moment, Ms Frazer said: “We do so many things in a world-class way.
“What you will see in the coronation is us celebrating a moment in the way that Britain does best.”
But as we prepare to roll out the red carpet for the dazzling array of world leaders, there are two people who have not yet said if they will come — Prince Harry and wife Meghan.
Their relationship with Charles and the rest of the Royal Family has been plunged into the deep freeze since Harry’s tell-all book Spare, and Netflix show, were released.
Asked if the couple would be welcome at Westminster Abbey, Ms Frazer said: “I would like everybody to be celebrating this great moment.”
Sidestepping the thorny issue, she added that invites are “a matter for the Royal Family”.
Ms Frazer insists there is still plenty of time for Brits to get involved in the coronation with just a month to go.
It is 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II took those historic steps along Westminster Abbey for her coronation.
Back then, in 1953, Britain was still reeling from World War Two. Even rationing was still in place.
Today we are in the grip of the worst cost-of-living crisis we have seen in decades.
But Ms Frazer said that just as his mother’s coronation lifted the spirits of the war-weary nation, King Charles’s anointing will boost the public and provide the economy with a much-needed shot in the arm.
“This is going to be a huge boost for tourism”, Ms Frazer declared.
“What we have seen at every single major event — whether that was the Jubilee or royal weddings — is an increase in retail and a boost to the economy.
“And there is an unquantifiable benefit of how people feel in the UK at these major events.”
A week after the coronation the UK will play host to royalty again — this time pop royalty as we hold the Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine.
This “bumper week of celebrations” marks both our proud history and tradition and our modern place in the world as Kyiv’s steadfast ally, the Culture Secretary said.
But as Britain gears up for the great coronation spectacle, quest-ions have been raised about the future of the monarchy.
King Charles wants a slimmed- down one, with fewer working royals and less expense for the taxpayer.
He has also backed research into the monarchy’s historic links with slavery, a move some critics fear will fuel calls for reparations to be paid.
Meanwhile, many Commonwealth countries are considering removing the King as their head of state.
And newly elected SNP leader Humza Yousaf has called for the monarchy to be ditched “within the first five years” if Scotland gets independence.
Hitting back at the Royal Family’s critics, Ms Frazer said the monarchy is “really important”.
“It is the epitome of public service”, she said. “The Royal Family do so much domestically and internationally . . . they do so much to promote good causes.”
And in a cheeky swipe at Mr Yousaf — who has said he will attend the coronation despite his anti-monarchy views — she said: “This is an event for all parts of the UK and I would encourage everybody, in every part of the UK, to take part.”
Crown Jewels light up UK
THE Crown Jewels will be projected on to the Tower of London this autumn in a dazzling spectacle to celebrate the coronation.
The show will then go on a tour of the UK.
And people can lobby to have the glitzy display projected on to their local landmarks which could include the Angel of the North, York Minster and Stonehenge.
The Crown and Coronation show will be a musical exploration of the history of monarchs.
The Tower houses the real jewels, including St Edward’s Crown of 1661.
The monarch traditionally stayed there the night before their coronation.
But it is more famous for its dungeons and torture chambers where hundreds of prisoners perished in Tudor England.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The Coronation marks the beginning of a new chapter in our magnificent national story.
“It promises to be full of memorable experiences for the whole country, with millions of us bearing witness to a moment of history for the UK and the Commonwealth.”
Ms Frazer said she hopes it will give everyone the chance to see “precious centuries-old Royal treasures up close over the next year”.
She added: “With less than a month to go there are countless opportunities for people to be part of it — whether it’s watching the service on a big screen in your community, hosting a Big Lunch for family, friends and neighbours or volunteering in the Big Help Out to give something back.”
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