It remains possible that Brits could get an extra day off to celebrate King Charles' coronation next year, the Government has said. It had been suggested by sources that the move was unlikely.
However, after MPs called for it, the Prime Minister's spokesperson said "all options remain on the table". It was announced by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening that the coronation of the King and Queen Consort, Camilla, would take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
The Mirror revealed that high level discussions with the Government, looking at factors including clashes with sporting events, the availability of Westminster Abbey and the Archbishop of Canterbury and the likelihood of favourable weather conditions, ministers agreed it was "highly unlikely" there would be any extra time off. But overnight, reports the Mirror, MPs called for a bank holiday.
It could involve moving the existing bank holiday on May 1 to create a three-day weekend around the coronation. A similar move was made earlier this year, moving the late May bank holiday to create the four-day Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend.
Tory former Cabinet minister David Jones told the Daily Mail: "To combine the two events would be welcomed by the entire nation.
"It would make a very special memory for all of us."
His comments were echoed by former Labour frontbencher Khalid Mahmood, who said: "We can move the holiday back to the coronation weekend. We have a unique system with the monarchy and an independent parliament - I would back Britons having a three-day weekend to mark the occasion."
The PM's official spokesman said: “This will be a historic event, celebrated by millions across the country. We are carefully considering plans now that the Palace has confirmed the date. I don’t have the full details for you at this point."
Asked if a bank holiday was possible, the spokesperson replied: “Yes, all options remain on the table to recognise this hugely significant event for the UK.”
Asked if that could include moving the May 1 bank holiday he replied: “We’re considering all options. The date was confirmed at 6pm yesterday so we will update as soon as we can.”
