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

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

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 07, 2023, 4:02 PM EDT

Charles, Camilla greeted by cheers at coronation concert

Charles and his wife Camilla were greeted with big cheers Sunday as they arrived at the coronation concert in Windsor, England.

PHOTO: King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Rishi Sunak and Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland and Princess Beatrice of York are seen
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Rishi Sunak and Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland and Princess Beatrice of York are seen during the Coronation Concert, May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The newly-crowned king and queen got a rousing three cheers from the crowd as they stood in the royal box.

Seated with Charles and Camilla are members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, and their two oldest children.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales are seen during the Coronation Concert, May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Actor Hugh Bonneville, the concert's host, opened the show by recognizing Charles' "lifelong passion for the arts." Bonneville got a quick laugh from Charles when he referred to the king as "the artist formerly known as prince."

May 06, 2023, 12:08 PM EDT

Katy Perry, Lionel Richie to headline next coronation event

Saturday's coronation service saw Charles's and Camilla's crowning moment, but the coronation festivities are continuing.

Britain's King Charles III looks at Queen Camilla as they stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony, in London, following their coronations, on May 6, 2023.
Leon Neal/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

On Sunday, people across the U.K. will gather for coronation celebrations in a movement known as "The Big Lunch."

Later in the evening, at 3 p.m. EST, a star-studded coronation concert will be held on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Katy Perry and Lionel Richie are among the stars scheduled to perform, along with Andrea Bocelli, British pop group Take That, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer/songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer/producer Alexs Ffrench.

Perry and Richie both also attended Saturday's coronation service at Westminster Abbey.

Katy Perry and Edward Enninful arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Lionel Richie arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

May 06, 2023, 11:20 AM EDT

Prince Louis steals the show with Buckingham Palace balcony appearance

Prince Louis, the youngest child of Prince William and Kate, stole the show once again at his grandfather's coronation.

Louis, 5, joined his parents and siblings, Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 8, and other royal family members of the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the coronation service.

The youngster went viral on social media with his funny antics as he watched a military flypast zoom overhead.

Earlier, inside Westminster Abbey, Louis was seen alternatively yawning and looking around inquisitively as the pomp and circumstance of the coronation service played out before him.

Britain's Prince Louis yawns as he arrives at Westminster Abbey for King Charles' coronation ceremony, in London, May 6, 2023.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters

The Royals attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.
Victoria Jones/Wpa Pool/Getty Images

The Royals attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.
Yui Mok/Wpa Pool/Getty Images

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis arrive at Westminster Abbey, central London, ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023.
Andrew Milligan/Pool via Reuters

Following the service, Louis joined his family inside a carriage in the procession back to Buckingham Palace.

Sitting by a window, Louis was seen waving and looking out at the crowds gathered to watch his family's historic day.

Prince Louis and Prince George travel towards Buckingham Palace following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony in London, May 6, 2023.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/POOL via Reuters

Prince Louis travels towards Buckingham Palace following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony in London, May 6, 2023.
Sebastien Bozon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Page of Honour Prince George depart the Coronation service of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

May 06, 2023, 11:20 AM EDT

See Charles today compared to Queen Elizabeth in 1953

Charles' coronation Saturday immediately drew comparisons to the last coronation that took place 70 years ago, that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

After a coronation service at Westminster Abbey that closely followed his mom's ceremony -- with notable differences included -- Charles appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where his mom waved to her subjects so many times during her 70-year reign.

In one photo, Charles is seen waving his right hand exactly as the queen did on June 2, 1953.

PHOTO: Split photo show Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh wave at the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace after Elizabeth's coronation, June 2, 1953, on top, and King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Split photo show Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh wave at the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace after Elizabeth's coronation, June 2, 1953, on top, and King Charles III and Queen Camilla can be seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony ahead of the flypast during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Top:Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images;Bottom:Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

In the photo, Camilla stands to Charles' left, just as Charles' father, Prince Philip, stood next to the queen at her coronation.

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