April 27, 2023 – The City of Osijek, in cooperation with the British Embassy, will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, May 6, in the Osijek Archaeological Museum.
The mayor of Osijek, Ivan Radić, and the ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Simon Thomas, held a press conference at the city administration in Osijek. As Lokalni writes, Mayor Radić reminded that King Charles III, when he was still the Prince of Wales, was delighted by Osijek during his visit in 2016, which is why the city administration decided to celebrate his coronation.
Vlado Kos / Pixsell
Main Ceremony
“King Charles III visited the Archaeological Museum, socialized with citizens, and tasted the products of local OPGs on the old town’s Holy Trinity Square. He also rode the Osijek tram from old town Tvrđa to the co-cathedral and got to know the city from the tram. In commemoration of that visit, the main ceremony will be held in the Archaeological Museum”, said the mayor.
He announced that a large screen would be installed on the appropriately decorated Holy Trinity Square in the old town, where citizens could watch the live broadcast of the king’s coronation. As it is the first Saturday of the month when the traditional Antiques Fair takes place near the square, all visitors are invited to round off their morning at the event.
“The Tourist Board of the city of Osijek will prepare biscuits and tea for the citizens, and the “royal tram,” the same one in which King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla rode, will be circling through the city. The passengers on the tram will have a chance to hear the story of the royal family and the king’s great-grandfather, Franz von Teck, who was born in Osijek. They will also see photos of the annual tickets the city transport office made and gifted to the king and queen with a lifetime right to ride Osijek’s trams. I hope that the king and queen will have the opportunity to use it once they come to Osijek again”, said Mayor Radić and added that on the coronation day, the Osijek pedestrian bridge will light up with the colors of the British flag.
British Ambassador Simon Thomas said that on May 6, dignitaries from all over the world will gather in London to attend the new king’s coronation and that celebrations of that moment will be organized worldwide.
Another eastern Croatian city will also celebrate the king’s coronation – Ilok will traditionally send their Traminac wine for the festivities.
Photo of Osijek
“When we were thinking about where we would celebrate the coronation in Croatia, we immediately thought of the Christmas card of the then Prince of Wales, and now the King, with a photo of His Majesty and Queen Camilla in Osijek, taken during their visit in 2016. Out of all the photos from different parts of the world that year, the king chose that particular photo, which means that the visit to Osijek left a deep impression on him. Not only because Osijek is a city with a rich history and promising future but also because here he met people who share some of his passions and priorities in life: sustainability and nature conservation, work for the community, respect for heritage, development of new technologies and investment into young people. But also because the great-grandfather of King Charles III was born in 1837 right here, in Osijek. Therefore, here we are not only among friends but also among family. We are looking forward to celebrating the coronation in Osijek, and we hope that King Charles III will visit the beautiful city on the Drava once again”, said Ambassador Thomas.
1972. Bozidar Kelemenic / Pixsell
King Charles III’s visit to Osijek wasn’t the first royal visit – Queen Elizabeth II visited back in 1972 and had a delightful time herself.
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