Monarchs from around the world made their way to Westminster Abbey today to see the coronation of King Charles.
In a break with tradition, King Charles added crowned royals to the guest list for this coronation, meaning a number of kings and queens could attend the pageantry.
For centuries, convention dictated that no other crowned royals should attend the coronation of a British monarch, in a tradition that lasted 900 years.
This was based on the idea that the sacred event should be an intimate exchange between the monarch and his people in the presence of God. But Charles decided to move on, which is one of the ways he’s tried to modernize the ceremony, meaning his crowned friends, including European kings and rulers from Arab states, have made it onto the guest list.
Among the royals leading the glam were Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Letizia of Spain, among others.
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Prince Albert of Monaco, who became the first European king to confirm his attendance at the coronation, attended the event with his wife Princess Charlene
He became the first European king to confirm his attendance at King Charles’ coronation, revealing the news in late January.
And Prince Albert of Monaco, 64, spoke fondly of the British king, whom he described as “a very learned man and someone with a great sense of humour”.
He also indicated he was looking forward to the event, telling PEOPLE magazine he was “sure it will be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one”.
He was accompanied by his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco.
The South African Olympic swimmer’s marriage to Prince Albert has been plagued by controversy lately, with Albert admitting to having two children out of wedlock and Charlene spending a lot of time away from Monaco.
But today they joined forces and entered the ministry together.
The couple share eight-year-old Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco, and Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès, but the twins weren’t with them today.
Princess Charlene looked chic in a cream two piece pants suit. She donned a matching cream hat that was worn atop her cropped hair.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Spain
Spanish royalty – Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe of Spain – were typically glamorous on their way to the Abbey today
Queen Letizia of Spain, who worked as a journalist before marrying King Felipe, was present today with her husband King Felipe of Spain.
Felipe is a distant cousin of Charles: his mother, Queen Sofia, was a third cousin of the Queen and a first cousin once removed of the Duke of Edinburgh.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth, whom Felipe called Aunt Lilibet, the Spanish king wrote a touching letter to Charles.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, Jordan
Like many of the other royal women, Rania opted for a monochromatic outfit, pairing her long-sleeved cream midi length dress with her cream stiletto pumps
Queen Rania was also typically chic as she arrived at today’s ceremony with her husband King Abdullah.
Like many of the other royal women in attendance, she wore a monochromatic outfit.
Her long-sleeved midi length, which featured long sleeves and a high neckline, paired perfectly with cream pumps.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Máxima
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked stylish in cream as she attended the ceremony with her husband King Willem-Alexander
Queen Maxima attended along with her husband King Willem-Alexander.
The 51-year-old opted for a light cream dress that reached just above her knees. The dress was accompanied by matching gloves and a bright hat.
Maxima opted for high heels and nude stiletto pumps to match the bare handbag she was carrying in one hand.
King Willem-Alexander is distantly related to King Charles – he was the Queen’s fifth cousin, once removed thanks to an ancient connection in her family tree.
Willem-Alexander is a descendant of Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau, daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and his wife Anne, eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his wife Caroline of Ansbach.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
Representatives of the Norwegian royal family were Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The Norwegian royal family is closely linked to the British royal family
There is a long-standing connection between the British and Norwegian royal families, which intensified after Germany visited Norway in 1940 and the royals stayed in Britain.
Charles was named after the former King Haakon VII, known colloquially as Carl to friends and family and nicknamed Uncle Charles by Queen Elizabeth.
Crown Prince Haakon is the great-grandson of Haakon VII and represented his family at the coronation together with his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit today.
Haakon donned ceremonial military attire for the event.
Mette-Marit, meanwhile, looked elegant in soft pink and wore a monochromatic outfit with a matching midi dress, hat, gloves and stiletto pumps.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was present today, accompanied by his wife, Crown Princess Mary, dressed in purple
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was present today together with his wife Crown Princess Mary.
Opting for a more colorful ensemble than some of the other royal women, Mary opted for a bright purple outfit.
She combined her coat dress, which reached just below the knees, with a purple fascinator and pumps with stiletto heels.
Queen Margrethe – the only living European queen since the death of Queen Elizabeth – was unable to attend due to back surgery.
King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde
King Philippe of Belgium was one of the royal guests today, along with his wife Queen Mathilde, who looked effortlessly chic in pastel pink satin
The Queen’s distant cousin, King Philippe of Belgium, also attended the coronation and was snapped alongside his wife, Queen Mathilde.
Philippe is about King Christian IX. of Denmark, who is known as the “Grandfather of Europe” because of his extensive family tree, is very distantly related to Karl.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was Christian’s great-great-granddaughter, while Philippe is his great-great-grandson.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the service without their four children.
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, with Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal
Queen Anne Marie of Greece attended the coronation at Westminster Abbey along with Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal
Queen Anne Marie of Greece was photographed with her son Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and his wife Crown Princess Marie-Chantal at the ceremony.
Prince Pavlos is the eldest son and second child of Constantine II, the last King of Greece from 1964 to 1973, and his wife.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg donned a ceremonial military garb for the event. Meanwhile, his wife Maria Teresa opted for a night blue pantsuit
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Maria Teresa were also guests at today’s ceremony.
Maria Teresa bucked the midi dress trend and opted for a stylish midnight blue pantsuit instead. The garment consisted of trendy flared trousers and a long blazer.
Opting for statement jewelry, she opted for silver pieces like a necklace, bracelet, and brooch.
Shortened by Queen Elizabeth in 1953, today’s two-hour service is a pivotal moment in the history of the Royal Family and will balance ancient traditions and a 21st-century future.