Come and be 'King for a Day' at Government House

The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla is a landmark event, the first for generations.

The event will begin at 11 am London time on Saturday 6 May 2023. This is 8pm Queensland time.

The ceremony itself is expected to last about 2 hours, preceded by a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and followed by a larger procession on the return journey.

Free-to-air television channels in Australia take live feeds from coverage of the event, as do some streaming services and social media platforms. Details of broadcasts will be well-publicised.

The Coronation Concert, at Windsor Castle on the evening of Sunday 7 May, may be well worth staying up for. Well-known faces from the world of rock, pop, and classical music and dance are likely to perform.  The concert will include a performance by the Coronation Choir whose singers will reflect the UK’s diversity.

The crowning of the new King, who is also Queensland's Head of State, is intended as an event for our State to celebrate and enjoy.

Government House in Brisbane will celebrate with a special Open Day on 6 May, with gates opening to the public from 11 am to 3 pm and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Have a bit of fun commemorating this historic day by donning a Government House costume crown, and proceeding down the red carpet to sit upon our 'royal throne' for a photo! 

Selfie opportunities aside, there will be plenty to keep the kids busy, with face painting, tennis, and a scavenger hunt. Follow the clues to explore the Estate and bring your answers to our friendly volunteers in the Information Hub to collect your limited-edition Coronation Coin.

Visitors are welcome inside the historic house, where knowledgeable volunteer guides will be on hand to talk about the history of the house and the constitutional, ceremonial, and community duties of the Governor.

Additionally, guided garden tours led by our Horticultural team will depart from The Queen’s statue at 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. A moderate level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

During the day. visitors will be able to enjoy tours of the gardens and the House including displays dedicated to the King’s links with the State of Queensland, Queensland Governors, and Government House Brisbane.

Spread a picnic blanket on the soft lawns and soak in the atmosphere while you pair a treat from the King of Cakes with a liquid refreshment from the Tim Adams Specialty Coffee van, or enjoy a delicious British-style lunch from London Spuds as you listen to live music from the Brisbane Excelsior band. 

And be sure to stick around for the pomp and ceremony of the local Town Crier's declaration at 1pm.

As one of the Governor's many patronage organisations, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) will also be onsite. 

The Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Doctor Jeannette Young AC PSM, is the representative of the monarch in our State and will attend the coronation on behalf of all Queenslanders.

Queenslanders are also encouraged to organise their own celebrations – individual or community parties, afternoon teas, or coronation ‘watch parties’ for instance – to mark the first coronation in 70 years.

The official Monday holiday in the UK for the coronation has been designated Big Help Out Day - a national day of volunteering. Individuals and community groups have been encouraged to contribute time and effort to community causes on the day as a way of creating a legacy for the event.

Although there’s no public holiday in Queensland, supporting community causes through volunteering would also be an excellent way for Queenslanders to create a legacy for the coronation weekend – or at any time!   

We can look forward to 6 May as a day of spectacle, solemn religious rites, stirring ceremony and stirring music.