CORONATION WRAP | Charles and Camilla return to Buckingham Palace as King and Queen

06 May 2023 - 08:31 By TIMESLIVE
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Britain's King Charles walks in the Coronation Procession after his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, May 6, 2023.
Britain's King Charles walks in the Coronation Procession after his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, May 6, 2023.
Image: Richard Pohle/Pool via REUTERS

May 06 2023 - 15:00

Charles and Camilla return to Buckingham Palace as King and Queen

King Charles and Queen Camilla returned to Buckingham Palace on Saturday following their coronation at Westminster Abbey and a lengthy military procession.

The couple will later be joined by the royal family on the balcony. 

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 14:00

King Charles and Queen Camilla head back to Buckingham Palace in Gold State Coach

King Charles and Queen Camilla left Westminister Abbey in the Gold State Coach after their formal coronation ceremony on Saturday.

Pulled by eight horses, the 260-year-old coach will be cheered by crowds as it travels back along the 1.4 mile route to Buckingham Palace. Named the Coronation Procession, the return leg features some 4,000 military officers.

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 13:05

King Charles crowned at coronation service in London

The Archbishop of Canterbury crowned King Charles in a lavish coronation ceremony in London on Saturday, placing the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown on the monarch's head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.

Charles, who succeeded his mother when she died last September, was earlier presented with an array of historical regalia from golden orbs and bejewelled swords to a sceptre holding the world's largest colourless cut diamond.

Reuters

May 06 2023 - 12:35

Coronation: Quotes from the crowds in London 

People from across Britain and the world gathered on Saturday in central London for the coronation of King Charles III.

Here is a selection of quotes from those in the crowd: Michelle Fawcett, 52, a barrister, on watching King Charles and Queen Camilla pass in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach:

"It was a moment in history and pretty spectacular. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. No one else in the world does the pomp and ceremony like us."

Mark Strasshine, 36, from London: "It's great to be able to get a glimpse even if it's a very, very busy event, a very wet, a very traditional British spring weather."

On glimpsing Charles: "It gives you a bit of confidence, it makes you feel the heart of the nation in you a little bit and stirs you a little bit inside. He looks ready for the day, it's obviously a big day for him."

Abbie Dew, 9, from Crystal Palace in London: "They [the King and Queen] looked very proud. It was exciting."

Ben Nash, 34, business manager from Cornwall: "Charles has big shoes to fill but he's done well so far. The Royal family is part of our heritage, it's what we do well as a country."

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 12:05

King Charles, Queen Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey for coronation

King Charles III arrived at London's Westminster Abbey on Saturday to be crowned in Britain's biggest ceremonial event for seven decades, a sumptuous display of pageantry dating back 1,000 years.

Charles succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth when she died last September and at 74, he will become the oldest British monarch to have the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown placed on his head as he sits upon a 14th century throne at London's Westminster Abbey.

The king and his second wife Camilla, 75, who will be crowned queen during the two-hour ceremony, left Buckingham Palace in the modern, black Diamond State Jubilee Coach accompanied by cavalrymen wearing shining breastplates and plumed helmets.

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 11:49

Prince Harry arrives at Westminster Abbey for his father's coronation

Prince Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of his father King Charles on Saturday, joining his cousins and aunts and uncles before the more senior members of the royal family entered.

It had been unclear whether Harry, the younger son of Charles, would attend the historic occasion following his high-profile falling out with his family.

But he said last month he would attend without his wife Meghan and two young children, who will remain in the United States.

Harry's eldest child Archie was celebrating his fourth birthday on Saturday.

Harry smiled and nodded to members of the congregation as he joined the 100 heads of state, dignitaries and representatives of the arts, military, charities and sport inside the Abbey.

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 11:31

Charles and Camilla leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey

King Charles and Queen Camilla left Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach on Saturday, making their way to Westminster Abbey for the coronation.Tens of thousands of people had lined the side of the grand boulevard that sweeps down from the palace to watch the royal procession. 

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 10:29

Quotes from coronation crowds in London

People from across Britain and the world gathered on Saturday in central London for the coronation of King Charles III.

Here is a selection of quotes from those in the crowd:

Andy Mitchell, 63, a teacher from Farnham, Surrey: "When you see everyone dressed up and taking part it is just fantastic. It makes you so proud. It is just incredible to be of part of this," he said.

"My big concern is that younger people are losing interest in all of this and it won't be the same in the future."

Rachel Paisley, 45, a housewife, from Switzerland: "It is a moment in history. We wanted to be here to see it and create some memories."

Antonina Strain, 53, from Toronto Canada: "Having been born in London, the opportunity to come back and celebrate and see the king being coronated is once in a lifetime," she said.

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 10:10

Police arrest republican leader Smith ahead of King Charles coronation, group says

British police arrested Graham Smith, leader of an anti-monarchist group Republic, ahead of King Charles' coronation on Saturday, a spokesperson for the group said.

London police chief Mark Rowley had warned on Friday that there would be a "very low tolerance for disruption" on the streets in central London where tens of thousands of people have gathered to watch the royal processions.

Police did not confirm the arrest, saying they did not immediately name those arrested.

A photo posted on Twitter showed Smith sitting on the ground surrounded by a group of police officers. An officer at the scene near Trafalgar Square said three republican protesters had been arrested for carrying paint.

More than 11,000 police officers are on patrol for the coronation, the biggest ceremonial event staged in the British capital for 70 years.

Rowley said ahead of the event that police would take action if protesters tried to "obstruct the enjoyment and celebration" of a significant number of people.

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 09:49

Crowds gather in London for moment in history as King Charles is crowned

Crowds from across Britain and the world gathered on Saturday in London where Charles III will be crowned king in Britain's biggest ceremonial event for seven decades, a sumptuous display of pageantry dating back 1,000 years.

Charles succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth when she died last September and at 74, he will become the oldest British monarch to have the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown placed on his head as he sits upon a 14th century throne at London's Westminster Abbey.

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 08:28

King Charles' coronation to blend ancient ritual with modern Britain

The coronation of King Charles will seek to blend the ancient ritual of a ceremony that dates back for almost 1,000 years with the modern, more diverse face of Britain and its many faiths, the Order of Service makes clear.

Watched by about 100 heads of state and dignitaries, Charles will be crowned on Saturday at Westminster Abbey, which has staged all coronations since William the Conqueror back in 1066.

The Order of Service says the rite of coronation has been modified through the centuries, adapting to changing needs, and Charles' ceremony will for the first time include a procession of faith leaders and the involvement of those who "reflect the diversity of the United Kingdom and its peoples, in striking contrast to seventy years ago".

Charles, who as monarch is the supreme governor of the Church of England and has the title "Defender of the Faith", has long argued that he wishes to be a defender of all religions and has often spoken of his commitment to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and others.

According to the Order of Service, the king will pray for the first time at a Coronation "publicly for grace to be 'a blessing to all ... of every faith and belief'."It also notes that those presenting the historic regalia to the king, including sceptres and maces, a ring and a spoon, will "reflect the diversity of the United Kingdom and its peoples, in striking contrast to seventy years ago".

The king's love of nature will also be reflected in the clothing of his wife, Queen Camilla, who will also be crowned. Her robe will feature bees, a beetle and a number of plants. 

-Reuters

May 06 2023 - 08:27

WATCH: David Santos, who has camped out to attend previous royal events, says he will tell his kids about this moment in history.

May 06 2023 - 08:00

No other country could do it, PM Sunak says of King Charles' coronation

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the coronation of King Charles on Saturday as a show of the nation's history and a demonstration of its modern character, saying no other country could muster such a "dazzling display".

Charles, and his wife Camilla, will be crowned at London's Westminster Abbey in a show of pomp and pageantry with origins dating back some 1,000 years.

Sunak said it would be a "moment of extraordinary national pride".

"No other country could put on such a dazzling display - the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties," he said in a statement.

"But this is not just a spectacle. It's a proud expression of our history, culture, and traditions. A vivid demonstration of the modern character of our country. And a cherished ritual through which a new era is born."

Sunak said the ceremony at the abbey, where kings of England and Britain have been crowned since 1066, would involve representatives from every faith for the first time.

"So let's celebrate this weekend with pride in who we are and what we stand for," he said. "Let's look to the future with hope and optimism. And let's make new memories, so we can tell our grandchildren of the day we came together to sing: God Save The King."

-Reuters

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