Adjoa Andoh, star of Bridgerton, was one of the ITV commentators covering the King’s Coronation. During the show, he referred to the balcony of Buckingham Palace as being “terribly white.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla were formally crowned on Saturday, May 6, at Westminster Abbey, where celebrities like Katy Perry, Dame Emma Thompson, Ant McPartlin, and Declan Donnelly were present.
Adjoa, 60, rose to fame in recent years for her portrayal of revered doyenne Lady Agatha Danbury in the television series Bridgerton. She recently reprised the character for the prequel spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which is set in London during the Regency era.
As the world watched the grand, royal proceedings, the actress was commentating on the day alongside several other presenters, including I’m A Celebrity… South Africa star Myleene Klass, 45.
At one point, the Doctor Who and Casualty star compared the sight of the royal family waving at the crowds from the famous balcony at the Palace to the guests who were in attendance at Westminster Abbey.
‘There is a bit of me that we’ve gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to a terribly white balcony. I was very struck by that,’ she said.
Adjoa expressed her excitement on Instagram over being a part of the presenting team (Picture: ITV)King Charles and Queen Camilla wore their crowns as they waved at the crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Adjoa continued: ‘I am also looking at those younger generations and thinking, “What are the nuances that they will inhabit as they grow?” Nuances that Charles has exhibited, from a teenager into early 20s young man.’
On Instagram, Adjoa celebrated being a part of the presenting team for ITV at the Coronation, sharing selfies of herself with Sathnam Sanghera and Sir Trevor McDonald.
Adjoa reprises her role as Lady Danbury in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Picture: Nick Wall/Netflix)
‘@sathnamsanghera, Sir Trevor MacDonald & me – hanging out as part of the ITV Coronation commentary team.. how the world turns..,’ she wrote in the caption.
She later posted a photo of herself with Myleene, stating: ‘What a privilege to be witness to such an historic event at such close quarters – very moving ♥️.’
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On the day of the Coronation, Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman was heard saying on live radio that the event was like ‘Tory Christmas’, after comedian Jack Whitehall said it was like ‘Tory Glastonbury’.
Another celebrity to share his observations of the Coronation in a different form was Great British Bake Off presenter Noel Fielding, who created a painting of Prince Harry at the spectacle, dubbing him the ‘lonely prince’.
In light of being crowned at Westminster Abbey and other events, King Charles and Queen Camilla had a very busy weekend.
Even after their celebrity-studded event on Sunday night, which featured performances by Olly Murs, Take That, and Nicole Scherzinger, they still had time to stop by American Idol for a quick “cheerio.”
Luke Bryan, Ed Sheeran, and Alanis Morissette were brought in to fill in for Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who regularly serve as judges on the US singing competition. Katy Perry and Lionel Richie took a brief break from their roles to perform at the Coronation Concert.
While at Windsor Castle for the festivities, Katy, 38, and Lionel, 73, gave an update in a filmed message to their American Idol fans, before they were joined by King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75.
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‘We’re trying to figure out what can we do to bring something different to the show?’ the All Night Long singer said, before appearing to become flustered as the royal couple came into view alongside his fellow judge.
The King joked about Lionel doing this ‘all night long’, before asking: ‘I just wanted to check how long you’ll be using this room for?’
The royal couple made time in their busy schedule to drop by (Picture: ABC/Backgrid)Katy delivered a powerful performance at the Coronation Concert (Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The King and Queen praised the duo on their ‘brilliant’ and ‘fantastic’ performances at the concert, while the Queen Consort turned to the Teenage Dream singer to tell her: ‘Loved your frock.’
Meanwhile, after Katy asked if they were ‘making too much noise’, Lionel added: ‘We understand there’s a party.’
‘You’ve heard about that?’ King Charles responded, as the Endless Love singer responded: ‘Well you’re throwing the party right next door.’
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Lionel had the crowds dancing away (Picture: Arthur Edwards/The Sun via AP/Pool)
He promised that as soon as he and Katy were finished, they’d be heading over to join the royals at the celebration.
As the Queen and King walked away, Katy looked in awe as she curtsied, before telling them: ‘God bless you.’
She was sweetly congratulated on her role in the Coronation Concert by her doting fiancé Orlando Bloom, who wrote: ‘Immensely proud of you my love. You always bring the light.’
Katy was the penultimate performer of the night, belting out her hits Roar and Firework, much to the delight of Princess Charlotte in particular.
Firework was dedicated to the King ‘and the work that we get to do together with the British Asian Trust and their Children’s Protection Fund’, the popstar said.
For the most dramatic portion of the liturgy on Saturday at Westminster Abbey in London, Charles was concealed from view.
The Archbishop of Canterbury anointed Charles on his head, breast, and hands in accordance with the Church of England’s ritual after the Dean of Westminster applied holy oil to the Coronation Spoon from the Ampulla, a gold eagle-shaped flask.
The 12th-century, silver-gilt spoon is the oldest object used in coronations. In the background, the Choir of Westminster Abbey sang the anthemic “Zadok the Priest” by George Frideric Handel, which was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727 and performed at every British coronation since.
Once he re-emerged, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St. Edward’s Crown upon Charles III’s head. It was the only time Charles will ever wear St. Edward’s Crown, which is reserved for the coronation of a new monarch; the crown was made for the new King’s namesake, Charles II, in 1661.
After crowning Charles, Welby shouted: “God Save the King.” Those in attendance repeated the words.
Soon after, Camilla was also crowned. Like her husband, she was anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury – this time in full view of the audience – before having Queen Mary’s Crown placed on her head.
Music underpinned the entire celebration, in keeping with history. Each stage was marked by either a grand choral work, an ethereal motet, an extravagant organ composition or an evocative melody, all performed by some of the most accomplished singers and musicians in the world.
King Charles and Queen Camilla entered the abbey to the strains of “I was glad,” the stirring coronation anthem written by Hubert Parry for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and sung at all coronations since then.
But the old was blended with the new; Charles had asked Andrew Lloyd Webber – whose music is more familiar to audiences in the West End than congregations in Westminster Abbey – to write a Coronation Anthem, “Make a Joyful Noise,” which played after Camilla was enthroned.
And this event featured the first ever appearance by a gospel choir at a coronation; dressed in resplendent white, the Ascension Choir performed ‘Alleluia’ just before the Archbishop’s sermon.
Thousands of people had packed into Westminster Abbey.
Decked in a teal cape and cap with gold detailing, a woman in blue commanded attention as she wielded an important object of the coronation regalia – the Sword of Offering or the Jewelled Sword, before and after the investiture, when it was used. But who is she?
Penny Mordaunt is a Conservative lawmaker in the United Kingdom, and has been since 2010.
She was involved in the ceremony because, as the current Leader of the House of Commons, she is also the Lord President of the Privy Council – a body formed of senior politicians who act as the monarch’s official advisers.
The council’s president is involved in a variety of royal ceremonies, acting as a symbolic bridge between the King or Queen and the country’s elected officials. Mordaunt spoke at the Proclamation of King Charles, two days after the Queen’s death.
Queen Camilla was a regal sight in ivory, silver and gold. But who was she wearing?
Unsurprisingly, it was a British designer, Bruce Oldfield, who she has a longstanding relationship with.
Simple, tailored and cut from Peau de Soie, a silk fabric with a dull luster finish, her coronation dress was more akin to a coat dress with an embroidered underskirt as opposed to a traditional dress.
Arriving at Westminster Abbey before the service, her dress was protected by the crimson velvet and ermine Robe of State that was originally made for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.
Peeping out beneath her dress were shoes in the same silk as her clothing, made by British designer Elliot Zed.
Never one to disappoint at royal events, Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, again stole the show during segments of the coronation ceremony.
Keen-eyed viewers may have noticed the 5-year-old yawning, sitting between his mother, the Princess of Wales, and sister Princess Charlotte, but then pulling a disappearing act from the service.
It was thought the young royal might leave early, but luckily for fans, he returned before the end of the service.
For those who don’t remember, Louis gained global infamy during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, where he was captured throwing a tantrum and covering his ears while screaming during the flypast.
Meanwhile, there was widespread speculation before Saturday as to whether Prince Harry would be at his father’s coronation.
The Duke of Sussex attended the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, sitting in the third row.
Wearing a morning suit with his military medals, Harry arrived alongside his uncles, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, and two of his cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Prince Harry attended without his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who reportedly stayed back in the US with their children on the account of Archie’s fourth birthday.
The coronation marked the first time the prince publicly met members of his family since the release of his memoir, “Spare.”
After it ended, he was seen talking and smiling with his cousins amidst a downpour, before he took a car on his own.
He did not appear with members of the royal family to greet the public from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Saturday afternoon – a flagship part of royal events.
CNN understands that Prince Harry did not receive an invitation to join the family for this balcony moment, which featured a slimmed-down flypast by the Royal Air Force. Prince Andrew wasn’t present either.
The weather did not favor King Charles – and while crowds seemed unperturbed by the rain, it did alter plans for the traditional Royal Air Force flypast.
The display was formed only of helicopters and the colorful Red Arrows, and not the expected Typhoons, Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers.
But crowds instead enjoyed not one but two appearances on the balcony by the new King and Queen, who provided an encore after seemingly waving goodbye to supporters.
That wrapped up an eventful day, which had drawn thousands onto London’s streets.
A military flypast over Buckingham Palace that had been highly anticipated has been curtailed.
The Red Arrows aerobatic display team and a variety of helicopters will now make up the formation due to poor weather, according to the Ministry of Defence.
After a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the King and Queen were to be crowned, and a fly-past was organised to commemorate the occasion.
The royal couple was anticipated to view the flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The display over The Mall and Buckingham Palace was originally meant to last for six minutes, but the scaled-down version will last for less than half of that time.
Now, the MoD say it would last for two minutes and 30 seconds.
There had been fears all week that the display could be cancelled completely due to poor weather.
RAF Red Arrows take off from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire(Picture: Cpl Phil Dye/MOD/SWNS)Crowds wearing rain ponchos in the grandstand opposite Buckingham Palace(Picture: PA)Soggy scenes in Windsor for the coronation(Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)
Royal fans got soggy throughout the day as they awaited a glimpse of the Coronation procession.
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Those who camped were left drenched in a series of showers.
The Queen’s own Coronation, 70 years ago on 2 June 1953, was hit by cool temperatures and torrential rain, with crowds huddled under umbrellas and raincoats, in scenes much like today.
And her Golden Jubilee was also hit with heavy rain, with the flotilla almost a washout – though as one would expect, the Queen carried on regardless.
Over 18 million people tuned in to see the King’s Coronation, according to the viewership statistics that have been released.
Crowds flocked to the streets to see history being made as King Charles III and Queen Camilla were formally crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, it was the second coronation event for the British royal family to ever be broadcast on television.
The overall number of individuals who decided to watch the BBC’s coverage of the spectacle was announced in a statement by Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer at the BBC.
‘The BBC brought people across the UK together to share a once in a generation event with over 14 million watching the King being crowned live,’ she said.
‘I’m proud of the unique and special role the BBC plays in delivering audiences moments of such huge historical significance and the celebrations continue with our Coronation Concert tonight.’
In a breakdown of the figures, it was outlined that on BBC One, the Coronation was watched by a peak of 13.4m and an average audience of 11.9m.
Over on BBC Two, a peak of 1.7m and an average of 1.4m people watched the signed coverage of the ceremony, bringing a total figure of more than 14m overall for the broadcaster.
Over on ITV, an average of 2.1m people watched the Coronation on ITV1 from 8.30 to 10.45am.
According to the broadcaster, an average of 3.3m viewers were watching on ITV1 between 10.45am and 1pm, which decreased to 2.9 viewers between 1pm and 3pm.
Meanwhile, 55,000 viewers watched ITV3’s British sign language coverage between 10.45am and 1pm, while ITVX garnered 1.5m streams of its The Coronation programme.
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Audience measurement firm Barb announced on Twitter: ‘The average audience for the King’s Coronation service at Westminster Abbey (11:00 – 12:59) was 18.8m across 11 channels and services.
‘Reach was 22.4m, a share of 89%. Viewing peaked at 20.4m at 12:02 as the King was crowned.’
Last year, more than 29m people in the UK watched the state funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth II, with a peak of 19.5m viewers on BBC One, 5.3 on ITV and a peak of 1.8m on Sky.
In comparison, it was claimed that the Euro 2020 match between England and Italy in 2021 brought in a gigantic peak of 31.8m viewers.
The 2022 Strictly Come Dancing final saw a drop in its ratings when compared to the previous year, as an average of 9.2m and a peak of 9.7m viewers saw wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin dance his way to victory for the Glitterball Trophy on the BBC.
In 2018, it was claimed that 18m people in the UK watched Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, with a peak audience of 13.2m on the BBC.
It was reported that the wedding received more than a billion viewers worldwide, while it was claimed that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials garnering approximately 162m viewers across the globe.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children arrived among the final attendees for today’s historic ceremony.
Louis gave everyone a cautious wave as the family’s car drove up in front of Westminster Hall, looking a little overwhelmed.
His sister Charlotte then eased any anxieties he may have had, as she confidently took his hand as the pair walked in.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte clasped hands ahead of the ceremony (Picture: Reuters)Prince Louis struggled to sit still at some points in the ceremony (Picture: PA)
Prince Louis shifted in his seat during the ceremony and, as any five-year-old would, seemed to get distracted at times.
During the first half of the ceremony, he could be seen letting out a big yawn. At one point, he took the opportunity to excitedly point out something of interest to Charlotte.
King Charles was then humbled by his grandson who, mere moments after the monarch was crowned, let out a large yawn in response.
During the ceremony, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, gave a sentimental nod to tradition with her outfit of a white dress with a blue robe.
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Meanwhile Prince George was seen wearing his Page of Honour red ceremonial uniform, Charlotte chose a white dress with a white cape and Louis donned a dark blue and black button-up uniform.
Nine-year-old Prince George, as a future King, is playing an important role in the coronation today.
He was named as one the pages of honour of the ceremony, and forms part of the procession through Westminster Abbey.
He has also helped hold the robes of his grandfather Charles during the two-and-a-half hour ceremony.
Afterwards he will sit in a carriage behind the King and Queen Consort with his siblings and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Kate previously said she was happy for her oldest son to participate in the ceremony as long as he was not the subject of ‘overwhelming scrutiny’.
Princess Charlotte, who is William and Kate’s only daughter, turned eight on Tuesday.
Despite being third in line to the throne, she is playing only a small role in the coronation.
After watching her grandfather be crowned King, she will accompany her siblings in the procession from the church after the ceremony.
She is then likely to join her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Prince Louis, 5, is the youngest of William and Kate’s three children.
Due to his young age he will not have a large role in the coronation, but is expected to join his family in the procession and on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
It is not the youngsters’ first experience of a royal carriage procession, with the trio waving to crowds from a landau during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.
Huge crowds have gathered to watch the royal procession – viewing areas were full by 8.30am – with thousands more watching on big screens across the country.
Others had arrived to the coronation ceremony earlier – including Prince Harry.
Charles and Camilla, the future king and queen, have departed Buckingham Palace and are making their way to Westminster Abbey, where they will be installed.
Their majesties departed the palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for the brief trip across London, guarded by The Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry.
The King and Camilla turned out of the Palace and walked down the Mall to the cheers of the crowd.
Royal fans had been waiting for days to see the King and despite the rain that started to fall as the couple headed down the Mall didn’t let it dampen their spirits.
The Diamond Jubilee state coach is the most modern of the royal carriages and has electric windows and air conditioning.
The coach was originally meant to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday, but its construction was delayed.
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)Queen Camilla wore a fantastic white jacket with gold embellishing as she embodied the lavish sentiments of the coronation in her attire (Picture: PA)The King waved to the crowds as he headed down the Mall (Picture: REUTERS)Huge crowds have been waiting patiently for days to get the best spot of the coronation (Picture: Sky News)A light bit of rain didn’t let spirits down (Picture: Sky News)The carriage was pulled by six horses as it left Buckingham Palace (Picture: Sky News)The King looked on nervously in the moments before the biggest moment of his life (Picture: Sky)
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The air-conditioned carriage will be the setting for the King and Camilla as they make their trip towards Westminster Abbey (Picture: REUTERS)The King and Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace earlier this morning (Picture: REUTERS)
Instead, it was made to mark 60 years of her reign in 2012. The coach is more than 16 feet (five metres) long and weighs more than three tons, needing six horses to pull it.
The King’s Guard turned out the forecourt and gave a Royal Salute as The King, The Queen Consort and other Members of the Royal family also left the palace.
The trip is less than a mile, and the route will be filled with pomp and grandeur.
The 33-minute journey to Westminster Abbey began with the tri-service Guard of Honour outside Buckingham Palace’s gates giving a royal salute, as the King and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Coach first emerged, and the national anthem was played by a military band.
Huge Union flags and others from Commonwealth nations flew from poles in The Mall and Charles and Camilla’s route was lined by guardsmen in their distinctive red tunics and bearskins.
The Sovereign’s Escort was led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment band, 48 horses and musicians with two drum horses Atlas and Apollo leading the way, playing eight marches along the route.
Following were four divisions from the Household Cavalry with the King’s coach in the middle – two from the Blues and Royals taking the lead and Life Guards behind the carriage with the farriers carrying their axes at the rear.
Crowds had been building up in the capital since dawn with the streets around the procession route – The Mall, Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square – thronged with people.
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.
Princess Anne defends idea of working royals upholding the monarchy
Members of the Royal Family, including Anne, Princess Royal, and Prince Edward, the recently anointed Duke of Edinburgh, took their seats before to their arrival.
While several royals were dressed in traditional regalia, Prince Harry was wearing a regular suit.
So, why is this?
Why isn’t Prince Harry wearing a military uniform today?
Prince Harry now wears civilian dress at official events – such as the morning suit he is wearing at today’s coronation.
It is tradition for working royals to wear military attire at relevant events – like what Prince Edward and Princess Anne were wearing.
However, The Duke of Sussex is no longer a working member of the Royal Family.
Harry and wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex famously left ‘The Firm’ in 2020 in a split dubbed ‘Megxit.’ They quit their duties as working royals and moved to California, followed by a series of public tiffs with the Royal Family, including allegations of racism made in the Oprah Winfrey interview and Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare.
They no longer work on behalf of the monarch or hold royal patronages.
Harry is still allowed to wear medals he earned during his time in the military.
Prince Harry is there for his dad’s big day.
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As seen on his suit today, Harry has an Afghanistan Service Medal and a Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medal.
He also wears the KCVO Star, representing the Royal Victorian Order, which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch of the Commonwealth.
Graham Smith, the CEO of Republic, may be seen being held together with other demonstrators wearing ‘Not My King’ t-shirts in video.
According to the group, police detained six protestors, including Mr. Smith, as they unloaded placards close to the route of the Coronation parade.
Republic posted photos of officers taking details from them on Twitter.
“So much for the right to peaceful protest,” the group said, adding the officers would not give the reasons for their arrest and confirmed their CEO was among them.
Matt Turnbull, one of those arrested, said the straps holding the placards had been “misconstrued” as something that could be used for locking on.
“To be honest we were never going to be allowed to be a visible force here – they knew we were coming, and they were going to find a way to stop this,” he told the BBC.
The BBC later saw Mr Turnbull being led away in handcuffs.
The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment but has not confirmed the number of those detained.
New legislation passed this week made it illegal to prepare to lock-on to things like street furniture.
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said they would have an “extremely low threshold” for protests during coronation celebrations, adding that demonstrators should expect “swift action”.
Republic said hundreds of their placards had been seized and questioned: “Is this democracy?”
“Some ask why we’re protesting. It’s because we want to use the coronation to change the debate about the monarchy and show that we’re not a nation of royalists,” the campaign group wrote.
The number of people at the anti-monarchy protest near Trafalgar Square in central London is growing, with the crowds bursting into chants of “Not my King” and “Free Graham Smith”.
The protest has been arranged near the route of the Coronation procession, where thousands have gathered to watch the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey ahead of the ceremony this afternoon.
Around 13 Just Stop Oil protesters appear to have been been arrested on the Mall, with a large group from the climate change campaign group seen in handcuffs.
Just Stop Oil has said five demonstrators were also arrested at Downing Street.
A spokeswoman for the group said their plan was “only to display T-shirts and flags”, adding: “This is a dystopian nightmare.”
Non-profit campaign group Human Rights Watch said the arrests were “something you would expect to see in Moscow not London”.
“The reports of people being arrested for peacefully protesting the coronation are incredibly alarming”, its UK director Yasmine Ahmed said in a statement.
The Archbishop of Canterbury crowned the King with St. Edward’s Crown.
In nearly 90 years, Britain has crowned a new King for the first time.
Charles III arrived at Westminster Abbey, the location of every coronation for the previous nine centuries, wearing crimson robes made for the previous monarch, his grandfather George VI.
The King and Queen travelled 1.4 miles from Buckingham Palace on the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was created for his late mother Elizabeth II. Thousands of people braved the rain to cheer them on.
The two-hour ceremony, steeped in ancient tradition but embracing 21st century values, culminated with the placing of the magnificent St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head.
As the longest-serving heir to the throne in history finally fulfilled his destiny, the 2,200-strong congregation – including dignitaries from 200 countries, 100 heads of state, as well as senior MPs, armed forces personnel and community and charity champions – shouted out: ‘God save the King!’
His wife, Queen Camilla, was invested alongside him. She will wear Queen Mary’s Crown, with the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond replaced by three from the late Queen’s personal collection. The three most recent queen consorts all had crowns specially made for their coronations.
King Charles III arrived wearing the Robe of State, made of crimson velvet and worn by King George VI at his Coronation in 1937 (Picture: PA)
Although a less lavish affair than his mother’s, the event is still the military’s largest ceremonial operation since Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation.
Some 9,000 servicemen and women have been deployed, with 7,000 of these performing ceremonial and supporting roles.
The Archbishop of Canterbury told Charles ‘we crown a King to serve’ during his coronation sermon.
Mr Welby spoke of how ‘Jesus Christ was anointed not to be served, but to serve’ – adding: ‘The weight of the task given you today, Your Majesties, is only bearable by the spirit of God.’
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The Archbishop also spoke of the King’s priorities as monarch, including ‘the way we nurture and encourage the young, in the conservation of the natural world’.
In a new element to the coronation service, Charles highlighted the ‘Called to Serve’ theme of the ceremony’s prayers when he was greeted by 14-year-old Samuel Strachan, the longest-serving chorister of the choir of the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.
The chorister, who attends the City of London School, welcomed the monarch in the name of the ‘King of Kings’ – a reference to Jesus Christ.
King Charles replied: ‘In his name, and after his example, I come not to be served, but to serve.’
The ceremony has five main elements: the Recognition; the Oath; the Anointing; the Investiture and Crowning; and the Enthronement and Homage, as well as the Queen’s coronation.
‘Good save King Charles’ rang out four times from the congregation during the Recognition, as the King turned to the points of the compass – east, south, west and north – and was presented to his people.
Before the King took the Oath – making a succession of promises, including to maintain in the UK the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law – the archbishop delivered a preface to Charles’s declaration – another first.
He told the congregation the Church of England, which is headed by the King, will seek to foster an environment where ‘people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely’ – echoing the words of the late Queen and Charles.
The most sacred part of the ritual is now underway.
The King sits on the Coronation Chair to receive the anointing after having his ceremonial robe removed. It serves to highlight the sovereign’s spiritual stature as the leader of the Church of England.
The King is hidden from view behind a screen that has been set up around the chair.
What the anointing involves
The archbishop is pouring special oil from the Ampulla – a gold flask – on to the Coronation Spoon before anointing the King in the form of a cross on his head, breast and hands.
The Ampulla was made for Charles II’s coronation, but its shape harks back to an earlier version and a legend that the Virgin Mary appeared to St Thomas a Becket in the 12th Century and gave him a golden eagle from which future kings of England would be anointed.
TheCoronation Spoon is much older, having survived Oliver Cromwell’s destruction of the regalia after the English Civil War.
King Charles III and his ‘mixed’ family to be on display at coronation on May 6.
Also undoubtedly in the spotlight at Westminster Abbeywill be members of Charles and Camilla’s blended family, a first in British history.
“This is the first time that a divorced man and divorced woman have been crowned alongside each other in Britain,” said ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy. “So this is a first for two families coming together in this way for this ceremony.”
Charles and Camilla had two children each when they entered their marriage in 2005.
Charles is the father of Princes William and Harry, his children with the late Princess Diana.
Camilla is the mother of Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, her children with ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
PHOTO: The Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with their children (L-R) Prince Harry, Prince William, Laura Parker Bowles and Tom Parker Bowles at Windsor Castle, April 9, 2005, after their wedding ceremony.
Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage via Getty Images
All four of their children will attend the coronation, along with many of their combined 10 grandchildren, some of whom will take part in the service.
William’s eldest son Prince George will serve as a Page of Honor for Charles at the coronation.
Tom Parker Bowles’ son, Master Freddy Parker Bowles will join his cousins, Master Gus Lopes and Master Louis Lopes, the twin sons of Lopes, as Pages of Honor for Camilla.
“Camilla’s family are very much front and center at this event, and that is interesting as this is a state occasion and they are usually totally private,” said Murphy. “Camilla’s family being so involved and visible does send, I think, a message about just how important she is to Charles’ reign and very much reminds us that this is their coronation, not just his.”
PHOTO: Tom Parker-Bowles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall watch The Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 7, 2019 in London.
Tom Parker-Bowles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall watch The Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 7, 2019 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images, FILE
Though the families of Charles and Camilla will be a united front on coronation day, they are not “especially close,” according to Murphy.
“Apart from at each other’s weddings, we have pretty much never seen them together in public and we are not aware, for example, that Camilla’s children have ever socialized with William and Harry,” she said. “However, Camilla’s granddaughter Eliza Lopes was a bridesmaid at William and Kate’s wedding, so that does signify an understanding of the significance of each other’s families, if not a specific closeness.” PHOTO: (L-R) Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, Eliza Lopes, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, April 29, 2011, in London.
(L-R) Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, Eliza Lopes, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, April 29, 2011, in London.
John Stillwell-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Murphy noted that Camilla kept her own property after marrying Charles, and it is there that she often spends time alone with her children and grandchildren.
“I do think in some ways they keep things quite separate,” Murphy said. “As a couple, Charles and Camilla actually do enjoy time apart as well as together, and that’s one of the things that people have often cited as being what makes their relationship work.”
In recent years, Charles has faced a divide within his own family, one that spilled into public view in 2020 when Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped down from their senior working royal roles.
The coronation will be Harry’s first public interaction with William and Charles since the January release of his bombshell memoir “Spare,” in which he shared details of his ongoing tensions with his brother and father.
PHOTO: The British royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour, June 08, 2019 in London.
The British royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour, June 08, 2019 in London.
Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Murphy said the coronation will be an unlikely place for “meaningful family discussions,” even behind the scenes.
“I think that Charles will be very focused on the public-facing aspects of the role,” Murphy said. “However, I think it will mean a lot to him that both his sons are there and I’m sure there will be exchanges if not long conversations.”
Noting how far apart Harry and William appear to still be, Murphy added, “This will be a public show of unity between Harry and the family, but I think it’s clear that the brothers remain deeply divided.”
Neither Buckingham Palace nor Kensington Palace have commented on the claims made in “Spare.”
According to royal sources, King Charles is “very disappointed” that he won’t be able to see Meghan or his grandchildren at his coronation.
He is reportedly pleased that Harry would travel across the pond for his momentous day, though.
The Duke of Sussex will visit Westminster Abbey on May 6, according to an announcement made by Buckingham Palace yesterday.
The Duchess, meanwhile, will remain at home in California with Archie, who turns four on the same day as the ceremony, and Lilibet, a year old.
Royal experts have said it is an ‘ideal compromise’ but some have described the decision as a ‘snub’ after the King accompanied Meghan down the aisle when she married his younger son.
The news follows the enduring row between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals, which has become more heated in recent months following the release of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.
A royal source told the Sun last night: ‘The King is happy that Harry, his son, who he calls his “darling boy” will be at the Abbey.
The King’s coronation will take place in just three weeks (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage Source: WireImage)The Palace said yesterday that Meghan won’t be attending the coronation but Harry will (Picture: Getty)
‘He wanted him there. It is sad, he is very disappointed that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren but understands the situation.’
According to Coronation plans seen by The Times there is no intention of giving Harry a role in the ceremony or procession from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace afterwards.
The couple had delayed answering their invitation for weeks, causing difficulties for organisers tasked with complex seating plans, transport and security for guests.
Sources described the negotiations as a game of ‘transatlantic ping pong’, and Harry was said to have wanted numerous assurances about arrangements.
But one source said it seemed ‘genuine’ of Harry to want to attend the coronation.
They said: ‘It is important for Harry as the King’s son to show up for his father. That seems quite genuine.
Another added: ‘It is about showing up, showing support and being there for his father.’
The day will see him come face-to-face with his father and brother in public for the first time since the release of his memoir Spare.
Sources said the decision by Meghan to remain in California with the couple’s two young children had come as a relief in some circles, following fears her presence could have heightened family tensions.
It is also understood there was real concern in the Sussex camp about the public reception the couple would have received if they attended the Coronation together.
In the event, the news was specifically timed for a dual announcement on both sides of the Atlantic at 3pm British time to minimise any inflaming of tensions.
A statement in London said: ‘Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.’
One royal observer commented after the news was announced: ‘Charles will be pleased. The rest of the family will be relieved that Meghan won’t be there – it would have been particularly uncomfortable for Kate.’
Harry is only planning on a flying visit, with sources close to the Sussexes indicating he won’t even return to Buckingham Palace to gather with the rest of the family or take part in any further events over the Coronation weekend.
Omid Scobie tweeted the news of Harry’s forthcoming attendance and then added: ‘I understand that Archie’s fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple’s decision.
‘Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.’
Sussex supporters said the Duke understood that it was the biggest day of his father’s life and felt it was right to be present, despite his attacks on the family.
But Rob Jobson, author of upcoming book Our King: The Man and the Monarch Revealed, said it calls into question whether Meghan will ever play a role in the royal family again.
He said: ‘It is good news that Harry has accepted the invite and will be there to support his father.
‘It is the most pragmatic move in a difficult situation and Harry has got it right. He would deeply regret it if he didn’t attend the biggest day of his father’s life.
‘But the fact his wife is not attending means it is now highly unlikely we will ever see her attend an official or Palace event again — apart from maybe the King’s funeral.’
Westminster Abbey‘s coronation chair is being restored by conservator Krista Blessley
The ancient chair King Charles will be crowned on has some brand-new ornamental embellishments.
This throne has witnessed the coronations of Henry VIII, Charles I, and Queen Victoria. It last saw use in 1953 for the late Queen.
Although having a 700-year history, it was notably covered in graffiti in the 18th and 19th centuries by students and tourists who wrote their initials or names.
One visitor carved ‘P. Abbott slept in this chair 5-6 July 1800’ on the seat. Slithers of wood were also cut off as souvenirs.
Detail of graffiti on the chair, which is being restored ahead of the upcoming coronationTourists used to carve their initials or names in the 18th and 19th centuries
Krista Blessley, paintings conservator at Westminster Abbey, was tasked with the cleaning and preservation of the gliding.
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But she believes she has found a previously overlooked part of a figure during the work.
She said: ‘I think they are previously undiscovered toes in the punch-work gilding on the back of the chair.
‘So there are areas of drapery where you can tell there would have been a figure.
It is thought the chair was made in 1,300 out of oak
‘It might be they are figures of kings or it might be a figure of a saint, because so much is lost we cannot tell at the moment but will do some further investigation.’
Estimated to have been made in around 1,300 for King Edward I, the throne was used to house the coronation stone.
Constructed from oak, decorated with coloured glass, and gilded with gold leaf, it is ‘a complex layered structure’.
Ms Blessley, who has been working on the chair for months ahead of the May 6 coronation, said it is ‘a real privilege’ to be conserving a historic object central to the life of the nation.
Detail of a golden lion on the throne
‘It is so important to our country’s history and in the history of the monarchy, and it is really unique as a conservator to work on something that is part of a working collection and still used for the original function it was made for,’ she said.
She has been meticulously preserving the flaking gilding and cleaning the chair’s surface using sponges and cotton swabs.
Ms Blessley added: ‘It has a very complex layered structure, which means it is very prone to the gilding on it flaking.
‘So a large part of what I have been doing is sticking that gilding down to make sure it is secure, and then I will surface clean it and that will improve the appearance a little bit.’
Despite the UK’s current economic unrest, Jacob Rees-Mogg said earlier today that the King’s coronation next year “has to be done well.”
Given that Labour supported the idea, Downing Streetstated that “all options” are still on the table with regard to moving the early May bank holiday to coincide with the King’s coronation.
The event is due to take place on 6 May next year in Westminster Abbey, eight months after the monarch’s accession and the death of the Queen.
Number 10 said a bank holiday for King Charles’s coronation is still “on the table”.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “Obviously, this will be a historic event. We are carefully considering our plans. All options remain on the table.”
Meanwhile, Labour has suggested that pushing the 1 May bank holiday back until Monday 8 May to give the country a long weekend would be a “good way for the country to be able to celebrate”.
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said: “Moving the May bank holiday that there is for that weekend would be a good idea.”
The announcement of the date for the King’s coronation yesterday sparked calls from a number of MPs for a change to the May bank holiday in order to mark the event.
Tory former cabinet minister David Jones told the Daily Mail: “To combine the two events would be welcomed by the entire nation.
“It would make a very special memory for all of us.”
Former Labour frontbencher Khalid Mahmood agreed, adding: “We can move the holiday back to the coronation weekend.
“We have a unique system with the monarchy and an independent parliament – I would back Britons having a three-day weekend to mark the occasion.”
Earlier today, Jacob Rees-Mogg told Sky news that the King’s coronation next year “needs to be done properly” despite the current economic turmoil in the UK.
The business secretary said “we don’t have coronations very often” and disputed that conversations about the cost of the ceremony could be compared to debates about rising wage demands.
But he refused to speculate how much the event will cost.
It is thought the coronation will be more modest and shorter than previous ceremonies, with some suggesting it will last one hour.
King’s coronation date announced
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Queen Consort will be crowned alongside the King.
The palace said the ceremony would “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future” while staying “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry”.
The Queen’s coronation on 2 June 1953 was three hours long and had a congregation of 8,000 dignitaries. The event was broadcast live on television, attracting record-breaking audiences around the world.
Although the King succeeded to the throne when the Queen died, the coronation ceremony marks the formal investiture of a monarch’s regal power.
The King will be 74 next May, making him the oldest person to be crowned in British history.
In Westminster Abbey, where coronations have been held for more than 900 years, the service will be held. King Charles will be the oldest monarch in British history when he is crowned.
According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles III will be crowned on Saturday, May 6, next year.
The religious ceremony will be held at London’s Westminster Abbey and conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
It is thought the coronation will be more modest and shorter than previous ceremonies, with some suggesting it will last one hour.
Image:King Charles III will wear St Edward’s Crown towards the end of the ceremony, which was also worn by the Queen at her coronation in 1953
What will happen at King Charles’s coronation?
The Palace said the ceremony would “reflect the monarch’s role today and looks towards the future” whilst staying “rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry”.
It has still not been confirmed whether there will be a Bank Holiday to mark the day, although the fact it falls on a weekend might suggest this is unlikely.
The Queen’s coronation on 2 June 1953 took three hours with a congregation of 8,000 dignitaries. The event was broadcast live on television, attracting record-breaking audiences around the world.
Back then, thousands lined the streets for a glimpse of the Queen in the gold state coach, which has been used for coronations since George IV.
It is not known whether the coach will be used this time.
Image:Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on the Buckingham Palace balcony after her coronation in 1953
Although the King succeeded to the throne whenthe Queendied, the coronation ceremony marks the formal investiture of a monarch’s regal power.
Charles will be anointed with holy oil, blessed and consecrated by the archbishop.
He will be crowned with St Edward’s Crown. During the ceremony, Camilla will also be anointed and crowned.
Image:Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and King George VI after his coronation in 1937
The date of the coronation is also the birthday of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie – the King’s grandson – who will be turning four on the day.
There is also no detail yet on who will attend the ceremony, including whether or not Prince Harry and Meghan will be invited or be able to travel from California to attend.
A recent report claims that King Charles III’s coronation has been scheduled.
The date of Charles’ coronation will be June 3 at Westminster Abbey in London, according to Bloomberg, which cited U.K. sources.
However, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told the Evening Standard that any reports on the coronation date are “pure speculation.”
Sources told the London newspaper that a date for the coronation had not been decided and added that any reporting of the date should be taken “with a massive pinch of salt.”
According to Bloomberg, anonymous government officials said that plans for the coronation have centered on June 3, though discussions are ongoing as to which other dates could be proclaimed official holidays.
As the king’s coronation is a state event, the date on which it takes place will be observed as a bank holiday. Since June 3 of next year falls on a Saturday, Friday, June 2 could potentially be proclaimed a bank holiday.
If the coronation is officially set for June 3, King Charles III’s ceremony will take place almost 70 years to the day after his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953.
Coronations usually take place a year after the death of a monarch in order to allow for a period of mourning as well as to provide enough time for the planning that such a massive public event entails.
The late monarch was 25 at the time of her coronation while Charles was just four-years-old.
After the queen’s death on Sept. 8, Charles immediately ascended to the throne. He was officially proclaimed king by the Accession Council of the United Kingdom on Sept. 10.
Charles’ wife Camilla will be crowned Queen Consort at his coronation. Photo by Andrew Milligan – Pool/Getty Images
While Elizabeth’s coronation was attended by 8,000 guests, attendees of Charles’ ceremony will be limited to 2,000, due to safety and health concerns.
The monarch has also reportedly expressed a wish that the coronation is more inclusive of other faiths and communities to better reflect the nation’s diversity.
Due to the queen’s advanced age, preparations for the event have been underway for years, under the code name “Operation Golden Orb.”
After the service at Westminster Abbey, Household Cavalry Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams was one of those who escorted the late monarch’s coffin as it was driven by a gun carriage down Whitehall and along the Mall.
A teenage soldier who took part in the Queen’s state funeral has been found dead at his barracks.
Household Cavalry Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams was among those to escort the late monarch’s coffin as it was carried by gun carriage through Whitehall and down the Mall following the service at Westminster Abbey.
The Army has confirmed that the 18-year-old, from Bridgend, South Wales, died on Wednesday at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
He was believed to be one of the newest recruits to the Household Cavalry.
An Army spokesman said: “It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams on 28 September 2022 at Hyde Park Barracks.
“Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult time and we ask that their privacy is respected.”
The case has been referred to the coroner.
Sharing a picture and tribute on Facebook to her son, known as Jak by his family and friends, his mother Laura Williams, 42, wrote: “Never ever thought I would be saying this but we as a family are all heartbroken with the sudden passing of our wonderful son Jak Williams.”
The case has been referred to the coroner.
Sharing a picture and tribute on Facebook to her son, known as Jak by his family and friends, his mother Laura Williams, 42, wrote: “Never ever thought I would be saying this but we as a family are all heartbroken with the sudden passing of our wonderful son Jak Williams.”
