Orkney marks the King’s Coronation

Many across the county – from schools to care homes, households to local businesses – will be marking the Coronation of King Charles III.

The UK’s first Coronation in more than 70 years will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6 May when the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Orkney’s Lord Lieutenant Elaine Grieve will be a guest of Their Majesties at this historic occasion.

A weekend of celebration is planned across the nation and there’s an extra bank holiday on Monday 8 May to mark the occasion.

Here’s a snapshot of events planned in Orkney:

Smiddybrae residents have been busy making decorations in preparation for the Coronation, some night staff volunteered to help residents make their own fascinators. On Saturday 6 May, the residents and staff are getting spruced up to watch the Coronation on their big screens in the North Hub, while enjoying a finger buffet celebration lunch provided by the kitchen team.

Then on Monday, 8 May 2023, members of the public, friends, carers and family, young or older will be invited to take part in Smiddybrae’s The Big Help Out.

In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, the aim of The Big Help Out is to ask volunteers to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation itself and in the spirit of Queen Elizabeth ll, who herself volunteered her own services to us all.

Those at Smiddybrae will be taking part by holding a Coronation Coffee Information Afternoon for residents and interested members of the community.  Folk are invited to go along and meet some of the staff and residents and to hear about what volunteering with Smiddybrae involves.

They are looking for people who are able volunteer any amount of time, be it a couple of hours once in a while, to people who want to come in regularly.  

Volunteering with Smiddybrae can take many forms and is led by the volunteer, whether it’s a chat with residents over a cuppa to hosting baking or crafting sessions, painting, drawing, going for a walk, facilitating games or doing some gardening. The options are endless!

 The event takes place at 2.30pm on Monday 8 May and the Smiddybrae team look forward to seeing you there.

St Rognvald House is planning to get a projector to share the Coronation on a wide screen and a party with family popping in.

Hamnavoe House is planning to have a ‘posh’ afternoon tea on 6 May and a Royal Garden Party for residents, friends and family. 

Sandwick Community Association is hosting a Royal Garden Party for all parish senior citizens on Sunday 7 – there will be high tea and entertainment. This is viewed as a gift from the association to acknowledge their outstanding importance as the elders of the parish.

The North Ronaldsay Community Association are hosting an indoor street party from 5pm on 6 May. There will be a sweet and savoury bake off and high tea will be provided for free by the Association. Folk are advised that they are welcome to “bring a bottle” to raise a glass to the occasion.

Stenness Community Association have a “Build a Royal Themed Scarecrow” competition. Households are asked to create a scarecrow for showing and judging in their gardens, running from Friday 5 May until Tuesday 9 May. Photos should be sent to the Association’s Facebook page or emailed to stennessca@gmail.com.

There will also be a Coronation celebration in the Stenness hall on Sunday 7 May from 2pm-4pm. The Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band will be there from 2.30pm. There will be activities, homebakes and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to the free event.

On Shapinsay, everyone is invited to the hall at 7.30pm on Saturday 6 May for a Grand Royal Ceilidh Ball – they are asking folk to dust off their ball gowns, suits, tiaras and crowns! There will be music, a bar, raffles and supper. Then again on Sunday 7 May, the community is invited to gather at the school field for a day of fun at the Coronation Big Lunch. Take part in team challenges and enjoy the BBQ food! Donations to the RNLI and Shapinsay Community Association.

Stronsay Junior High School is planning a community event on Friday the 5 May from 1.30pm at the school. Children will run summer fate style stalls including face painting, knock the can, create a crown etc. This will be followed by an afternoon tea with all children, families and community members. Those attending will be asked to make a crown and bring it along for judging during a grand parade to end the day.

The Hope’ Burray and North Ronaldsay Schools will be marking the occasion. On Wednesday 3 May, there will be a Big Help Out event in Burray followed on Thursday 4 May with a community afternoon event, which will be joined by the children of North Ronaldsay. On Friday 5 May, they plan to have an afternoon community event in ‘Hope.

The Council Convener Councillor Graham Bevan said: “Orkney has enjoyed a close relationship with the Royal Family over a significant number of years and for many households in the county this marks a very special occasion.

“Our nation celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year, a feat never before achieved by a British monarch, and then mourned her loss on 8 September 2022. The world’s outpouring of grief at that time was truly testament to a monarch who had served her country and people so well.

“Now it is time for her eldest son, Charles, to take the mantle and demonstrate that he can be a great King during these turbulent times. Charles is no stranger to our shores, most recently with a visit to Hoy in August 2022, when I was fortunate enough to be among those to meet him. I have no doubt that Orkney holds some very special memories for him, given how supportive and engaged he has been of one of our core industries of agriculture.

“We look forward to the King making a return visit to Orkney in the future.

“I would encourage anyone considering taking up volunteering to consider heading along to the event at Smiddybrae. This event is about encouraging people to try volunteering for themselves – something that we know is in abundance in Orkney.

“On behalf of Orkney Islands Council, I thank everyone who has so willingly given time to enable clubs, halls, sports, leisure, events and so many other activities to continue to happen across Orkney. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wealth of community spirited volunteers already giving their time and energy to benefit others within the county.”

Lord Lieutenant Elaine Grieve accompanied Prince Charles, the then Duke of Rothesay as he was known when in Scotland, during his island visit last August.

She said: “What a pleasure it was to show Prince Charles Orkney hospitality at its best. I'm sure it was a day our new King will remember, not just for the folk that he met, or the local produce and entertainment, but we all know the magical invisible draw that our special isles have.

“On Coronation Day I will be in Westminster Abbey as a guest of Their Majesties to witness the Coronation of our new King and Queen.

“Our new King has tirelessly served the country for many years as Prince of Wales. He will, I'm sure, ably address the hopes and aspirations of the British people and will contribute to the creation of a more peaceful world during what we hope will be a long and healthy reign.”

The Union Flag will be flown during Coronation weekend by the Council.

If you want to see what’s on or add in an event head over here: www.orkney.gov.uk/Coronation