'Long Live the King!'
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are crowned in a spectacular ceremony
King Charles and Camilla were finally crowned in a spectacular ceremony after a long wait. This is only the second coronation in British history to be broadcast on television, and the first in 70 years. Here's a rundown of the event's highlights.
Special Feature | 10:42 GMT | 09 May 2023
Long Live Our King - King Charles is wearing The Imperial State Crown, and the Queen is wearing a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown (Getty)
The coronation of King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as queen and king took place at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday. It was the first coronation to take place there since Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned in 1953.
Throughout the ceremony and subsequent reception, the royal family was greeted by enormous crowds. Charles and Camilla rode through Central London in a golden carriage pulled by eight horses as they began their journey to the coronation at Buckingham Palace.
The procession included approximately 200 mounted British military personnel, most of whom belonged to the Household Cavalry Regiment. About a thousand more servicemen and women from the army, navy, and Royal Air Force lined the streets on either side of the route to Westminster Abbey.
At the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, escorted by church officials and a retinue of support staff in red uniforms, they stepped down from their three-ton carriage.
While bells rang outside, the Abbey was filled with trumpets and singing as the guests processed through the nave and past the large choir to their seats for the beginning of the formal ceremony.
Charles began his remarks by saying he has come to the ceremony to "serve, not to be served" and to follow in the footsteps of the "king of kings."
After being declared king several times by the assembled crowd, Charles took several oaths related to his new position.
The most senior clergy member in Britain, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, addressed the congregation, saying, "we are here to crown a king and we crown a king to serve." Later, during the formal anointing ceremony, Welby blessed the oil that would be used on Charles. Charles stripped off his outer robes as the choir resumed singing, then went behind a screen near the altar to be anointed with oil.
In the minutes leading up to his coronation, Charles was given a number of artefacts with deep symbolic meaning, including swords and spurs that dated back centuries. As Charles sat silently on his 700-year-old wooden throne, the heavy crown was placed atop his head and he held two golden rods, one in each hand. In front of a thundering fanfare of trumpets, Archbishop Welby proclaimed, "God Save the King," to which the crowd enthusiastically responded.
Prince William, Charles's son, and the most prominent clergymen in Britain all pledged allegiance to the monarch, and the crowd echoed the sentiment with a resounding "may the king live forever." Shortly thereafter, Camilla was crowned queen, and she and her husband sat in matching chairs as the choir began to sing. Thousands of people lined the route of the procession all morning long, many of them waving British flags as they cheered and sang as Prince Charles rode by in an elaborate carriage.
Aristocrats, celebrities, and political party leaders from all over Britain gathered in Westminster Abbey earlier today. There will be a concert this weekend to celebrate the coronation, and celebrities like Lionel Richie and Katy Perry will be in attendance.
The prime minister of Ukraine and his wife, Olena Zelenska, attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, where the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, read a biblical passage. Also in attendance were several of Sunak's most senior ministers. Former British leaders such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson were also in attendance. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President, was also present.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by hundreds of military personnel in ceremonial uniforms arrayed on the expansive lawn of the ornate garden at the back of the residence upon their return from Westminster Abbey.
The two re-emerged for public scrutiny on the building's expansive balcony overlooking the street below. There were thousands of supporters lining the streets, and they were allowed to get fairly close to the palace's entrance. They crowded the open area in front of the palace, but they were kept back by dozens of police and tall railings.
Helicopters from the British Army, Navy, and Air Force flew overhead as Charles and some of his family members gathered outside. Princes Harry and Andrew were noticeably absent.
Air Force jets roared overhead, leaving a trail of red, white and blue smoke as the rain continued to fall heavily. The King looked around, but he didn't look up like so many of his relatives do; the weight and balance of his new crown made that kind of dramatic movement impossible.
As Charles waved to the crowd below, the British national anthem played again, and he turned and went back inside for an intimate party.
British Monarchy: A History of Service
King Charles and Camilla were finally crowned in a spectacular ceremony after a long wait. This is only the second coronation in British history to be broadcast on television, and the first in 70 years. Here are some
The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla was a momentous occasion that will be remembered for years to come. However, it's interesting to note that coronations have a rich history in the British monarchy, dating back over a thousand years.
The British Monarchy is one of the oldest continuous hereditary monarchies in the world, with a history dating back over a thousand years. The first recorded coronation was that of King Edgar in 973, who was crowned at Bath Abbey. Since then, many monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey, including King William the Conqueror in 1066, King Henry VIII in 1509, and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The coronation ceremony itself is steeped in tradition and symbolism, with various rituals and customs dating back centuries. For example, the monarch is anointed with holy oil as a symbol of their divine right to rule, and the crown they wear is said to represent their authority over the realm.
In addition to its religious significance, the coronation also has political implications. By being crowned, the monarch is officially recognised as the head of state and the supreme authority in the land.
Over the years, coronations have been used to reinforce the legitimacy of the monarchy, particularly during times of political instability or controversy. For example, Queen Elizabeth I was crowned in 1558 in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation, which had led to the breakaway of the Church of England from the Catholic Church.
Similarly, Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838 was seen as a way of restoring confidence in the monarchy after a period of turbulence and uncertainty following the death of her uncle, King William IV.
Despite the rich history of coronations, they have not always gone smoothly. The coronation of King Edward VIII in 1937 was cancelled due to his decision to abdicate the throne in order to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson.
In more recent times, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was a major event that was watched by millions around the world. It was the first coronation to be televised, and many people bought their first television sets specifically to watch the ceremony.
In conclusion, the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla is just the latest chapter in the long and fascinating history of the British monarchy. From its humble beginnings over a thousand years ago, to the grand spectacle of modern coronations, the monarchy has been an enduring symbol of stability and continuity in the face of change and upheaval.
The Ultra-Rich and Highly Influential Friends of the British Monarchy
The British Monarchy is one of the oldest continuous hereditary monarchies in the world, with a history dating back over a thousand years. The first recorded coronation was that of King Edgar in 973, who was crowned at Bath Abbey. Since then, many monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey, including King William the Conqueror in 1066, King Henry VIII in 1509, and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Over the centuries, the monarchs have forged relationships that have withstood the sands of time. Here are some of the
British Monarchy: Interesting Trivia
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having ascended to the throne in 1952. She surpassed the record previously held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years.
The current British monarchy is descended from the House of Windsor, which was established in 1917. Prior to that, the royal family was known as the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The British Monarchy has a long history of pageantry and tradition, including the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the state opening of Parliament, and the trooping of the color, which is an annual ceremony that marks the Queen's official birthday.
The Tower of London, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, has served many purposes over the years, including as a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, and a royal mint.
The British Monarchy has experienced many dramatic events throughout history, including the execution of King Charles I in 1649, the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936, and the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901, was known for her strict moral code and her close relationship with her husband, Prince Albert. She also had nine children and 42 grandchildren, many of whom married into other European royal families.
The Queen's Guard, which is responsible for protecting the monarch and other members of the royal family, is made up of soldiers from five regiments of the British Army: the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, and the Welsh Guards.
The British Monarchy has played a significant role in shaping British history, including during the reigns of monarchs such as Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Victoria. T
he monarchy has also had an impact on the development of the British Empire and its former colonies around the world. The British Monarchy is still an important part of British culture and identity, and the royal family continues to be popular around the world.
More about King Charles' Coronation
King Charles III is officially crowned as the new head of the monarchy, following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last year. See the moment the five-pound crown is placed on his head.
Watch history being made as King Charles III is crowned at Westminster Abbey - 7NEWS Australia