Want to celebrate the Coronation in style? Falstaff reveals some of the ways to do this – from street parties and drinks, to royal meals for dogs.
The Coronation of King Charles III on May 6 will draw the attention of the world to the UK, with searches for London hotels for the Coronation weekend jumping by more than 4,000 per cent, according to Expedia Group, owner of brands like Expedia and hotels.com. While some Brits are looking to escape the flags, the crowds and even the royal pies, some of the best hotel rooms are being snapped up by Americans, as well as travellers from Canada, Germany, France and Australia.
Aside from hotels, there are tons of experiences and products which, in one way or another, all form part of the Coronation celebrations. Falstaff takes a closer look at some.
In London and other cities and towns, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and many more will be decorated with Union flags. This also goes for The Langham in London, but there´s more than only decorations: guests will be able to enjoy celebratory food and drink for the occasion, and there’ll even be horse-drawn carriage rides around Regent’s Park from the hotel.
The hotel’s Fit For A King afternoon tea will be served in Palm Court from May 3 to 8, with delicacies inspired by Royal favourites, including finger sandwiches featuring Scottish smoked salmon, Coronation chicken, and Classic cucumber, cream cheese and chives. These will be followed by a Westcombe cheddar scone with tomato chutney, traditional sweet scones, and traditional desserts such as sherry trifle and Victoria sponge reimagined into contemporary pastries. Cocktails incorporating the King’s favourite Laphroaig whisky with Chambord, pineapple and lemon will be served, too.
The Langham’s traditional British pub, The Wigmore, will have a Take This Waltz Coronation cocktail, inspired by a classic English milk punch, and named after the King’s favourite song by Leonard Cohen.
The Montague Kitchen & Lounge at the Hyatt Regency The Churchill in Marylebone offers a Coronation set menu until May 31. Executive Chef Carlo Alberto Martino has been inspired by some of King Charles´ favourite foods, such as barley risotto with field mushroom and salt marsh lamb rump. Those who want more may be interested in the ‘Sleep Like a King’ package of The Churchill, including one night in a Regency Suite, a bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast, lounge access, and the aforesaid Coronation menu at the restaurant.
Want to avoid hotels and stay in a luxury home? Onefinestay has some beautiful houses you can book for the Coronation weekend, check to see the availability of locations like ‘Cornwall Gardens III’ in South Kensington: three bedrooms and a decked balcony – you can even watch the flypast from there. As of April 28, there are more free homes at Onefinestay, which is now part of the Accor group and has grown to become the luxury version of AirBnB, including concierge services for many of their curated homes and villas.
If you like to treat yourself to something special, why not head over to the Bollinger Burlington Bar in Mayfair? Champagne Bollinger is launching an Afternoon Treat Menu at the venue, the delicacies created in collaboration with patisserie chef Didier Merveilleux: mini peach and vanilla tart, mini strawberry choux craquelin, and passion yuzu macaroon, which will be paired with a glass of Bollinger’s signature Special Cuvée. The menu will be served on tableware from Thomas Goode & Co., the preferred purveyor of luxury goods to the Royal Household.
Visitors to the Bollinger Burlington Bar will also be able to view the first commissioned portrait of His Majesty King Charles III. The portrait is showcased exclusively in the bar’s window and on a collector’s edition menu, available throughout the Coronation period. During this time, guests will also be able to take a look at the magnificent Coronation installations in the Arcade and Champagne Bollinger’s historical Royal Warrant certifications.
There are many different ways to celebrate the Coronation in London, with one of them a street party in the courtyard of The American´s Bar at The Stafford, with music, outdoor games and a selection of British party food. The St James’s hotel is just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and has long been a favoured destination of the Royal Family. The Coronation procession will pass close by, and the RAF flypast passes right over the courtyard of the hotel’s famed American Bar, making it an excellent location to celebrate the occasion. Food stalls will include an Oyster Bar, Seasonal Salad Bar, The Stafford Burger, Fish Goujons & Chips, Traditional Hog Roast, Homemade Doughnuts and Candy Floss.
Falstaff has already given its opinion regarding the best sparkling wines for the Coronation, but if you would like to treat yourself to a non-alcoholic fizz, the limited edition of Luscombe´s Rose & Cherry Bubbly is tempting. Made with organic rose and cherries, sweetened with muscat grape, and finished with lemons from Sicily and spring water from (of course!) Devon, this is more than just a substitute for alcoholic beverages. Luscombe was awarded a Royal Warrant in 2021 and took inspiration from the rose in the Coronation emblem when creating the fizz.
Are non-alcoholic drinks not for you? Stay calm and celebrate with the Cove Coronation Cocktail, made with Devon potato vodka, damson liqueur and Luscombe´s English Apple Juice. If you do not find the time to buy all the ingredients, Devon Cove has a cocktail kit ready for the occasion. Don´t worry if it is too late for the Coronation weekend: you will be allowed to use it later.
You could also go for the Adnams Coronation Gin, a limited run of 1000 bottles. Adnams Head Distiller John McCarthy selected botanicals evocative of an afternoon tea in an English garden, such as juniper, angelica, fennel seeds and rosemary (and English Breakfast Tea, of course). For a truly royal serve, add Indian Tonic Water, ice, fresh bay leaf and a sliver of cucumber.
Of course, not only human revellers are allowed to join in the celebrations: there are also suitable products for dogs. Hug, a producer of ready-made meals for cats and dogs, has created a limited-edition Coronation Chicken dish for dogs. With this, dogs across the nation can celebrate in royal style; the recipe is made with British chicken, a selection of fresh vegetables and sprinkled with dried apricots – an essential ingredient for the traditional Coronation Chicken recipe.
