King Charles' Coronation Will Be Held on Grandson Archie's 4th Birthday

King Charles III's coronation date is already marked on the royal family calendar for another reason.

Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that the new King will be officially crowned on May 6, 2023 — the same day his grandson Archie Harrison celebrates his 4th birthday.

The coronation date is earlier in the year than widely speculated, as many believed that King Charles would pick June 2 to honor the date of Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953.

"The Coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry," the palace said in a statement, adding that Queen Camilla will be crowned alongside her husband. Keeping with royal tradition, the ceremony will commence at Westminster Abbey in London, where British monarchs have been coronated for the last 900 years.

The coronation marks the second time that a royal milestone falls on a birthday weekend for one of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's young children. 

The Palace said the ceremony would "reflect the monarch's role today and looks towards the future" whilst staying "rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry".

It has still not been confirmed whether there will be a bank holiday to mark the day, although the fact it falls on a weekend might suggest this is unlikely.

The Queen's coronation on 2 June 1953 took three hours with a congregation of 8,000 dignitaries. The event was broadcast live on television, attracting record-breaking audiences around the world.

Back then, thousands lined the streets for a glimpse of the Queen in the gold state coach, which has been used for coronations since George IV.

It is not known whether the coach will be used this time.