LONDON, England — The BBC reported on Sunday, May 7, 2023, that over 14 million people tuned in to watch the coronation of King Charles III, marking the beginning of a new era in British monarchy.
The ceremony, which took place on Saturday, was the first coronation held in the country in 70 years.
At its peak, the main BBC One channel drew 13.4 million viewers, with an average of 11.9 million throughout the day’s coverage. A signed version on BBC Two peaked at 1.7 million viewers, averaging at 1.4 million, according to a statement from the public broadcaster.
The event, which was only the second coronation to be televised, marked the first time the ceremony was shown in color.
However, despite the event’s historic nature, the overall viewing figures were notably lower than previous major royal occasions.
Last year, the state funeral of King Charles III’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, garnered one of the largest television audiences in modern UK history.
An estimated 26.2 million people watched the event on TV sets alone, with a peak of 28 million viewers, including 18.5 million on the BBC.
In 2011, over 24 million viewers tuned in to watch the wedding of Prince William, King Charles III’s son, on BBC terrestrial television.
A royal spectator, Mary Thompson, commented on the significance of the event, stating, “This is a new chapter for the British monarchy, and it’s amazing to be part of history as we witness King Charles III ascend the throne.”
While the viewing numbers for King Charles III’s coronation may not have matched those of previous royal events, it’s clear that millions of people around the UK and the world remain captivated by the British monarchy and the traditions that accompany it.
