As we approach King Charles III’s Coronation on the 6th May, plans for street parties and garden gatherings are coming into shape. We’ve found the very best Coronation party decorations and outdoor tableware for garden parties over the bank holiday weekend.
A royal coronation, a bank holiday weekend and (hopefully) plenty of spring sunshine – could there be a better excuse to get out into our gardens and spend time with family and friends?
To mark His Majesty the King’s Coronation on Saturday 6th May, businesses across the world, big and small, have created all kinds of limited edition products for the big day.
Happily, the official Coronation Emblem reflects King Charles’ love of nature and depicts plants and flowers from the UK’s four nations – so items featuring it are perfect for garden parties.
We’ve found the very best Coronation party decorations for al fresco celebrations, from beautiful crockery pieces and pre-packed hampers to Union Flag paper chains. Whether you’re planning an all-out party with lawn games, music and dancing, or a relaxed afternoon enjoying finger food and sparkling wine, these beautiful pieces will give your celebration a special touch.
*We’ve avoided single-use plastic and throwaway items in favour of high-quality, long-lasting pieces where possible.
Here are a few suggestions of coronation garden events
Our favourite Coronation party decorations
Coronation crockery
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Crockerywhite-61473a8.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
There’s no shortage of Coronation-themed crockery available at the moment, but our three favourite collections are from the iconic British brands Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater and Spode. The selection includes everything from tea pots to sugar bowls and even biscuit barrels, so you can collect matching items to use in your home for years to come.
For sweet illustrations in muted colours, choose Cath Kidston’s Royal London collection featuring King Charles and Queen Elizabeth, or opt for Emma Bridgewater’s crockery for bright, bold designs. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with Spode’s classic Coronation collection in timeless blue.
Browse the full collections:
Cupcake cases, cake toppers & paper chains
- Buy cupcake cases from Lakeland (£2.99)
- Buy cupcake toppers from Lakeland (£2.99)
- Buy paper chains from Baker Ross (£4.95)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Unionjackwhite-0c4f785.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
No royal celebration is complete without a few Union Flags in sight. As you’d expect, you can find countless Coronation party decorations out there in red, white and blue, but we’ve picked these three pieces to get your al fresco bash off to a great start.
In fact, preparing these decorations could provide a great opportunity to get family and friends involved in some Coronation festivities. Bake cupcakes in the charming paper cases and finish them with the flag toppers, and string up the Union Flag paper chains to set the scene before guests arrive.
Coronation paper cups
- Buy navy cups from The Works (£2.00)
- Buy green cups from John Lewis (£3.50)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Papercupswhite-da87c43.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
If you don’t want to risk disaster by carrying delicate glassware out into the garden, you could grab some of these pretty paper cups.
Rather than buy one of the many sets of Coronation paper cups emblazoned with the Union Flag, opt for one of these designs to embrace a more elegant look. They’d be ideal for kids, but the designs are tasteful enough to suit adults too.
Coronation cushions
- Buy floral cushion from Whistlefish (£16.95)
- Buy embroidered crown cushion from M&S (£22.50)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Cushionswhite-e4d5ee2.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Far from throwaway items designed to be enjoyed for a day, these beautiful bolster cushions are unique pieces you’ll be able to use and admire in your home for years to come. The Coronation theme is subtle enough for the cushions to fit in with your other homeware, whilst reminding you of your bank holiday celebrations.
For garden parties, you can make sure your guests are comfortable by adding these pretty cushions to outdoor chairs and benches. Just remember to bring them inside at the end of the day!
Coronation paper napkins
- Buy napkins from Amazon (£3.99), Lakeland (£4.49)
- Buy the paper plates (£4.49) and recyclable tablecloth (£6.99)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/20-Talking-Tables-Coronation-Paper-Napkins-d3d53b6.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Whether you’re serving up canapes, barbecued treats or a themed Coronation cake, you’ll need a stash of napkins to hand out among your guests. These ones stood out to us when we were searching online, thanks to their unusual look. Steering away from the standard Union Flag, the makers have used red, white and blue to create a charming crown motif.
The napkins are made with water-based inks and are completely recyclable – along with their packaging – so don’t forget to collect them up once your guests have left.
King Charles III Coronation mug
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/King-Charles-III-Coronation-Mug-2-c32a4d0.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
If you’re after something a little more subtle, why not go for this pretty Coronation mug? Reflecting King Charles’ love of the natural world, it features a tangle of delicate green plants.
The makers have created a whole collection of tableware to mark the Coronation, so why not complete the set and treat your guests to the matching Coronation tea and biscuits?
You can also buy a matching tea towel, cushion cover and tote bag in the same green design. Or, if you want an annual reminder of the 2023 Coronation, buy the matching Christmas tree bauble.
Coronation vases
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Coronation-vases-5a0816d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Plant cuttings would make for sweet and sustainable Coronation party decorations, so to go the extra mile you could decorate your outdoor table with these subtle ceramic vases from This Is Nessie.
As both vase designs are fairly small in size, you could stock up on a few of each to mix and match foraged plants among place settings and food platters. You could even add them to any outdoor side tables you have around the garden.
Party Like Royalty bunting
- Buy now from Whistlefish (£6.99), Amazon (£7.99)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/CR-109-Bunting-Party-Like-Royalty--Whistlefish-9072769.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
As a sustainable alternative to plastic banners, this paper lettering gets a big tick from us, and we love that it’s made with FSC-certified materials. While the message makes it perfect for stringing up amongst other Coronation party decorations, it could also work well for birthdays and other celebrations over the coming years.
You get two banners in a pack. If you want to complement them with other outdoor decorations, see our favourite outdoor bunting for the bank holiday weekend.
Coronation candle
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Coronation-candle-04766bf.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
For party plans stretching into the evening, why not add some ambience with one of these pretty Coronation candles from Proper Goose? The design on the outside incorporates the official event emblem, circled with the UK’s four national flowers. While we love the green and pink colouring, you can also buy the jar in blue, black and blue and red, and they’re all available in three different scents.
The hand-poured candle itself is made from natural wax using rapeseed, soya and beeswax.
There’s also the option to add a gold-foiled gift box to your order, so it would make a wonderful gift for anyone hosting a Coronation bash.
Treat stand bus
- Buy now from Whistlefish (£18.99)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/CR-106-Treat-Stand-Bus--Whistlefish-ccf44b9.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"\"")
If you’re planning on serving up buffet foods or little cakes, consider bringing a flavour of the capital city with this sweet London bus food stand. It arrives flat packed and both the card and its packaging is made with FSC-certified materials.
As the treat stand doesn’t mention the Coronation specifically, you could pack it away in a drawer and bring it out again for other themed parties in the future.
Slate Coronation platter
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Slate-Coronation-Platter-a8ea40d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Special platters like this make great Coronation party decorations, and will remind you of the day for years to come.
This one is made from natural slate and features the event’s official emblem. It’s 30cm across – perfect for protecting your table from cup marks and hot plates.
To complete the set, couple the platter with its matching coasters.
Coronation hampers
- Buy M&S’s Royal Afternoon Tea Hamper (£55.00)
- Buy M&S’s Celebration Hamper (£120.00)
- Buy Cartwright & Butler’s Coronation Hamper (£160.00)
- Buy Biscuiteers’ Coronation Hamper (£145.00)
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Coronation-Celebration-Hamper-6a47849.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
A Coronation-themed hamper is a great option to save yourself the trouble of preparing food yourself – and inject a bit of luxury into proceedings. Luckily, lots of iconic brands have created magnificent Coronation hampers to celebrate the big day, so you won’t be stuck for choice.
Some of our favourites include the £55 M&S Royal Afternoon Tea Hamper, which comes with limited edition tea, ‘King Colin the Caterpillar’ cakes, plates, napkins and other goodies in a grey wicker basket. Upgrade to the £120 Celebration Hamper to get savoury treats, prosecco, flags and bunting too.
You can always rely on Cartwright & Butler to sell luxurious drinks and snacks. The brand’s wicker Coronation Celebration Hamper comes with coffee, tea and a bottle of Moët & Chandon, as well as treats like chutney and fruit cake.
Revellers with a sweet tooth need look no further than Biscuiteers for a delicious spread. The wicker Coronation Celebration Hamper includes a selection of goodies like lemon biscuits, macarons and prosecco, as well as a special edition tea towel to mark the occasion. Browse Biscuiteers’ other Coronation-themed treats for individual packs.
Why not select some limited edition treats for your guests?
Fortnum & Mason has launched its Coronation Collection, which includes tea and biscuits in vibrant, beautifully designed tins.
Or, if you’re looking for a special tipple, buy a bottle or two of Kocktail’s The Crown Martini, which combines Hepple gin with dry vermouth, elderflower liqueur, rhubarb, cucumber and rose tea.
!["Kocktail]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2023/04/Kocktail-Crown-Martini-426d7c3.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556" "\"Kocktail")
Looking for more Coronation party decorations to use in the garden? See our round-up of the best bunting you can buy right now.