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 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.
Archbishop's sermon focuses on service
Archbishop's sermon focuses on service
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered a sermon at the coronation focused on service to God and service to others.
The sermon was written by Welby spefically for Charles' and Camilla's coronation, which has themes of inclusivity and diversity.
"We are open to the transforming love of God. Amen," Welby said in concluding his sermon.
Westminster Abbey flowers pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Among the foliage decorating the High Altar inside Westminster Abbey are branches from a pair of Dawyck beech trees planted by Charles’ parents, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, in 1978 at Wisley, a Royal Horticultural Society garden.
Throughout the Abbey, over 120 varieties of flowers can be seen. The arrangements were made without the use of single use plastics or floral foam, an ode to Charles’ focus on the environment.
After the coronation, the flowers and branches will be donated to Floral Angels, a nonprofit organization that repurposes flowers for care centers, hospices and shelters, according to Buckingham Palace. Camilla is royal patron for the charity.