King Charles III's coronation: The biggest moments of the historic event

Charles’ coronation was the first in the U.K. in 70 years.

ByKatie Kindelan, Morgan Winsor, and Yi-Jin Yu via GMA logo
Last Updated: May 8, 2023, 1:42 PM EDT

King Charles III had his crowning moment Saturday as the United Kingdom celebrated its first coronation in 70 years.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla were celebrated in a weekend of festivities, highlighted by Saturday's coronation service at Westminster Abbey.

Key moments:

Here is how the coronation events unfolded. All times Eastern.
May 05, 2023, 2:54 PM EDT

World leaders join royals at Buckingham Palace

The coronation festivities kicked off Friday with a welcome reception for foreign guests hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

U.S. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska were both spotted entering the palace for the reception.

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, arrive for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles, for overseas guests attending his coronation at Buckingham Palace in London, May 5, 2023.
Jacob King/Pool via Reuters

First lady Jill Biden and her grand daughter Finnegan Biden, left, arrive at Buckingham Palace in London, May 5, 2023, for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III, for overseas guests attending his coronation.
Jacob King/Pool via AP

Inside the palace, Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan Biden were photographed speaking with Kate, the Princess of Wales.

Catherine, Princess of Wales speaks with the first lady of the United States, Jill Biden and her grand daughter Finnegan Biden, during a reception at Buckingham Palace for overseas guests attending the coronation, May 5, 2023 in London.
Jacob King/Pool via Getty Images

Charles was photographed in conversation with Zelenska.

Britain's King Charles III speaks with Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska and Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a reception for overseas guests attending his coronation, at Buckingham Palace in central London, May 5, 2023.
Jacob King/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Around 100 heads of state and 20 royal families will attend Saturday’s coronation service.

In addition to Charles and Kate, other royals at Friday's reception included Prince William; Princess Anne; and Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

May 05, 2023, 1:25 PM EDT

Charles, William and Kate surprise royal fans

Royal fans camped out on The Mall ahead of Saturday’s coronation got a royal surprise Friday when they were greeted by King Charles III, Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles reacts as he meets well-wishers during a walkabout on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace ahead of his and Camilla, Queen Consort's coronation, in London, May 5, 2023.
Britain's King Charles reacts as he meets well-wishers during a walkabout on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace ahead of his and Camilla, Queen Consort's coronation, in London, Britain, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
Toby Melville/Pool via Reuters

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, meets well-wishers during a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the coronation of Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 5, 2023.
Toby Melville/Pool via Reuters

The trio stepped out of their cars and did a walkabout, taking selfies with and shaking the hands of fans who lined the path one day ahead of the coronation service.

Britain's Prince William meets well-wishers during a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the coronation of Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 5, 2023.
Toby Melville/Pool via Reuters

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, meets well-wishers during a walkabout o outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the coronation of Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 5, 2023.
Toby Melville/Pool via Reuters

Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will travel the same path tomorrow in a procession that will take them to and from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

Illustration
Coronation Procession Route
ABC News Illustration / Google Earth

May 05, 2023, 1:05 PM EDT

London prepares for once-in-a-generation celebration

Coronation buzz is spreading across London as the city prepares for the once-in-a-generation event.

Tens of thousands of people -- including the 2,000 people attending the coronation service itself -- are expected to stream into the city for the celebration.

For the past several weeks, workers have been seen cleaning Buckingham Palace and other landmarks, building grandstand seating areas for viewers and hanging flags across the city. In the darkness early Wednesday, coronation participants held a full-dress rehearsal for the big day.

Well-wishers wait on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the coronation of Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 5, 2023.
Lisi Niesner/Reuters

Security is also tight all around London as officials brace for expected anti-monarchy protests.

PHOTO: Royal fans who have spent the night camping out along The Mall, part of the Coronation route, begin to wake up, May 5, 2023.
Royal fans who have spent the night camping out along The Mall, part of the Coronation route, begin to wake up, May 5, 2023. King Charles III will be crowned king on Saturday, May, 6, in Westminster Abbey.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP

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