Catch up on what you’ve missed! Here are the most memorable moments during the Coronation Service of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.
According to the website, The King was born at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948 as Prince Charles Philip Arthur George and became heir apparent or next in line to the throne when he was three years old. He then became the longest serving Prince of Wales and was the first heir to see his mother crowned as Sovereign. The King has three siblings, two sons, two step-children, five grandchildren, and five step-children. Upon Queen Elizabeth’s passing in September of 2022, Prince Charles became King.
READ ALSO: And It Begins: The Coronation Of His Majesty King Charles III
Here are the highlights of the Coronation Weekend:
Setting the stage for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey
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Westminster Abbey has been the setting for all Coronations since the year 1066 and King Charles III is the fortieth Sovereign to be crowned here. However, before the construction of Westminster Abbey, Coronations took place in Bath, Oxford, and Canterbury.
The King’s Procession
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Their Majesties as they travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach drawn by six WIndsor Grey horses during “The King’s Procession.”
The arrival at Westminster Abbey accompanied by the The Sovereign’s Escort of Household Cavalry
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More than 1,000 Armed Forces from the three services and Standard Bearers of the Royal British Legion, uniformed Civilian Services, and Community Organizations flanked the route which travelled along The Mall through Admiralty Arch, passing to the south of the King Charles Island statue in Trafalgar Square before turning into Whitehall and continued down Whitehall and along the east and south sides of Parliament Square.
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The Recognition
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King Charles III is seen turning to all of the four points of the compass prior to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s proclamation of him as the “undoubted King” after which “God save King Charles!” is shouted by the congregation.
The Oath
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King Charles III places his hands on a Bible and swears to govern the people with justice and mercy, and to uphold the Anglican Church of England and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. It is the first time that the King had also prayed for grace to be ‘a blessing to all…of every faith and belief’.
The Annointing
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The most sacred part of the Coronation Service, The King is seated in the Coronation Chair while the Archbishop of Canterbury is seen anointing the hands, chest, and head of His Majesty while the choir sings Handel’s “Zadok the Priest,” the coronation anthem. According to the an Instagram post from @theroyalfamily, the oil has been harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives and was consecrated in a special ceremony in Jerusalem. According to the website, a “coronation spoon” has been used for every coronation since the year 1939 used to anoint The King with a secret mix of oils.
The Investiture
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His Majesty is clothed in symbolic vestments while presented with items of Regalia which are tangible reminders of The King’s responsibilities to God. These Regalia include The Supertunica, The Armills, The Soveriegn’s Orb, The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove, and The Sovereign Sceptre with Cross. Read more about each of these Regalia here.
The Homage
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His Majesty receives a promise of allegiance and faithfulness from The Prince of Wales.
The Crowning of The Queen
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Camilla is crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown. The King’s Coronation is the first since 1937 to include the Coronation of a Queen Consort. This last time this took place was in 1937 when the wife of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, was crowned as Queen Consort.
The Coronation Procession
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Following Their Majesties’ Coronation, The King and Queen process through Westminster Abbey before returning to Buckingham Palace.
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The King and The Queen return to Buckingham Palace for the Coronation Procession as they drawn by eight Windsor Grey horses in the Gold State Coach where they were joined by other members of the Royal Family for the much-awaited balcony appearance.
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Inaugurated by Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902, the finale of the coronation day has been a balcony appearance from The King and members of the Royal Family.
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Banner photo and all article photos via Instagram @theroyalfamily.
