What’s the weather going to be like for the King’s coronation and how will it compare to the Queen’s?

British people most certainly like to discuss the weather, and this is not a myth. I can’t tell you how many times I have been at events/gatherings where the subject of the weather has come up (and no, it is generally not me who starts up the conversation discussing the forecast for the day). 

I am sure King Charles, the royal family, his guests and aides have been anxiously looking at the weather forecast in the weeks leading up to his coronation. At present, the BBC are suggesting that there will be light rain and a gentle breeze. However, as guests start to arrive for the coronation ceremony, rain is increasing from a 62% chance of rain at 8am to a 70% chance at 10am. 

Although it certainly looks like an umbrella will be needed for the coronation, King Charles can take some comfort from the fact that his own mother and grandfather did not have good weather for their own coronations back in 1953 and 1937 According to The Met Office, the weather for the coronation day of Queen Elizabeth 11 was “A mostly cloudy day with rain or showers. It goes on to say that there was “A gentle to moderate north-westerly breeze and that the “maximum temperature was well below average for early June.”

As for the coronation of King Charles’s grandfather, King George VI,  it also took place in May, May 12, 1937, to be precise, and also did not benefit from good weather According to The Times, “It was a damp day on May 12, 1937 under grey skies and bouts of rain, and it was mainly cool. The article goes on to say that “Although the day was largely overcast, the sun broke out in time for the royal coaches leaving Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey but afterwards the clouds and rain returned.”

King Charles could actually be pleased if it rains on his coronation as he might consider it lucky in the same way that rain is considered lucky for weddings. Apparently, according to Hindu traditions, rain on your wedding is lucky because it means that your wedding will last. 

Lets just hope he and his guests have plenty of umbrellas just in case the heavens decide to open as they arrive and depart from the coronation ceremony…