<b>Follow the latest news from the </b><a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/05/08/king-charles-coronation-concert-live/"><b>coronation of King Charles</b></a><b> here</b> <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/us/" target="_blank">US</a> first lady Jill Biden was a surprise guest at Downing Street for the Big Lunch on Sunday, as thousands of <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/05/06/king-charles-and-queen-camilla-wave-to-crowds-from-buckingham-palace-balcony/" target="_blank">coronation</a> street parties for members of the public took place across Britain. <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/rishi-sunak" target="_blank">Prime Minister Rishi Sunak</a> and his wife opened the door to volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and youth groups in Downing Street for a lunch to mark the coronation. Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty hosted the event on Sunday. Mr Sunak and Mrs Biden greeted each other with a kiss on both cheeks. They stood chatting as many invited guests took photos before taking seats right in front of the No 10 door. “Come rain or shine, thousands of friends and neighbours are coming together this weekend to put up the bunting, pour the tea and cut the cake at street parties and community events across the UK,” Mr Sunak said. More than a million people signed up after being urged to get involved in the community gathering, which is one of the centrepieces of the coronation bank holiday weekend. Those looking to take part can use an interactive tool to find the nearest <a href="https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch/the-big-lunch-map" target="_blank">Big Lunch location available in their area</a>. Bakers and baking business owners across the country put their skills to the test creating cakes to celebrate the coronation. Organisers have also created an information pack for guests which outlines conversation pointers for those who may be affected by social nerves. The “conversation menu” suggests asking fellow residents whether they have met a member of the British royal family, or what their favourite way is to spend a bank holiday. The “menu” also includes jokes to break the ice. So far about 7,000 street parties and other events have been registered, and organisers are hoping that more will be added. More than 17.2 million people took part in Big Lunch events last June as they celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee. A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said big lunches will take place from Saturday to Monday “in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship”. On Sunday, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie attended a big lunch in Cranleigh, Surrey, while Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence visited a community street party in Swindon, Wiltshire. Sunday is forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far for some parts of the UK, a change after the heavy downpours that threatened to dampen celebrations on Saturday. A highs of 23°C is forecast for the East Midlands and down to London, beating the high of 21.2°C on April 17. Some showers are predicted across eastern England and Scotland, but the vast majority of the country can expect sunny spells throughout the day, the UK's Met Office said.
