Long live the king
5 festive affairs to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in Houston, from Brit bashes to cricket matches
This weekend marks one of the biggest events on the international stage: the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom in London's iconic Westminster Abbey.
As this is the British royal family we're talking about, there will be much pomp and pageantry, crowns and scepters and orbs, relics and revelry. Pope Francis even sent pieces of the True Cross to be used in the service, which has a thousand years of heritage behind it.
Many American might shrug at the whole affair — we did fight a war for independence, after all — but for those royal watchers and British expats and Anglophiles in our midst, there are plenty of ways to virtually take part in the festivities across the pond, all weekend long.
Here in Houston, a host of events toast the royal affair. We've rounded up some local, regal happenings to celebrate the coronation.
Friday, May 5
A Coronation Dinner at Central Market
The Central Market Cooking School pulls out all the stops Friday, with a hands-on class where guests will create a meal fit for a king. The menu includes rack of lamb with an Asian marinade and roast potatoes, grilled eggplant with fried onions, and a strawberry and ginger trifle. The cost is $75 and the evening begins at 6:30 pm.
Saturday, May 6
British Isles Coronation Celebration
The British import shop in Rice Village has long been a go-to for anything and everything from or about the U.K., thanks to its wide array of teas and biscuits, meat pies, perfumes, china, woven goods, and other British must-haves. The store's coronation watch party gets underway at 7 am and runs all day, with the coronation and surrounding events playing on a big screen. Guests will be treated to cake and refreshments, and the party is the only one in Texas to be listed on the royal family's official coronation website.
Coronation Bruch and Watch Party at Royal Oaks Country Club
The British American Federation of Texas hosts this event, which kicks off at 9:30 am and includes brunch, mimosas, a toast to the newly crowned King and Queen, and other festivities. Tickets start at $110.
British Consulate-General, Houston: clean-up, cricket, and more
The British Consulate-General, Houston will celebrate His Majesty’s Coronation with a community clean-up (public) and garden party (private) on Saturday, May 6.
The day kicks off with a Buffalo Bayou clean-up at Nau Family Pavilion in coordination with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. The Houston Consulate and some 100 volunteers, including local students, will clean up the Buffalo Bayou. Those unable to assist in the clean-up are encouraged to picnic at the Nau Pavilion to celebrate. Those interested can email thebighelpouthouston@gmail.com for more details.
Later that evening, more than 500 guests local luminaries of business, government, philanthropy, and media will attend the evening’s invitation-only garden party at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. The event will showcase the best of British culture, music, food, sports, per press materials.
Fundraising activities will benefit Mountbatten House, a care home for senior citizens supported by local chapters of the Daughters of the British Empire.
Badgers, batsman, and bowlers: Don your whites
As a follow-up on Saturday May 13, British and Australian ex-pats will face off in the inaugural “Coronation Cup” cricket match at the Moosa Cricket Stadium (5515 Old Massey Ranch Rd.) in Pearland, organized by the British Consulate. The match runs from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Both teams will feature international players who will play on this year’s Major League Cricket rosters in Houston. British and Australian cricketers — of any ability — and badgers are encouraged to email houstonbcg@gmail.com if they wish to don their whites and bowl or bat.
