Extraordinary photos from King Charles III’s coronation

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been crowned, with large crowds in London and elsewhere across the country celebrating the historic moment.

The day began with a formal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, featuring ornate carriages and thousands of troops. It ended with a fly-past, involving The Red Arrows, and a balcony appearance from the new King and Queen alongside other working royals.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the balcony of Buckingham Palace King Charles III after being crowned with the St Edward's Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury

About 7,000 members of the UK's armed forces took part in what the Ministry of Defence said was the largest military ceremonial operation of its kind for a generation. Hundreds of them travelled into London by public transport on Saturday morning.

Members of the Armed Forces wait for a train in the early hours of Saturday morning
A member of the Armed Forces waits for a train to London Waterloo A member of the Armed Forces has his uniform adjusted on a train into London
A member of the Armed Forces plays an instrument while on a train into London Members of the Armed Forces walk through London Waterloo station on Saturday morning

In true British fashion, the procession was greeted by rain - which won’t have surprised anyone at the Met Office, whose data shows it has rained on every Coronation day for more than 120 years. Still, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those gathered along the route.

A woman applies facepaint while wearing a Union Jack umbrella hat on The Mall A spectator yawns as she waits to watch the procession on a screen at Hyde Park
King Charles and Queen Camilla begin their journey from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond State Coach

There were some chants of “not my king” from anti-monarchy protesters gathered around Trafalgar Square.

Anti-royal protestors hold up placards saying 'Not My King' as they demonstrate behind well-wishers in Trafalgar Square Police officers detain a member of "Just Stop Oil" movement during a protest ahead of the coronation ceremony
Spectators wearing waterproofs sit on stands erected along The Mall

In a break from tradition, King Charles and Queen Camilla travelled to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach rather than the older, more uncomfortable, Gold State Coach.

King Charles smiles as the carriage leaves Buckingham Palace and heads down The Mall
The Royal Navy contingent march toward their positions before the coronation ceremony Guards officers march along the street during the coronation procession Soldiers march across Westminster Bridge before the coronation ceremony Troops marching during the coronation ceremony
Royal Guards on The Mall during the coronation procession The procession leaves The Mall and turns on to Trafalgar Square

Several well-known celebrities attended the ceremony, including Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Joanna Lumley and Emma Thompson.

Katy Perry takes selfies with guests before the coronation ceremony
US pop star Lionel Richie arriving at Westminster Abbey Dame Joanna Lumley poses for a photograph as she arrives at Westminster Abbey
Actress Emma Thompson gives a thumbs up as she arrives at Westminster Abbey

The symbolic ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey, with the King becoming the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned there since 1066.

The Orb, the Sceptre with Dove and the Imperial State Crown are brought to the thrones Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales Queen Camilla arrives for her coronation at Westminster Abbey King Charles III walks through the entrance to Westminster Abbey King Charles III walks through the entrance to Westminster Abbey King Charles III stands while closing his eyes during the coronation ceremony King Charles III sits during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey King Charles III looks on ahead of the crowning ceremony Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales The Archbishop of Centerbury places the St Edward's Crown on the head of King Charles III King Charles III wearing the St Edward's Crown The Prince of Wales kisses his father during the King's coronation ceremony People watch the coronation ceremony on a big screen in the grounds of Cardiff Castle Children play in the grounds of Cardiff Castle during the coronation ceremony A royal fan waits for the procession to begin on The Mall in London Well-wishers wearing masks of members of the Royal Family wait along the route of the procession King Charles and Queen Camilla walk through Westminster Abbey after the coronation ceremony Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, travel in a carriage from Westminster Abbey Rain-soaked members of the public take a break during celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III King Charles and Queen Camilla with other members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace

Contributors

Picture editing and design by Emma Lynch, Oli Powell and Andrew Harris, production by Mike Hills, development by Becky Rush and Jerina Jacob.

Images

Sgt Donald C Todd and SSgt Dek Traylor for the Ministry of Defence, Patrick van Katwijk for Getty Images, Daniel Leal for AFP, Isabel Infantes for the Anadolu Agency, Oli Scarff for AFP, Sebastien Bozon for Reuters, Yara Nardi for Reuters, Marco Bertorello for AFP, Violeta Santos Moura for Getty Images, Marko Djurica for Reuters, Henry Nicholls for Reuters, Niall Carson for PA Media, Neil Mockford for Getty Images, John Sibley for Reuters, Gareth Cattermole for Getty Images, Jane Barlow for Getty Images, Karwai Tang for Getty Images, Andrew Matthews for AFP, Odd Andersen for AFP, Ben Birchall for AFP, Richard Pohle for Getty Images, Jonathan Brady for PA Media, Victoria Jones for AFP, Yui Mok for AFP, Aaron Chown for PA Media, Matthew Horwood for Getty Images, Loic Venance for AFP, Kirsty Wigglesworth for Reuters, Toby Melville for Reuters, Dylan Martinez for Reuters, Rob Pinney for Reuters and Chris J Ratcliffe for Getty Images.

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