The Queen was crowned with the Queen Mary’s Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey, as Buckingham Palace officially confirmed her title.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby put the 112-year-old crown on Queen Camilla after her husband’s coronation.
He said an open prayer: “May your servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled with your rich grace and all princely virtues.
“Rule in her heart, O king of love. Since she is sure of your protection, she can be crowned with your gracious favor. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.’
The Queen was then handed the royal scepter as the Archbishop finished his proclamation.
The monarch and his wife smiled at the congregation as they walked through the church for a Christian ceremony dating back 1,000 years on a day of glorious pageantry.
The Queen was crowned with the Queen Mary’s Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Abbey
Camilla wears a modified version of Queen Mary’s crown during the coronation ceremony. It was specially commissioned for the coronation of King George V in 1911
Following her coronation, Buckingham Palace updated Camilla’s biography on its website with her new title The Queen.
After her coronation, the queen took her place at the king’s side
Queen Camilla was crowned with her husband in Westminster today
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort exchanged a look during the coronation ceremony
After she was crowned, Buckingham Palace updated Camilla’s biography on its website with her new title ‘The Queen’.
Before her death, the late Queen Elizabeth II had suggested that Camilla would be known as the Queen Consort – paving the way for the title.
Camilla’s credits were all from her family. They include her grandsons Gus and Louis Lopes, 13, and Freddy Parker Bowles, 13. Her grandnephew, Arthur Elliot, 10, was her fourth page.
The king then looked emotional as Prince William, contrary to tradition, paid homage to him and knelt to take an oath of allegiance to his father. He said: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge to you my loyalty and the faith and truth I will bring to you as your liege man for life and limb. May God help me.’ Then he got up, touched the crown and kissed the king on the cheek. Charles was moved as he nodded to his son and said “Amen.”
The historic coronation, watched around the globe, was a fulfillment of the king’s destiny but followed the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September after 70 years of reign. Minutes later, Camilla was crowned.
The monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, smiled at the congregation as they walked through the church for a Christian ceremony dating back 1,000 years on a day of glorious pageantry.
Heir apparent since the age of three, the monarch was ready to finally face his destiny day with the woman he loves by his side.
The Queen was officially enthroned when the coronation anthem was sung by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. The Queen’s accession was a moment when Charles and Camilla were “united in their common calling before God.”
Camilla arrives alongside King Charles at Westminster Abbey ahead of her coronation
King Charles III and Queen Camilla sit on their thrones during their coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey
In a historic moment, King Charles III. crowned – the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey
The archbishop puts the ancient crown on the king, which has taken place at the same place since 1066
King Charles III is crowned with St Edward’s Crown during his coronation ceremony by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby. It is the only time in his life that he wears the crown
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby places St. Edward’s Crown on the head of British King Charles III
King Charles III receives the St. Edward’s Crown
The historical first picture of the king and queen after the coronation
The newly crowned queen, seated on her throne, looked every inch like the royal consort
A celebratory Charles becomes king today in a truly historic moment
King Charles III with the St. Edward’s Crown and Queen Camilla with the Queen Mary’s Crown
The king then looked emotional as Prince William paid homage to him and knelt to take an oath of allegiance to his father. Then he kissed him on the cheek
After the king was crowned, Camilla was also crowned and made his queen
Queen Camilla is crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown
King Charles III wears St Edward’s Crown as he takes communion
Before his coronation, the king was anointed with holy oil in private. He wore a white linen robe called Colobium Sindonis, a golden cloak called Supertunica, and had the coronation girdle around his waist.
After being sanctified at his anointing, the coronation regalia were presented to the king. Minutes earlier, Charles had swore on the Bible and kissed it after taking the oath: “I, Charles, solemnly and sincerely confess, testify, and declare in the presence of God that I am a faithful Protestant and that I am in accordance with the true intention of the edicts securing the Protestant succession to the throne, to uphold and uphold the said edicts to the best of my ability.’
His family sat closest to him in a congregation of 2,300, although Prince Harry sat in the third row, away from Prince William, his wife and children and other working royals.
In it, Charles became the first monarch to pray publicly at a coronation – he prayed for the grace to be “a blessing upon all…of every creed and creed” and to minister after Christ’s example.
A special personal prayer was written for the king to reflect the service’s theme of loving service, and the words were inspired in part by the popular hymn I Vow To Thee My Country.
He said: “Gracious and merciful God, whose Son was not sent to be served but to serve, grant grace that I may find perfect liberty in thy service, and in that liberty a knowledge of thy truth. Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children of every creed and faith that together we may discover the ways of kindness and be led into the paths of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak read the letter to the congregation – Colossians 1:9-17.
Lambeth Palace said that although Mr Sunak is Hindu, he reads as Prime Minister so there are no problems with his personal faith during Anglican services.
As he faces his fateful moment, Charles gazes at the throne where he will be crowned king
Charles swears on the Bible and kisses her in a 1000-year-old ceremony
Charles exercises the oaths to “reign and swear” by the archbishop before kissing the Bible presented to him
Every coronation has taken place in the old church since 1066. Charles sits while the Archbishop of Canterbury speaks
King Charles III smiles at the congregation
King Charles comes to the altar for his historic coronation
Britain’s King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, during their coronation ceremony
Charles III arrives at Westminster Abbey for his coronation
Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales followed by Louis and Charlotte who hold hands
The Wales’ take their seats while William’s brother Harry sits three rows down
Charles seemed to be looking at his son in the gathering
17th century St Edward’s Crown is carried into the church
Prince George and the other honored servants sat behind the king in Westminster Abbey as Charles took the coronation oath.
From behind his grandfather, George’s gaze could be seen darting around the church.
The prince and his fellow pages then stood behind the kneeling Charles and held the corners of his hanging robe while he prayed.
The King then signed copies of the oaths which were presented by the Lord Chamberlain while the choir sang.
A play in Welsh was sung by the choir at the beginning of the coronation service, with Sir Bryn Terfel singing Kyrie Eleison.
As the bells of Westminster Abbey rang, the king and queen disembarked. Camilla got off first, followed by Charles after a short pause in front of the church.
The king waved and spoke to his grandson Prince George, a future king who was one of the page honours. His parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, were the last to enter the Abbey before the royal couple arrived.
When he arrived for the two-hour service, the abbey bells rang as crowds stood in the rain and cheered the arrival of the king and his wife. They entered the abbey to announce trumpeters and the congregation stood as the royal couple entered.
King Charles enters the Abbey as he prepares for his coronation
Camilla smiles at the congregation as she enters the abbey
Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales during the Coronation
The Wales’ and their children Charlotte and Louis arrive. George supported his grandfather
The Wales and the Edinburghs as the King and Queen enter
Queen Consort Camilla looked great in white
Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte enter the church
Prince George and King Charles III outside the Abbey
A solemn King Charles arrives at the Abbey for his coronation
The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Mike Tindall and the Duke of Sussex, who made the funny face
A smiling Harry takes his place
Prince George wore a corner of his grandfather the king’s hanging robes as the royal party made their way into Westminster Abbey.
His siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were previously spotted peeking out of a car window as they arrived in front of the church.
While his father was cheered by the capital, royals, including Prince Harry, attended the service. The Duke of Sussex walked down the aisle alone and smiled at people as he made his way to the front of the church. He grinned at the people in the gathering before taking his place.
Stars at the Abbey included Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Fry, Nick Cave and the magician Dynamo, while Dame Emma Thompson gave a thumbs-up with excitement. First Lady Jill Biden was one of the last to enter before the service, sitting with Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. President Joe Biden stayed at home.
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by six gray Windsor horses, arrived at Buckingham Palace at 10am for the King and Queen. Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Division lined up at the entrance to the Mall ahead of the King’s procession to Westminster Abbey.
A mile from the Palace, Westminster Abbey was rammed by the great and good from Britain and around the world as Charles III’s fateful day finally arrived and he will be crowned King today.
More than 100 million people around the world are set to witness the historic first coronation of a British monarch in 70 years – with an estimated 2 million taking to the streets of London to watch the story unfold.
Prince Harry walked through the church alone, following his cousin Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank
Prince Harry spoke to Princess Beatrice
Prince Andrew didn’t seem to smile when he saw Harry outside the church
Charles and Camilla waved to thousands of spectators who lined the street as leaders began to join members of the congregation at Westminster Abbey.
The Prince and Princess of Wales chatted while waiting to enter the Abbey, behind their eldest son Prince George, who was one of the King’s Pages of Honour.
The couple appeared at ease as they walked behind William’s father, followed by their daughter Princess Charlotte and younger son Prince Louis.
Well-wishers near Buckingham Palace were undeterred by the rain as the Diamond Jubilee State Coach cruised down the Mall.
A group of royal fans in Union Jacks sang “Singing in the Rain” while the service at Westminster Abbey was shown on big screens.
Songs from the service were played over the crowd.
People laid picnic blankets on the wet ground and sat on steps as they watched cannons being carried down the mall.
The list of 2,300 invited guests reads like a who’s who of politics, show business, world leaders and foreign royalty, with a sprinkling of everyday heroes and close family and friends of the king and his wife.
French President Emmanuel Macron was present with US singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, Jay Blades from The Repair Shop and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children to show his “friendship, respect and appreciation” to Britain .
The monarch smiled to huge crowds who cheered wildly and waved flags as he was swept into his home in central London at 9am.
On the short drive from St James’ Palace, the 74-year-old king looked solemn and thoughtful at times on what was undoubtedly the biggest day of his life.
Senior members of the royal family arrived about 20 minutes later, including Prince Andrew, who was booed by some in the stands.