EAST Lothian’s Lord Lieutenant says it will be a “huge privilege” to represent East Lothian at the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

Lord Lieutenant Roderick Urquhart said he expected many people across the county and beyond would get involved in celebrations over the weekend.

He said: “As the coronation of the King and Queen Consort gets ever closer, many people and organisations are now making and finalising plans to bring family, friends and neighbours together to watch this historic coronation, the first since 1953.

“The vast majority of us have never seen a coronation before, so it is an extra special occasion.

“On Sunday, many communities up and down the land will be holding street parties and making the best of the occasion to get together to celebrate.

“Many private parties will also be taking place.

“On Monday, members of the public are invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves, and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

“As Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, it is a huge privilege to have been invited to the coronation and to represent our county. I know that a number of other East Lothian residents have also been invited.

“For all of us attending in Westminster Abbey, it will be such a special, memorable and extraordinary experience.”

Lay a wreath

On Sunday, the Lord Lieutenant will lay a wreath at the Coastal Command memorial next to the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick and observe a minute’s silence at 2pm.

A number of events are set to take place over this weekend to mark the coronation.

In Humbie, there will be two opportunities to take in the coronation celebrations.

On Saturday, the coronation itself will be broadcast in Humbie Hall. The next day, the village hosts a coronation lunch for the Humbie and Fala communities from 12.30pm at the hall.

The event will have a buffet, games and a face painter. There will also be a competition for the best crown, with prizes for under-five, primary school, under-21, over-21 and mature residents age groups. People can RSVP by visiting tinyurl.com/yhjr4f7d

In North Berwick, a coronation celebration takes place at the harbour on Monday.

The Gospel Choir, North Berwick announced on Facebook that it would team up with the town’s pipe band and North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) for the occasion.

The choir said: “North Berwick Pipe Band and The Gospel Choir, North Berwick are excited to come together to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

“Come and join us at 7pm in our beautiful North Berwick Harbour and bring our community together to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

Kenny Miller, chairman of NBCC, confirmed the celebrations at last month’s meeting of the group and said he was “looking forward to it”.

The event is due to take place from 7pm to 8pm, featuring a selection of music.

Family day

Meanwhile, a picnic is held in Dunbar’s Lauderdale Park to celebrate the coronation.

Dunbar Rotary Club is contributing to the national celebrations with a family day.

Music will be provided by Belhaven Hill School Pipe Band, with games, races and a baking stall on offer.

The event takes place from noon to 3pm on Sunday, and anyone attending is asked to bring their own picnic and blanket.

Elsewhere, large screens will be erected in St Mary’s Parish Church in Haddington to allow people to watch the coronation, which begins at 11am on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the church said: “All are warmly invited by the minister and congregation of St Mary’s Kirk to join us, with the chair of Haddington and District Community Council and members, and the president and members of Rotary Haddington, to view the broadcast of the coronation of King Charles III on large screens at St Mary’s Kirk between 9am and 4pm on May 6.”

The coronation will also be screened live at Cockenzie and Port Seton Bowling Club from 11am. All are welcome at the event which features a performance from band Final Product at 8.30pm, followed by bingo and a treasure chest. Last orders will be at 11.45pm.

In Aberlady, a community lunch with various fun activities for all the family is held in the village hall on Saturday from 12.30pm.

Musselburgh Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets are also holding an open day on Saturday to celebrate the coronation.

People are invited to go along to the event from 10am to 4pm.

They can watch the coronation live and see what the cadets in Musselburgh are all about.

There will be a barbecue and refreshments available throughout the day.