THE coronation of King Charles will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey.
To conclude the ceremony event, the new King will be presented with a flypast as he stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
1
What is the meaning of a flypast?
Flypasts are often tied in with Royal or state events such as anniversaries or celebrations – and occasionally funerary or memorial occasions.
In the UK they are regularly featured in public and ceremonial life where they function as a particular kind of aerial salute.
They serve to show respect, display the aircraft, and showcase flying skills.
What aircraft do the RAF use?
The current featured aircraft used by the RAF include:
- The Red Arrows
- 16 Helicopters
- Spitfires (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
- Hurricanes (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
- Avro Lancaster (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
- C47 Dakota (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
- Chipmunk Aircraft (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
- P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
- F-35B Lightning II jets
- RAF transport aircraft
- Envoy IV CC1 aircraft
Will there be a RAF flypast for King Charles’ coronation?
Yes, there will be an RAF flypast for the new King.
The planned schedule for the day will see the coronation of King Charles and the Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey.
The royals will then return to Buckingham Palace where the King will appear on the Palace balcony along with other royals to watch the flypast.
More than 60 aircraft are expected to take part in the six-minute display.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has promised the display will be “spectacular”.
He said: “We can be enormously proud of our armed forces as they honour His Majesty, their new commander-in-chief.”
He continued: “From the procession on The Mall, to the flypast over London, with gun salutes at sea and across the country, it will be a spectacular and fitting tribute and a privilege to take part in for all those involved and watching from afar.”
The flypast will be joined by nearly 400 armed forces personnel who will be on parade to mark the special event.
What time is the flypast for King Charles’ coronation?
The coronation flypast will take place over The Mall and Buckingham Palace at 14:30 pm on Saturday, May 6.
This is subject to weather, serviceability, and operational commitments.
How can I watch the coronation flypast?
King Charles’ coronation will be televised live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
An exact route for the flypast has not been revealed, but airspace restrictions have been confirmed, giving an idea of the planes’ path.
Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the historic event in Surrey will likely be able to do so in areas that include Staines, Walton, Woking and Leatherhead.
There is also a chance the aircraft will be visible over Guilford, Redhill, Godalming, and Farnham, but this is all down to airspace restrictions.