New Holidays for King Charles III
By Georg Rehberger. Published 3-May-2023
The United Kingdom has a new king, and Charles III’s coronation on May 6, 2023 has allowed many countries around the world to introduce new bank holidays in his honor.
The United Kingdom celebrates its new king with a special coronation flag.
© iStockphoto.com/rarrarorro
Most parts of the United Kingdom, as well as many countries closely related and bound to the British monarchy, have introduced a bank holiday to celebrate the coronation of Charles III.
Changes in the United Kingdom
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Bank Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
Note: Some parts of the UK do not celebrate the bank holiday, like the Scottish archipelago of Shetland. Businesses will remain open there.
Guernsey
Bank Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
Isle of Man
Bank Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
All holidays on the Isle of Man
Changes in the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of Nations is a collection of 56 sovereign states around the world, most of them former British colonies or dependencies. Here’s how holidays are expected to change in some Commonwealth countries, in alphabetical order:
Australia
Australia observes the King’s Coronation Day on May 6 as a regular working day. Most businesses are open.
Bermuda
Bank Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
Canada
Canada observes the King’s Coronation Day on May 6 as a regular working day. Most businesses are open.
Cayman Islands
Bank Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
All holidays in the Cayman Islands
Gibraltar
Special Coronation Bank Holiday (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
New Zealand
New Zealand observes the King’s Coronation Day on May 6 as a regular working day. Most businesses are open.
Saint Helena
Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
Solomon Islands
Bank Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
All holidays in the Solomon Islands
Turks and Caicos
Public Holiday for the Coronation (May 8)
A day off for the public in honor of His Majesty’s coronation.
Most businesses close.
All holidays in Turks and Caicos
The letters in the new King’s insignia stand for “(C)harles III (R)ex.” Rex is Latin for King.
© iStockphoto.com/stocknshares
Please note that the list in this article is not complete. The process of changing and introducing new holidays with the change of the UK’s monarch is ongoing. You can find an up-to-date list of our holidays here.