King Charles III's coronation: The biggest moments of the historic event
Charles’ coronation was the first in the U.K. in 70 years.
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:
- King Charles and Queen Camilla's official coronation photos released
- William honors Charles with moving speech
- Charles, Camilla return for encore appearance on Buckingham Palace balcony
- Charles is crowned with 400-year-old crown
- 1st look at Camilla in St. Mary’s Crown
- Charles pledges the coronation oath
- William pays homage to Charles, public invited to also
Charles is crowned with 400-year-old crown
The moment of crowning happened as the Archbishop of Canterbury places the St Edwards Crown on Charles’ head.
At that moment, the congregation sang out, “God save the king,” the bells of Westminster Abbey rung and gun salutes were fired across the U.K.
The St Edwards Crown weighs nearly five pounds and is made of solid gold. The coronation service is the only time the king will wear the crown.
Charles given orb, scepters and coronation glove
Charles is given a series of coronation regalia including the orb, a symbol of the Christian world, and two scepters, one with a dove, a symbol of mercy, and one with a cross, a symbol of justice and power.
The regalia was last seen publicly atop the queen’s coffin at her funeral in September 2022.
William places stole on Charles
William, the future king, places the Stole Royal on his father.
The Stole Royal, a thin band of gold silk placed over the Supertunica, is a symbol, “of the divine nature of kingship,” according to the Royal Collection Trust.
Charles presented with items of regalia
The Greek singing underway in Westminster Abbey is a tribute to Charles’ father, Philip, who was born in Greece and was a descendant of Greek royalty.
Charles is now wearing the Sword of Offering, a symbol of the protection of good and the punishment of evil. He is also presented with the Armills, referred to as the “bracelets of sincerity and wisdom.”