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
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.”
Charles removes robe for investiture
During the investiture, Charles is wearing the Colobium Sidonis, a white linen tunic; the Supertunica, a gold coat; and the coronation sword belt.
He is sitting in the coronation chair.
Charles moves to coronation chair for most sacred part of service
Charles is now sitting in the Coronation Chair for the anointing, seen as the most sacred and solemn part of his coronation service.
The anointing happens behind a three-sided anointing screen made specifically for Charles’ coronation.
As the choir sings Handel’s “Zadok the Priest,” composed for King George II’s coronation in 1727, the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints Charles’ hands, chest and head with Chrism oil.