King Charles III is officially crowned.
For the first time in 70 years, the United Kingdom, Canada and the entire Commonwealth are celebrating a new monarch as 74-year-old Charles has been formally crowned King.
Despite the rain drizzling in London, U.K., people lined the routes of the royal procession to catch a glimpse of the historic moment and the opulence of the royal regalia. Among them were anti-monarchy protestors who were arrested by police.
Following the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla, who was crowned as consort alongside him, climbed into the Gold State Coach to begin their procession back to Buckingham Palace.
While Charles’ coronation had been expected to be a smaller event than Queen Elizabeth’s, the ceremony was certainly still lavish. The coronation itself started with a 5:30 a.m. ET procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among the international dignitaries at the coronation, with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau also in attendance. While U.S. President Joe Biden did not attend, Jill Biden and their granddaughter Finnegan Biden did make it, as did guests like Dame Emma Thompson and French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron.
Who had the best outfit? Take a look and decide for yourself.
The ceremony officially began at 6 a.m. ET, after a procession brought Charles and Camilla from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in a gilded carriage. Crowds gathered down the length of The Mall despite the rain and celebratory band music led the royal couple towards the Abbey.
At Westminster Abbey, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children were in attendance.
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, wore ceremonial dress with both Catherine and Princess Charlotte wearing dresses designed by Alexander McQueen.
Prince George was one of the pages of honour helping to carry the king’s lengthy robe as he walked down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, while Prince Louis sat with his sister and parents in the pews.
Charles was crowned at approximately 7 a.m. ET while in the presence of the Stone of Destiny and other royal regalia. Camilla was crowned moments afterwards.
After Charles was officially crowned, the procession departed the abbey to return to Buckingham Palace where for a salute from the guard and a balcony appearance with the King and his family.
There was also a royal flyby over the palace, though poor weather and low cloud cover forced a scaling back of military jets that had been scheduled to join the helicopters and the Red Arrows, seen below.
The concert to celebrate the coronation is scheduled for Sunday evening.
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