Britain’s King Charles III was crowned on Saturday, in the first coronation in the United Kingdom in 70 years.
Shortly afterwards, his wife, Camilla, was crowned queen during a ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London.
Charles became king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms in September last year, when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died after 70 years as Britain’s monarch.
After the crown was placed on Charles’ head, cries of “God Save the King” were heard inside and outside Westminster Abbey.
Gun salutes were made across the UK, the abbey bells rang for two minutes, and corks were popped on the Mall in London, where thousands of people had gathered.
After the ceremony, the crowds lining the procession route watched the newly crowned couple make their way to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach.
On the Mall in front of the palace, the public peered from under their umbrellas to see the family’s balcony appearance.
The BBC understands that Prince Harry, who was at the coronation ceremony, was not invited to join his family on the balcony.
The Duke of Sussex arrived at the abbey alongside his cousins Princess Eugene and Princess Beatrice.
He was sitting two rows back from his brother, Prince William – the first time they had been seen together since Harry’s memoir, ‘Spare’, was released.
Prince Harry sat in the third row, among other members of the royal family such as his uncle, Prince Andrew.
It is thought Prince Harry is already on his way back to Heathrow Airport, as his son Archie is celebrating his fourth birthday in the United States.
The ceremony itself was watched on television around the world, while some 2 300 invited guests were present in the abbey.
US first lady Jill Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan arrived in a three-car motorcade, although president Biden did not travel to the UK.
French president Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, were also in the abbey, as were Britain’s prime minister Rush Sunak and leaders of the Commonwealth countries.
In all, 90 heads of state attended, the country’s foreign office said.
A theme of service was reflected in the oaths and prayers King Charles made, and the sermon delivered by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
“I come not to be served, but to serve,” the king said in his first prayer after reaching the abbey.
“We are here to crown a king, and we crown a king to serve,” the archbishop said. – BBC
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