Armed Forces to receive coronation medal – here's who is eligible 5th May 2023 at 6:46am

The newly unveiled design of the coronation medal to be given to 400,000 people (Picture: DCMS).

Members of the Armed Forces are among the more than 400,000 people who will receive a coronation medal.

The medal is a gift from the nation to commemorate the coronation for the people who will make the service on Saturday happen, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.

Around 7,000 Armed Forces personnel from across all three services will be carrying out ceremonial duties at the coronation in what is the largest military ceremonial operation for 70 years.

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Everyone actively contributing to and supporting the event will be awarded the medal – this includes police officers, choristers, and ambulance workers, as well as members of the military.

A box containing the coronation medal designed for King Charles III and Queen Camilla's coronation on 6 May (Picture: DCMS).

The medal is also due to be given to serving frontline members of the Armed Forces, police, fire, emergency services and prison services who have completed five full calendar years of service.

Living individual recipients of the George Cross or of the Victoria Cross will also be recognised.

The design includes a double portrait of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the front, with a version of the Royal cypher, a laurel wreath and date of the coronation on the reverse.

The ribbon has red, blue and white vertical stripes – the colours of the Union Flag – and the medal is made of nickel silver and plated in nickel.

The double portrait of Their Majesties was designed by Martin Jennings who also created the design for the official effigy of the King for the new coins issued by the Royal Mint. The medal is made by Worcestershire Medal Service Ltd in Birmingham.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Our Armed Forces and the monarch have a unique bond. Our histories and customs mirror the reigns of Kings and Queens.

"Our deployments are in their names and our allegiance is sworn by each and every one of us.

"The coronation medal will celebrate that bond and allow huge numbers of service personnel to reaffirm that linkage as King Charles is crowned our new monarch."

The coronation medal is made of nickel silver and plated in nickel (Picture: DCMS).

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: "The coronation medal will act as a reminder of the important part each person has played in this moment of history.

"From our Armed Forces who protect our country to the emergency services who care for us at home, alongside those volunteers who are giving up their time to make this event so special, I am delighted that we can mark their contribution to this special day, and for each and every day that they go above and beyond serving their country."

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: "The coronation would not be possible without the dedication and selfless service shown by our armed forces and other public servants.

"This medal is a fitting recognition of their efforts, and a thank you from the nation. It will be worn with pride for years to come."

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "This medal is a symbol of the critical role our emergency services will play in this potentially once in a lifetime opportunity to honour our new King.

"However, it rightly also goes further and recognises not just those who are helping at the coronation, but the heroes across our emergency services, such as the police, fire and rescue services, that go to work every day to protect and support us all."

Watch: Thousands of military personnel take part in early-morning rehearsal for coronation.

Previous medals

Traditionally, monarchs have had their own coronation medal, given to members of the Firm (an informal title for the British Royal Family and its associated institutions), as well as selected members of the Armed Forces, public servants, police and others. 

When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953, there was a medal issued to mark the grand occasion.

This medal was made for more than 120,000 people, from Royals and Government officials to members of the Armed Forces and the police.

The first coronation medal was awarded in 1603 during the reign of King James I.

It featured a bust of the monarch wearing a Roman Emperor’s costume, with the reverse showing a crowned lion rampant holding a beacon and wheat sheaf.