Celebrate the Coronation in Exeter
Published: 5 May 2023
People can celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III in Exeter this weekend with a number of events taking place across the city.
Saturday sees the last day of a free exhibition at Exeter’s historic Guildhall, highlighting the city’s close links with the monarchy.
On display will be memorabilia, regalia and photos from the Guildhall ‘vaults’ that have been donated and collected from various Royal visits over the years. The items are rarely seen by the public.
The collection includes signed portraits of King Charles III as well as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Guildhall Mace Sergeants will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the various items. The exhibition will run from 10.30am until 4pm at the City’s Council-run venue in Exeter’s High Street.
On Sunday, Princesshay holds a Coronation Big Lunch in the heart of the city.
The event is taking place the day after the official Coronation at Westminster Abbey in London.
The Big Lunch, an Eden Project Communities Initiative, brings people together to share friendship, food and fun.
From 11am until 3pm on Sunday the Princesshay turf will be laid with picnic benches to encourage visitors to stay a while and enjoy a celebratory event in the centre of Exeter.
There will be Live Lindy in the City performances by the South West Lindy Hoppers, accompanied by the sensational Hummingbirds trio, guaranteed to get feet tapping! People are invited to get up and dance.
There’s family entertainment courtesy of children’s entertainer Paul Zee, plus Changing Faces will be at the ready with her brushes to create an array of fabulous face painted designs.
People can leave their mark on the Pentagon regal-themed giant colouring wall then check out the incredible ‘Our Place’ Market stalls showcasing the finest local crafts, handmade goods, and local produce.
Those attending can opt to bring a picnic, or treat themselves to a tasty take-out from one of the fabulous cafes and restaurants in Princesshay.
Plus, check out the Busy Bees family drop-in spot providing a welcome break to shopping this Spring/Summer (located nearby to Princesshay Square)- with a collection of activity sheets, children’s activities and games just waiting to be explored. There’s also a chance to enter the Golden Ticket Trail in conjunction with Devon’s Top Attractions.
To find out more visit the Princesshay website at www.princesshay.co.uk/coronation/
There is also a special service being held at Exeter Cathedral on Sunday 7 May to celebrate the Coronation. To book free tickets, please visit the Cathedral website at https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on/events/coronation-service-of-celebration/
Exeter has a rich connection to royalty and the many visits to the city are the topic of a new Red Coat Guided Tour.
On Monday 8 May there will be a free tour exploring Royal Visits to the city, from the time of Alfred the Great in the 9th Century right up until present day. Those who can’t make Monday’s tour can book onto the final tour on Saturday 17 June.
Tours start at 11.15am from the Hooker Statue and need to be booked in advance on the Red Coat page of the Corn Exchange website at https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/book-tickets/exeters-red-coat-guided-tours/
And the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Queen Street, Exeter, will also be commemorating the big occasion with a display of selected objects which relate to former kings and queens. Running from now until 18 June, the display includes Honiton lace, a needlework made from scraps of Queen Charlotte’s coronation dress in 1761 and souvenirs from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. There is also an unusual loving cup created for the coronation of Edward VIII and a photograph of Exeter’s celebrations when his brother George VI ultimately took the throne.
To accompany this, the uniform worn by Sir Eric Dancer while serving as the Lord Lieutenant of Devon will be on display in the Courtyard. A lord lieutenant is the British monarch’s personal representative in each area of the United Kingdom.
To find out about all these events and lots more, including live music, go to the Visit Exeter website at https://www.visitexeter.com/inspire-me/blog/read/2023/04/celebrate-the-coronation-in-exeter-b617