Charles and Camilla attended Royal Ascot for the first time since ascending to the throne, paying a heartfelt homage to the Queen and her passion for horses.
The Royal couple visited the athletic event for the first time in their new roles, wishing racegoers success, and ushering in a new era for Ascot.
In a joint foreword for the official programme, they acknowledged Queen Elizabeth‘s “lifelong interest” in the racing event as they rushed onto the Berkshire course in the customary carriage parade.
The pair waved to the crowds who filled the grandstand on the first of five days of racing and were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Wellington in their carriage.
Behind them travelled the Princess Royal with Camilla’s younger sister Annabel Elliot, the Queen’s nephew Sir Ben Elliot, former co-chair of the Conservative Party knighted in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list, and his wife Lady Elliot, daughter of musician Steve Winwood.
The late Queen was a passionate racehorse breeder and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
In memory of her commitment to the event the race – Platinum Jubilee Stakes- has been renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee stakes.
Before the carriage rides old footage from the Queen’s most memorable Royal Ascot moments was played on the big screens and was applauded by the crowds at the end.
Charles and his wife, who have taken on the late monarch’s thoroughbreds, will be carrying on her tradition and have entered a string of horses over the next five days.
The official programme featured Charles and Camilla’s intertwined cyphers on the cover and in their joint foreword said: ‘We are happy in the knowledge that this historic race meeting continues to be a key influence on the global racing and breeding industries.
‘The royal meeting always played a central role in her late majesty Queen Elizabeth’s calendar and the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes will be a most appropriate way to mark this lifelong interest.
‘A photographic exhibition in the Grandstand will also celebrate the late Queen’s close association with Royal Ascot, including images of some of her 24 winners.
‘We are sure that this exhibition will prompt many happy memories.’
They went on to say: ‘Finally, we wish the very best of good fortune to all the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and hardworking stable staff with runners this week.
‘It is a huge and rare achievement to have a runner at Royal Ascot and we very much hope that you all enjoy the experience.’
As millions of people across the world watched, Camilla was crowned Queen.
After Queen Elizabeth II passed away, she assumed the role of Consort to support her husband King Charles III’s rule.
Over the course of more than 50 years, she transitioned from romantic involvement to mistress to finally wife of the King, and the trip culminated with her being formally crowned as the country’s Queen.
In a ceremony today, Camilla was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, which has been reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds.
It is the first time in almost three centuries that an existing crown will be worn, as opposed to a new piece.
Camilla was also anointed in public by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a break with tradition.
The Dean of Westminster poured oil from the ampulla into the coronation spoon, and held the spoon for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As she was anointed the Archbishop said: ‘Be your head anointed with holy oil.
‘Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness; hear our prayer this day for thy servant Camilla, whom in thy name, and with all devotion, we consecrate our Queen.
Camilla was also anointed in public by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a break with tradition
‘Make her strong in faith and love, defend her on every side, and guide her in truth and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
This morning, the official royal website was updated to refer to Camilla as ‘the Queen’ as opposed to the Queen consort.
The coronation ceremony began at 11am, inside Westminster Abbey, and was held by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
At 12pm, King Charles was crowned with the St Edward’s Crown in a lavish ceremony.
He wore crimson robes as he arrived at Westminster Abbey, the site of every coronation for the past nine centuries.
It is tradition for the monarch to wear the solid gold St Edward’s Crown – often dubbed the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels – at the moment of coronation.
Only invited guests were able to watch the ceremony in person with footage broadcast to big screens and television across the world.
While Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was three hours long, the coronation of King Charles is due to last until 1pm.
Up and down the UK, big screens have been placed in public parks so people can gather to watch today’s events unfold.
There are dozens of screenings taking place in every corner of England, but only two each in Wales and Scotland.
Both of the Welsh locations are in Cardiff – at the capital’s castle and its bay – while the Scottish events will take place at Glasgow Cathedral and Edinburgh’s Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens.
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, there’s capacity for 15,000 people to watch the ceremony in public across nine locations.
Those travelling across the country on public transport today will be reminded to ‘mind the gap’ by the King himself.
Charles and Camilla have recorded an announcement which is being played between Friday and Monday at every railway station across the UK and all London Underground stations, industry body the Rail Delivery Group said.
In the message, the King begins by telling passengers: ‘My wife and I wish you and your families a wonderful coronation weekend.’
Camilla then says: ‘Wherever you are travelling, we hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.’
The message concludes with Charles adding: ‘And remember, please mind the gap.’
Prior to Camilla’s coronation, the royal family revised her position title on its website.
She will henceforth be referred to as the “Queen,” dropping the “Queen Consort” moniker.
On her way to being crowned at Westminster Abbey in a historic ceremony is Camilla, who served as the Duchess of Cornwall when Charles was the Prince of Wales.
It was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s “sincere wish” that Camilla would be Charles‘ queen consort when he became king, she said at her Platinum Jubilee.
Camilla’s future title was previously unclear, as she was not called a princess due to Charles’s divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in 1997.
Experts at the time branded Elizabeth’s message ‘extraordinary’ and said it showed her determination to ‘future-proof’ a monarchy spent 70 years serving.
Despite her title of ‘Queen’, Camilla will never be a reigning queen like Elizabeth II was.
Camilla is currently on her way to Westminster Abbey to be crowned (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla has no ruling power and is simply the wife of King Charles (Picture: Getty Images)
Camilla is not a monarch and is instead a queen consort, which is the name given to a wife of a king.
They have no ruling power as they are not blood relatives, and their role is merely to provide support to the monarch.
The queen consort title is given to wives of ruling kings, but in this country the husbands of ruling queens are known as prince consorts rather than kings.
This is because the title of queen is generally considered to be lower in rank than king, which can only ever refer to a reigning monarch. But ‘queen’ can refer either to either a female monarch, or the wife of the king.
Coronation of King Charles III latest
Therefore Prince Philip was known as prince consort so he didn’t outrank her position as queen. He is so far the longest-serving royal consort in history.
As a result of this, Camilla will be mostly known as just Queen Camilla from now onwards, in the same way as Philip was known simply as Prince Philip.
She was previously carefully referred to as Queen Consort Camilla, likely out of respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II and also a nod to the legacy of Diana.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt previously said it was all ‘semantics’.
He said: ‘Despite all of the progress so far, royal officials – perhaps mindful of the Diana legacy – continue to be cautious about the precise nature of Camilla’s new status.
‘They prefer to focus on the fact she’s the consort of a king. The reality is that… Queen Camilla will be crowned at her husband’s coronation.’
Only the second coronation has ever been broadcast live, and the pomp and circumstance-filled event at Westminster Abbey is anticipated to continue for almost two hours.
The elaborate ceremony will be broadcast live to almost 27 million homes, and 11 million people are anticipated to listen via radio.
At around 12:00, the St. Edward’s crown will be placed on the King’s head, making him the 40th monarch.
Celebrities, heads of state, and rulers from all over the world will watch on as the ceremony takes place within the Abbey.
The King listened eagerly to the choir as the national anthem was sung to mark the start of the coronation (Picture: AFP)The St Edward’s Crown will be lifted onto the King as he is crowned this afternoon(Picture: James Veysey/Shutterstock)The Prince and Princess of Wales looked on while their children held hands and enjoyed a sweet moment together(Picture: REUTERS)The King’s purple robe could be seen from the heights of Westminster Abbey as it flowed out behind the monarch(Picture: via REUTERS)The Queen smiled at members of the Royal family as she walked through Westminster Abbey (Picture: Sky)Queen Camilla in her golden laced gown arriving at Westminster Abbey(Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Coronation of King Charles III latest
The king in a long purple velvet robe was escorted through to the Abbey and chatted to the Archbishops as he slowly walked into Westminster (Picture: Sky News)The King dressed in a velvet robe, complete with gold lace looked on nervously as he went past thousands of fans dressed in red, white and blue (Picture: Getty)The King’s procession was flanked by horses and military guards as it headed along Pall Mall (Picture: AFP)
Those invited included actress Dame Emma Thompson, musicians Lionel Richie and Nick Cave, presenters Ant and Dec and actresses Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Joanna Lumley.
Future kings, the Prince of Wales and his son Prince George, who will both play a role in the coronation, were in place and the Princess of Wales arrived with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Duke of Sussex was seated in the third row, two rows behind William, but his wife Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex has remained at home in the US.
The King will become the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church, since William the Conqueror was anointed monarch within its walls on Christmas Day 1066.
Charles and Camilla’s Diamond Jubilee Coach arrived in the midst of a Sovereign’s Escort provided by the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals and Life Guards with their shining breastplates and plumed helmets and led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment band.
The monarch and his wife’s entrance through the west door was heralded by a fanfare from four State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and the abbey congregation stood as one.
A large ceremonial procession was lined up before the King and Queen with representatives of all elements of the nation’s ceremonial and spiritual life.
King Charles looked slightly daunted as he arrived for the coronation(Picture: PA)
There were recipients of Orders of Chivalry and Gallantry, Heralds from the College of Arms in their colourful tunics, senior clergy associated with the monarchy and the glittering coronation regalia carried by leading figures.
Among those gathered was double Olympic Gold medallist Lord Coe, a member of the Order of Companions of Honour, Willie Apiata, New Zealand’s only living Victoria Cross recipient, and Lincolnshire farmer Francis Dymoke the King’s champion carrying the Royal Standard.
St Edward’s Crown, the 17th-century artefact Mr Welby will use to crown Charles, was carried by General Sir Gordon Messenger, Lord High Steward of England.
With their lavish and unwieldy robes, the King and Queen walked single file along the nave of the abbey with Camilla ahead of Charles as the hymn I Was Glad As They Said Unto Me was sung.
At the beginning of the coronation service, a Welsh language piece was sung with the choir, together with Sir Bryn Terfel, singing Kyrie Eleison.
Earlier, the King and Queen made their first appearance of coronation day when they travelled the short distance from their Clarence House home for final preparations at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of York was driven down The Mall in a state car, with parts of the crowd booing as he went past.
Inside the ancient abbey, the church buzzed with noise as the congregation filed in and took their seats hours before the ceremony was due to start.
A smiling Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, in his vivid red clerical robe was seen hurriedly carrying the holy oil for the anointing down the length of the abbey from the altar through the quire, clutching the precious ornate silver vessel in both hands.
The King has turned to each of the four points of the compass and has been recognised by his people as their ‘undoubted King’.
The recognition rite saw King Charles presented to the congregation at the beginning of the service, with the participation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Baroness Amos, Lady Elish Angiolini, and Christopher Finney, Chair of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
Each said in turn: ‘I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King.
‘Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service: are you willing to do the same?’
The congregation and choir replied: ‘God save King Charles.’
Prince George was carrying a corner of his grandfather, the King’s, trailing robes as the royal party made its way into Westminster Abbey.
His siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were earlier seen peering out of a car window as they arrived outside the church.
The King has turned to each of the four points of the compass and has been recognised by his people as their ‘undoubted King’.
The recognition rite saw King Charles presented to the congregation at the beginning of the service, with the participation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Baroness Amos, Lady Elish Angiolini, and Christopher Finney, Chair of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
Each said in turn: ‘I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King.
‘Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service: are you willing to do the same?’
The congregation and choir replied: ‘God save King Charles.’
specially-commissioned red leather-bound Bible has been presented to the King, upon which he swore oaths to govern the people with justice and mercy, and uphold the churches established by law in the United Kingdom.
The formal Presentation of the Bible to the sovereign dates back to the joint Coronation of William III and Mary II in 1689.
For the first time, a preface has been added to the coronation oath in which the Archbishop said the Church of England ‘will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely’.
The Coronation Oath Act of 1688 requires the King to declare during his crowning ceremony that he will maintain the established Anglican Protestant Church, rule according to laws agreed in Parliament, and cause law, justice and mercy to be executed in his judgment.
Each part of the oath was framed as a question to King Charles, and he placed his hand on the Bible as he replied.
King Charles became the first monarch to pray in public at the coronation and his grandson – Prince George – took on a number of special roles for the coronation (Picture: REUTERS)
King Charles has become the first monarch to pray publicly at a coronation – praying for grace to be ‘a blessing to all… of every faith and belief’, and to serve after the pattern of Christ.
A special personal prayer was written for the King to reflect the ‘loving service’ theme of the service, and the words were inspired in part by the popular hymn I Vow To Thee My Country.
He said: ‘God of compassion and mercy whose son was sent not to be served but to serve, give grace that I may find in thy service perfect freedom and in that freedom knowledge of thy truth. Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and belief, that together we may discover the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.’
As he took the Oath, the King said: ‘I, Charles, do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law.’
The King then signed copies of the Oaths, presented by the Lord Chamberlain, while the choir sang.
Award-winning Afrobeats singer, Tiwa Savage has paid a visit to Buckingham palace to commemorate International Women’s Day 2023.
She was among the VIP guests invited for the International Women’s Day reception held at the Buckingham Palace, England.
The mother of one posted a picture of herself and HRH Camilla, Queen Consort, taken in the palace and captioned it, “Proverbs 18:16-17. “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. International Women’s Day Reception at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Queen Consort.”
Only a few weeks ago, Jamie Foxx, an American actor, was seen hanging out with Tiwa Savage.
In a viral video, Tiwa Savage, was seen getting intimate with Jamie Foxx.
The two had joined Leonardo DiCaprio and Edward Norton at the American Vogue party in London (editor of vogue).
Jamie Foxx and Tiwa Savage were spotted dancing together as they had a wild night.
At the Queen Consort’s reception, a famous black advocate for victims of domestic abuse described how she was constantly questioned by a member of the Buckingham Palace household about her “true origins.”
Ngozi Fulani, the CEO of Sistah Space, called the conversation a “violation” and said she will “never forget” her experience at Camilla’s significant speech on violence against women on Tuesday.
When Ms. Fulani replied her organization was situated in Hackney, a family member reportedly disputed her, asking: “No, what region of Africa are YOU from?”
She described the complete alleged chat on Twitter, which she claimed occurred 10 minutes after her arrival and included the following question: “Where are you from?
“Me: ‘Here, UK’. ‘No, but what nationality are you?’ Me: ‘I am born here and am British.’ ‘No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?’ Me: ”My people’, lady, what is this?’
“Oh, I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you’re from.”
Ms Fulani, who founded Sistah Space in 2015 to provide specialist support for African and Caribbean heritage women affected by abuse, wrote: “Mixed feelings about yesterday’s visit to Buckingham Palace.
“10 mins after arriving, a member of staff … approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge. The conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur.”
She thanked Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, and Safe Lives chief executive Suzanne Jacob for their support on the day.
Ms. Reid, who in British history became the first person of color to head a major political party, tweeted that she had also heard the conversation.
I have so much to say about this. Ultimately, this is violence. @Sistah_Space I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m also sadly, unsurprised. To accept wilful erasure & be “dignified” in the face of continued violence is how we are expected to be.
“I was right there. I witnessed this first hand,” she said.
“We were at an event that was supposed to celebrate our work.
“For people like … people like us will never really belong here.”
Responding to messages of support, Ms Fulani wrote: “Standing there in a room packed with people while this violation was taking place was so strange, especially as the event was about violence against women.
“That feeling of not knowing what to do, will NEVER leave me. Almost alone in a room full of advocates.”
She said it was a “struggle to stay in a space where you were violated”.
She expressed her disappointment at being unable to report the incident and said she felt unable to tell Camilla about it.
“There was nobody to report it to. I could’nt (sic) report it to the Queen Consort, plus it was such a shock to me and the other 2 women, that we were stunned to temporary silence,” she wrote.
“I just stood at the edge of the room, smiled & engaged briefly with who spoke to me until I could leave.”
Ms Jacob tweeted it was “a horrible thing to happen, and in a space that should have been nothing but love and celebration” and said she would be raising it with the team who organised for them to be there.
As of right now, Buckingham Palace has refrained from commenting.
Serious issues are raised for the Palace in light of the alleged incident, which comes after the Duchess of Sussex accused an unnamed royal of racism against her unborn son Archie last year.
Meghan, the first mixed-race woman to marry a senior royal in decades, said during an Oprah interview that Harry was warned by a royal, neither the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh, about how dark Archie’s skin tone might be before his birth.
Buckingham Palace has unveiled the new cypher of the Queen Consort, Camilla.
Designed by Prof Ewan Clayton, it combines Camilla’s initial “C” and “R” for Regina – the Latin word for queen.
It will be used by Camillaon personal letterheads, cards and gifts.
Buckingham Palace added that the new symbol will be used on the Queen Consort’s cross which she will lay at the Field of Remembrance on Thursday at Westminster Abbey.
In September, the palace revealed the new cypher to be used by King Charles III which was personally chosen by him, from a range of designs produced by the College of Arms.
King Charles’s cypher will be used by government departments and on state documents and post boxes.
News of the Queen Consort’s cypher comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed an extra bank holiday will take place across the UK to mark the coronation of King Charles III on 8 May, 2023.
King Charles will be be crowned two days earlier and the Queen Consort will also be crowned on the same date in a similar but simpler ceremony.
IMAGE SOURCE,BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Image caption, The cypher was designed by Prof Ewan Clayton
But, there won’t be a sudden change on post boxes.
Almost 70,000 of the current post boxes, about 60% of the total, date from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. But there are still boxes in use from the reign of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V and VI, and the original cyphers remain until boxes need to be replaced.
