Coronation celebrations in Greenwich

Friday 5 May

Talk: The Early History of the National Maritime Museum

11am, 1pm and 3pm | National Maritime Museum | Meet by the Parkside entrance near the café

The National Maritime Museum was opened by the King’s grandfather, George VI, two weeks before his own coronation. He was accompanied by the 11-year old Princess Elizabeth (pictured), one of her earliest official engagements as heir to the throne. Join this 25-minute talk to learn more about the first few years of the National Maritime Museum’s history.

Sunday 7 May

Workshop: Step into the 17th Century

All day | National Maritime Museum

Step back in time to the world of Charles II with three 17th century visitors. An astronomer, cartographer and ropemaker will share the knowledge and traditions of the 1600s, hosting a series of demonstrations in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum.

Kids’ Trails

All day | National Maritime Museum

Pick up a free paper trail from the main entrances for fun family activities.

Workshop: Make your own crown!

10-10.45am | 11.30am-12.15pm | 1-1.45pm | 2.30-3.15pm | 4-4.45pm | National Maritime Museum

Make a crown fit for a king and learn more about the royal history of Greenwich in this free craft workshop. Meet at the Re-Think Space, near the Parkside entrance of the National Maritime Museum

Talk: Queens Consort

10.45am, 12.45pm | Queen’s House

The Queen’s House was built for Anne of Denmark, Queen Consort to James I, and Henrietta Maria, Queen Consort to Charles I. Learn about these and other Queens Consort, including Queen Camilla, in these 20-minute talks.

Workshop: Royal Drawing

11am-12pm, 2-4pm | Queen’s House

Join a drop-in drawing workshop, focusing on the royal portraiture in the Queen’s House, including Queen Anne in her coronation robes.

Talk: Frederick's Barge

11am | National Maritime Museum

Princes travelled in style along the River Thames! Discover more about this royal form of transport and find out more about the barge built for Frederick, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of George II. The talk begins by the barge itself, located on the ground floor of the National Maritime Museum below the Great Map.

Talk: The Court of Henrietta Maria

11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm | Queen’s House

The Queen’s House was completed between 1629 and 1638 for the Queen Consort of Charles I, Henrietta Maria. Learn more about Henrietta Maria’s court, her role as a patron of the arts and her relationship with the Queen’s House.

Talk: RMS Queen Mary

1pm | National Maritime Museum

Learn about the luxury ocean liner and its rival the Normandie. The talk begins near the paddle wheel on the ground floor of the National Maritime Museum.

Talk: The Royal Observatory

1.15pm, 2.30pm | Royal Observatory

Discover the history of the Royal Observatory and find out more about the monarchy's connections with John Harrison and the search for Longitude.

Talk: How the last King Charles did it

3pm | National Maritime Museum

Step back in time to Coronation Day 1661 and see the pomp and pageantry through the eyes of Samuel Pepys. Meet in the Tudor and Stuart Seafarers Gallery.

Picnics and afternoon tea

Enjoy a special afternoon tea at Cutty Sark or indulge in a Coronation Picnic in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum. Featuring homemade finger sandwiches, Earl Grey-infused scones, macaroons, brownies and cupcakes, plus prosecco and a selection of teas, this is a delicious way to spend the bank holiday weekend.

• Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea: £110 for two people (includes entry to Cutty Sark)
• Coronation Picnic: £75 for two people (collect from the Parkside café at the National Maritime Museum)
• Member discounts: enjoy picnics for £67.50 and afternoon tea for £75.

Book now

Members book here

Available Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May. Both the Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea and the Coronation Picnic must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

What's so royal about Royal Greenwich?

Greenwich's royal connections date back to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (the brother of Henry V), who built his home here in the 15th century. The wide expanse of Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed Royal Park.

Greenwich was also the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and in the 17th century the Queen’s House was built for the Queen Consorts of James I and Charles I.

Charles II meanwhile was responsible for the founding of the Royal Observatory, ordering in 1675 that 'a small observatory within our park at Greenwich' should be built.

The National Maritime Museum was opened in 1937 by George VI (Charles III's grandfather), two weeks before his own coronation. He was accompanied by the 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth on one of her first official engagements as heir to the throne. As Queen, Elizabeth II would visit Greenwich numerous times – including in 2012, when she re-opened historic ship Cutty Sark following a major conservation project.