Eight months after the death of Elizabeth II, King Charles III. crowned in a Christian ceremony full of pomp and solemnity at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday.

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As a culmination of this consecration, which was prepared without much popular enthusiasm and marked by the arrest of anti-monarchy protesters, the Archbishop of Canterbury bestowed on the 74-year-old sovereign the crown of Saint Edward of solid gold and set with rubies.

Dressed in a simple white linen shirt, the king had just received the anointing on his knees, protected by embroidered umbrellas, while Handel’s famous Zadok the Priest rang out.

He reappeared in the eyes of audiences and hundreds of millions of expected television viewers to don the “super tunic,” a silk cloak draped in fine pieces of gold, then the imperial mantle clad in gold cloth.

With the royal stole over his shoulders, the white leather coronation glove slipped over one hand, and a scepter in each hand, the king received the crown weighing more than two kilos, which had been used for all coronations since 1661.

“God save the king!” exclaimed Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the first dignitary of the Anglican religion.

Trumpets sounded and cannon shots were heard across Britain or fired from Royal Navy boats at sea.

His heir William, kneeling, then swore allegiance to his father.

Camilla, 75, Charles’ second wife, was later blessed and crowned.

“Not My King”

Charles III became King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth countries, from Canada to Australia to Jamaica, in September after the death of his mother Elizabeth II at the age of 96.

Its coronation, unique in Europe, is the religious endorsement of this, and the UK had not seen one since 1953.

If modernized with shorter durations, singing representatives of the major religions and gospel alongside the classics, this millennia-old ritual has given the British monarchy an opportunity to display all the pomp of which it is a secret.

The King left Buckingham Palace in a carriage of six and rode through central London in the rain in front of thousands of staunch royals and some ‘Not My King’ signs unimaginable under his mother.

He passed through the doors of the Abbey dressed in his grandfather George VI’s robes of state, followed by four pages including his grandson George, followed by the Queen in an ivory robe embroidered with flowers.

Prince William and his wife Kate joined the other members of the royal family, including Prince Harry, who was relegated to third place and stripped of any official role on this historic day, a consequence of his departure for California in 2020 followed by more violent ones Criticism of the Palace.

The king was traditionally greeted by a child from the royal chapel.

The Archbishop of Canterbury then proceeded with the “recognition” aimed at confirming the king as the true ruler of the United Kingdom and 14 other states.

“God save King Charles,” he began, recorded by the assistant in the choir.

The king then took the oath on the Bible before the ceremony in front of the 2,300 guests, foreign dignitaries such as French President Emmanuel Macron or the wife of American President Jill Biden, celebrities such as actress Judi Dench, representative of the nobility, political leader and representatives of civil society.

“Be part of the future”

In a UK in the midst of a livelihood crisis, the event, with its golden sceptres, magnificent carriages and crowns set with some of the world’s largest diamonds, was prepared without much enthusiasm.

Another fly in the ointment: Police arrested more than 20 demonstrators, including six anti-monarchists and environmental activists, planning to protest on the King’s Road in one of their largest security operations, with more than 11,000 officers mobilized ahead of the coronation.

“That’s what you expect in Moscow, not in London,” protested Human Rights Watch.

If the anti-monarchists remain very much in the minority, their share in the population, especially among the young, increases. Her presence was unimaginable under Elizabeth II, a sign of the challenges facing Charles III, an already aged sovereign who was much less popular than his mother or heir William, aged 40.

A large, merry crowd dressed in the colors of the United Kingdom had traveled from across the country and abroad to attend this historic event and watch the royal couple and the procession pass by.

Being here means “being part of the future. It’s a crowning glory, it’s an important thing,” enthuses Dave Giddings, 41, who came to the Mall from Scotland with his wife and son to get as close to the event as possible despite the rain.

After the coronation, neighborhood meals and a concert are planned in Windsor, notably on the Sunday before a bank holiday Monday.

Britons and fans of the royal family in New York City celebrated the coronation of King Charles by flocking to English pubs and a famous tea shop in the city.

Manhattan residents witnessed the official coronation of King Charles at 7am, with the Churchill Pub in Kips Bay and the Tea and Sympathy Café in Greenwich Village being popular places to celebrate.

And the early start did little to calm the excitement as thousands of champagne-popping revelers descended on monarchical offerings and pennant-clad bars to celebrate the occasion.

After starting the day at the traditional English pub, The Churchill, has wandered around New York to show how the historic day was celebrated across the pond.

Pictured left to right: Maddie McDermott, Hannah Wall and Christina Vientimilla

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive from Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach

Friends Maddie McDermott, Hannah Wall and Christina Vientimilla all gathered at British restaurant Tea & Sympathy this morning for the coronation.

The trio said they are big fans of the Princess of Wales and the Crown.

Maddie said: “We tuned in towards the end – it was great! It was a beautiful ceremony and it was something new for us.

“We are big fans of Kate Middleton, we love her and Princess Charlotte because she is adorable.”

Millie Gibbons, 23, who is originally from Suffolk, England, donned a Union Jack coat in celebration outside the tea shop.

Pictured: Millie Gibbons in her Union Jack coat at Tea & Sympathy

She said: “Charles represents a more modern twist on the monarchy, which is exciting.

“You feel connected, you’re so far from home, so it’s nice to be able to enjoy this ‘little England’ here, it brings you home.

“With all the celebrations going on in London, sometimes it feels like you’re missing out on being out here. When the Queen walked by it was so spooky, but that’s nice because it’s very solemn.’

Locals gathered at Tea & Sympathy including this Corgi named Robbie

The corks were already popping as the sun rose over the east coast on Saturday, and numerous New York hotspots were enjoying the Coronation Day boost.

The Churchill Pub in Manhattan pulled out all the stops for its early morning celebration

Earlier in the day, a large crowd gathered at The Churchill Pub in Manhattan to celebrate the occasion.

British ex-pat Ben Lawson and his American wife Leslie Lynn got up at 5am to be at the pub to celebrate the ceremony.

Ben said: “We’re grateful we’re both here to see it. It’s a very interesting feeling.

British ex-pat Ben Lawson and his American wife Leslie Lynn got up at 5am this morning to celebrate the ceremony.

Ben said: “We’re grateful we’re both here to see it. It’s a very interesting feeling.

“My grandmother is watching from the UK and she witnessed the Queen’s coronation and it’s a nice feeling to know she’s watching and I’m watching with her. I’ll always be proud to be British.”

Pictured: Expat Ben Leslie enjoys an early pint with his American wife Leslie Lynn

Jonathan Athamhood said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be out here celebrating the coronation of King Charles and we are very proud of him.

“This is a celebration, so it would be rude not to reward the occasion. It’s an early pint for me.

“A very exciting occasion and I will be speaking to my children about it.

“My husband is British and I love supporting all things British…I’m excited to see what the next 20 years will be like with Charles as king.”

Pictured: Jonathan Athamhood and Cristi Forbes at Churchill

Herbert Westfalen, who claims to be a member of the Prussian royal family, told : “I’ve been a huge fan of the royal family all my life and we’re distantly related.”

At Tea & Sympathy in Greenwich Village, owner Nicky Perry said she expected over 1,000 people to pass through the small boutique for the coronation.

Speaking to , she said: “It’s been wonderful, the coronation boost is going to be crazy, it’s going to be lots and lots of customers.”

Pictured: Tea & Sympathy in Manhattan, New York

Pictured: (LR) Anthony Rafaniello, Robbie the Corgi and Tea & Sympathy owner Nicky Perry

American Brenda Halkias, a regular at the restaurant, said she loves the “grandness” and “pomp” of British culture.

She said: “I was up at 6am watching it live. It’s quite pompous, but in all the years it’s been around I really respect the tradition. I find it moving in many ways.

“I like all that grandeur, people don’t dress fancy anymore, so I like that a lot.”

Diana Utech got up at 4am to watch the negotiations. She said: “As a New Yorker, I love partying in the city. We do things on a grand scale.”

Diana Utech (pictured) said she got up at 4am to watch the special occasion

Flags in hand, royals fans sit down for a cup of tea to celebrate the coronation

Despite the early rise, the Churchill Pub quickly filled with those wishing to attend the ceremony

Pictured: Bartender Jared Sepaugh, in a red coat, on guard duty at Tea & Sympathy

British bodega Myers of Keswick has built a following in the Big Apple by offering British staples like teabags, English mustard and HP sauce.

The availability of such rarities in New York has British expats flocking to the store to pick up their long-lost favorites – and today, to celebrate the coronation from across the Atlantic.

The store’s social media manager, Terry Gaffney, ran a pop-up stand in front of the store selling Coronation-branded merchandise.

She said: “It’s busier than the Christmas period, which is really saying something because we always have a queue at Christmas.

“This whole week has been crazy. We got up early to catch the coronation and it was beautiful.”

Terry Gaffney said the whole of last week had been “crazy” at the popular British bodega

Customers gathered at the West Village store after the coronation today

Myers of Keswick is known for its British rarities, including HP sauce

The shop was opened in 1985 by husband and wife team Peter and Irene Myers, Peter being originally from Keswick, a market town in England.

In 2019 Peter moved back to England and his daughter Jennifer now runs the shop.

LONDON (CNN) London’s Metropolitan Police said they had during the coronation of King Charles III. made 52 arrests on Saturday as the force faces growing scrutiny over its stance on anti-monarchy protesters.

Thousands gathered in central London on Saturday to celebrate the once in a lifetime occasion. But it also drew protesters who wore yellow T-shirts and chanted “Not My King” throughout the morning.

Republic, Britain’s largest anti-monarchy group, told CNN that police – without giving a reason – arrested organizers of the anti-monarchy protest.

Around 7 a.m. (2 a.m. ET) police stopped six of the Republic organizers and told them they would arrest and search them, Republic Director Harry Stratton told CNN at the protest.

Republic chief executive Graham Smith was among those arrested, according to reports a video shared by the Alliance of European Republican Movements.

Protesters hold signs reading “Not My King” and “Abolish the Monarchy” near the procession.

Stratton said when organizers asked police why they were being arrested, they were told that officers “would find out” after searching the anti-monarchy protesters. After searching them, the police told the six organizers that they would arrest them and confiscate hundreds of their placards with the slogan “Not My King”.

“They didn’t say why they arrested her. They didn’t tell them or us where they took them. It’s really like something out of a police state,” Stratton said.

“I think people are quite concerned about the police response. But the crowd’s reaction to us was overwhelmingly friendly,” he added.

The group posted Twitter Saturday and commented: “So much for the right to peaceful protest.”

Members of environmental activist group Just Stop Oil were also apparently arrested in The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, British news agency PA Media reported, adding that a large group of the protesters were seen handcuffed.

A member of Just Stop Oil was arrested and taken away by police.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed several arrests in central London and defended their actions.

“A total of 52 arrests were made today for offenses including brawling, public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. All of these individuals remain in custody,” police said in a press release.

Met defends arrests

Commander Karen Findlay, who is leading the police operation, said in the press release: “We absolutely understand the public’s concern following the arrests we made this morning.

“Protest is lawful and can be disruptive. We have monitored numerous non-interventional protests leading up to and during the coronation.

“Our duty is to do so in an appropriate manner, in accordance with relevant legislation. We also have a duty to intervene when protests can become criminal and cause serious disruption.

“It depends on the context. The coronation is an event that happens only once in a generation, and that is a key aspect of our assessment.

Human Rights Watch, a nonprofit campaigning group, said earlier on Saturday that the coronation arrests were “something you would expect in Moscow and not London,” according to a PA Media statement.

Anti-monarchy groups have expressed concern over the treatment of protesters.

The Republic claimed they were expecting between 1,500 and 2,000 people to join the group at their protest in Trafalgar Square, south of the royal processional route.

“Instead of a coronation, we want an election. Instead of Charles, we want an election. It’s that simple,” the group tweeted on Saturday.

Growing police powers

The Metropolitan Police, the UK’s largest police force, have come under scrutiny for their crackdown on coronation protests.

“Our tolerance for disruption, whether by protest or otherwise, will be low,” the force wrote on Twitter this week. “We will crack down on anyone who intends to undermine this celebration.”

Ahead of the event, the Met said more than 11,500 police officers would be deployed across London on Saturday, making the coronation the largest single-day deployment in decades.

In the operation – dubbed the Golden Orb – officers lined the procession route, managed crowds and roadblocks, protected high-profile individuals and conducted searches with special teams.

There are also plans to use facial recognition technology in central London, which has drawn criticism from human rights groups.

Protesters gathered in central London on Saturday.

“We all have the right to live our lives without being observed and monitored, but everyone at the coronation risks having their faces scanned by repressive facial recognition technology,” Emmanuelle Andrews of human rights group Liberty said on Twitter.

The operation comes amid growing concerns about the increasing power of the police to quell dissent in the UK following the recent introduction of controversial legislation.

Over the past year, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has been significantly “expanded”.[ed] the range of circumstances in which police can impose conditions on a protest.” Under the new law, it is a criminal offense for protesters to “cause intentionally or recklessly[e] public nuisance” – including causing “serious nuisance”.

In a statement to CNN, Liberty said this law made it “much harder for people to stand up for what they believe without facing the risk of criminalization.”

On Tuesday, a new law called the Public Order Act received royal assent from King Charles, which is a formality and the final hurdle before a bill goes into effect.

It will “give police the powers to prevent disruption to major sporting and cultural events taking place in England and Wales this summer,” Britain’s Home Office said in a statement.

Concrete measures in the law were introduced from Wednesday.

Under that law, long-standing protest tactics like lockdown – in which protesters physically attach themselves to things like buildings – could result in a six-month jail sentence or an “unlimited fine,” the Home Office said.