Moment King Charles III is crowned at historic coronation
King Charles III was crowned Saturday at Westminster Abbey in London, in a historic coronation ceremony. (BBC via Reuters)
King Charles III is officially Britain’s reigning monarch.
The eldest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was crowned on Saturday at London’s Westminster Abbey. Beside him was his wife, Queen Camilla.
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The 74-year-old ascended to the throne upon the death of his mother, who passed away in September 2022. The 96-year-old was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Charles was proclaimed Britain’s monarch two days later in an ascension ceremony broadcast for the first time on television.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort traveling in the Diamond Jubilee Coach built in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023, in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms took place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on September 8, 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
"The king was nervous," British royals expert Shannon Felton Spence told Fox News Digital. "He was fiddling with the tassel in front of his robes as he walked down. I think this was unusual to see from him. But he has been thinking about this day for his entire life. He’s thought about every single detail, what means, what it should mean, deeply. He was just a kid when his mom was crowned."
King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their coronation ceremony. (Reuters)
"Camilla looked like a natural," Felton Spence shared. "Prince George looked so grown up and composed. And Kate Middleton looked absolutely bonkers beautiful."
"The mood is spectacular!" Royal expert and journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti told Fox News Digital. "Despite his long preparation for this moment, King Charles looked humbled and even nervous throughout the ceremony, showing just how seriously he takes his role and the awesome weight of the responsibility and service required of him."
Britains King Charles departs following their coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. (REUTERS/Phil Noble/Pool)
"The blend of ancient and modern was also striking," he shared. "The ancient rituals have their roots in the 9th century and were codified in the 14th century in a book called Liber Regalis. They’ve been modified over the centuries and today we saw truly modern touches included as well, especially to reflect the religious and cultural diversity of modern Britain."
The Prince and Princess of Wales arriving at Westminster Abbey. (Andrew Milligan/Pool via REUTERS)
"Both the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte wore Alexander McQueen both ivory silk crêpe dresses including a rose (for England), a thistle (for Scotland), a daffodil (for Wales) and shamrock (for Ireland) embroidered within, wonderfully touching those in each country," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital.
The Prince of Wale is seen here with her daughter Princess Charlotte and son Prince Louis. (Yui Mok/Pool via REUTERS)
In honor of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, her daughter-in-law wore her pearl and diamond earrings as "a sentimental touch," Fordwich noted.
The coronation ceremony dates back to the medieval period, and much of it remains unchanged. Westminster Abbey has been the setting of the ritual since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066. A hundred heads of states attended with the U.S. maintaining its streak of a president never attending a British royal coronation. First lady Jill Biden was in attendance.
The ceremony was one of many faiths and languages to signify the new king as a unifying figure in the U.K. For the first time, a monarch was crowned in a ceremony that included the active participation of faiths other than the Church of England.
Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh leaders took part in various parts of the coronation. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office described it as an act of Christian worship that reflected contemporary society. The ceremony also featured female bishops for the first time, as well as hymns and prayers sung in Welsh, Scottish, Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, as well as English.
"The king wanted the ceremony to reflect the whole of the U.K. and be representative of many backgrounds and faiths," said Felton Spence. "He wants to set the tone right from the start."
Service personnel from Regiments of the Household Division holding the Freedom of the City of London seen arriving inside Westminster Abbey. The set-piece coronation is the first in Britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised. (Aaron Chown/Getty Images.)
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"The service contains new elements that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society," Archbishop Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Church of England, previously said in a statement. "It is my prayer that all who share in this service, whether they are of faith or no faith, will find ancient wisdom and new hope that brings inspiration and joy."
The coronation ceremony reflected Charles’ efforts to show that the 1,000-year-old monarchy is still relevant in a country that is much more diverse than it was when his mother was crowned 70 years ago. While the king is the supreme governor of the Church of England, the latest census showed that less than half of the population now describe themselves as Christian.
Built around the theme "Called to Serve," the coronation service began with one of the youngest members of the congregation — a Chapel Royal chorister. The moment was meant to underscore the importance of young people in the world today, according to Lambeth Palace, the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Princess Royal arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, central London. (Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
The service also included many historic elements underscoring the ancient traditions through which power has been passed on to new kings and queens throughout the centuries. In the most sacred part of the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury anointed the king with oil, consecrating him and setting him apart from his subjects.
A screen covered Charles, and the anointing wasn't visible on television or to most people in the abbey, except for a few senior members of the clergy. It was then followed by a presentation of the coronation regalia, as well as sacred objects, like the orb and scepter, that symbolize the monarch’s power and responsibilities.
Prince William, the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, pledged his loyalty to his father. This act is known as the Homage of Royal Blood.
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As the new king was crowned, the refrain "God Save the King" echoed through the abbey. After Charles was crowned, the traditional homage of the peers was replaced by an "homage of the people," in which those present at the abbey, as well as those watching on television, were invited to affirm their allegiance to the king.
Camilla was then anointed, in a form similar to that of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1937. However, the 75-year-old's anointing wasn't hidden behind a screen.
Just before Charles headed off in the Gold State Coach for a procession on the streets of London, the leaders and representatives of faith communities delivered a greeting in unison. The greeting wasn't amplified out of respect for those who are observing the Jewish Sabbath and are barred from using electrical devices, Lambeth Palace confirmed.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of their coronation, Buckingham Palace, 1953. (The Print Collector/Getty Images)
The coronation, a more modest event in comparison to the late queen’s, featured a trimmed-down procession route to Westminster Abbey. Queen Elizabeth’s coronation was the first to be televised 70 years ago.
The Gold State Coach weighs 8,800 pounds and is pulled by eight horses. The gilded coach is so heavy that it can only be moved at a walking pace. Past monarchs have described their rides in the now 260-year-old carriage as "horrible" and "distressing" with William IV — known as the Sailor King — comparing it to "being aboard a ship tossing in a rough sea."
The Gold State Coach, at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace. (Dominic Lipinski - Pool / Getty Images)
The expected pomp and pageantry, which dates back more than 1,000 years, was on full display with royal regalia, including five symbolic swords, two scepters and the Sovereign’s Ring, designed with a sapphire and a ruby cross set in diamonds.
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St. Edward's Crown is made of solid gold. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Charles was crowned king with the St. Edward’s Crown, the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels viewed by millions of people every year at the Tower of London. It features a 4.9-pound sold gold frame set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnets, topazes and tourmalines, as well as a purple velvet cap and ermine band. It was worn by Elizabeth during her coronation and has been refitted for her son. At the end of the ceremony, he switched to the lighter Imperial State Crown for the procession back to Buckingham Palace.
The Imperial State Crown (pictured here) is lighter in comparison to St. Edward's Crown. ( TOBY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Camilla wore Queen Mary’s Crown.
The ceremony also featured its own emoji, reflecting the first British crowning of the social media era.
Britains Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, walks outside Westminster Abbey. ( REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
While there were as many as 2,800 guests, one member of the British royal family was noticeably absent. Prince Harry attended the event without his wife Meghan Markle, who stayed behind in California with the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The coronation date also falls on Archie’s fourth birthday. It is believed Harry’s visit will be brief, with the Duke of Sussex heading swiftly back to the couple’s home in Montecito.
Meghan Markle, an American actress, became the Duchess of Sussex when she married Prince Harry, King Charles' younger son, in 2018. She did not attend the coronation. (DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have publicly detailed their struggles with royal life. The king’s younger son and the former American actress stepped back as senior royals in 2020.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Princess Eugenie of York traveling in the state car during the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Harry, 38, did not take part in the service. Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew, also had no role in the ceremony. The Duke of York gave up royal duties after revelations of his friendship with late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 63-year-old was stripped of his military titles and patronages.
"Prince Harry sat next to Princess Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank," said Felton Spence. "He is very close with Eugenie and Jack. They are living in Frogmore Cottage now, the former U.K. home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
Prince Harry arrives for the coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey. (Andy Stenning/Pool via REUTERS)
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The former Prince Charles (center) is seen here in the royal box at Westminster Abbey in between his grandmother the Queen Mother (left) and his aunt Princess Margaret Rose during his mother's coronation ceremony. (Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
While Charles waited decades to become king, his long apprenticeship has been viewed favorably by several royal experts, noting it has given him more training and experience to draw upon. His mother was just 25 when she was crowned queen in 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II is seen here placing a coronet on the head of her son, the former Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1969. (Central Press/Getty Image)
As Prince of Wales, he founded charities, including one that helps young people get jobs, education and training. He started an organic food company and dabbled in urban planning. Charles was also an early advocate for conservation and environmental protection.
The biggest controversy of Charles' life was the breakdown of his marriage to Princess Diana amid stories about his longtime relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles, the woman who became his second wife and queen.
The former Prince Charles was married to Princess Diana from 1981 until 1996. (Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Charles and Diana were married from 1981 until 1996. The glamorous mother of William and Harry passed away in 1997 at age 36. Charles and Camilla married in 2005. It took years for Camilla to win many members of the public over with her charity work, sense of humor and down-to-earth style.
The ceremony was shorter in comparison to Elizabeth’s – about two hours, instead of three.
The festivities is expected to be watched by millions. But not everyone was in a celebratory mood. Republican protesters gathered outside to holler " Not my king." They have said the institution stands for privilege and inequality, in a country of deepening poverty and fraying social ties. A handful were arrested.
Thousands of people from across the globe camped overnight along a 1.3-mile route that the king and his wife traveled to reach the abbey.
Britains King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince George, Annabel Elliot, sister of Queen Camilla, and Fiona Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony following their coronation ceremony in London. (Reuters)
There is no official estimate of how much the coronation costs. Some reports estimated it could top 100 million pounds, or $125 million. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said some estimates were "more fanciful than others" and that the true cost would be shared later. Charles has said he intends to reduce the number of working royals and cut expenses.
The celebration concluded with the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s aerobatics team, wowing the crowds as they flew past and left red, white and blue trails in the sky.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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