As the world watched the United Kingdom celebrate the momentous coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, more than 600 Aramark team members worked around the clock for months to seamlessly provide essential services to the more than 10,000 military and service personnel involved in the coronation weekend May 6-8, 2023.
The efforts were part of Aramark’s more than 30-year partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) UK, whose members are called to duty for the security of the Royal Family, in addition to other responsibilities.
Aramark provides services to those military personnel throughout the year at several locations in the UK.
“It was a huge privilege to provide such an essential and important service for our military partners,” said Glyn Ingram, Defence and Judicial Sector Director, Aramark UK. “I know all our colleagues were very proud to be able to play their part during such an historic event."
Aramark services began eight weeks ahead of the coronation, with colleagues supporting the King’s Troops at Regents Park, which was used as a forward-mounted base.
In all, teams worked across 15 locations in London and the southeast, including Hyde Park, Westminster Chapel, RAF Northolt, Buckingham Palace, St James Palace, and Whitehall HQ.
On the weekend of the coronation, Aramark prepared and delivered 30,000 meals and 55,000 hydration packs to military personnel. This work included an additional 16,000 enhanced packed meals for military personnel during coronation rehearsals May 2, as well as eight coffee carts located around central London.
In addition to food and beverage services, Aramark team members supported military personnel with tailoring and cobbling, equine management, cleaning and laundry services, retail, and fully equipped marquees (large exhibition tents) to ensure the personnel had everything needed to participate in the event comfortably. Read more in the press release.
Aramark has provided services to the MOD for more than 30 years at several sites, and has in the past participated in many Royal events, including the funeral procession of King Charles III’s mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
By the Numbers: Infographic
