• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
culture

King Charles III's coronation: The biggest moments of the historic event

PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are pictured in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, London, in a photo made available by Buckingham Palace, May 8, 2023, following the coronation.
0:57
Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023 via AP
Young royals steal the show at king's coronation
By Katie Kindelan, Morgan Winsor, Yi-Jin Yu
Last Updated: May 6, 2023, 9:54 AM

King Charles III had his crowning moment Saturday as the United Kingdom celebrated its first coronation in 70 years.

MORE: PHOTOS: Coronation of King Charles III

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
Here is how the coronation events unfolded. All times Eastern.

May 06, 2023 9:54 AM

Future king Prince George joins procession

Helping to carry Charles’ robe down the aisle at Westminster Abbey is his oldest grandson, 9-year-old George, the second in line to the throne.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Prince George stand during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, May 6, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters
Britain's King Charles and Prince George stand during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, May 6, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters

"This is a really big moment for Prince George," said ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy. "All eyes will be on him because he is there as a future king. He’s not just there supporting his grandfather. He’s there seeing before him what, unless things change, one day he could be at the center of."

Joining George as his fellow pages of honour for Charles are Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Master Nicholas Barclay and Master Ralph Tollemache.


May 06, 2023 9:50 AM

Princess Anne arrives in uniform

Princess Anne, Charles' only sister, has joined royal family members at Westminster Abbey to watch her brother's coronation.

Anne and Charles were both alive when their mother was coronated in 1953. While Charles attended the ceremony, Anne did not because she was considered too young at the time.

PHOTO: Anne, Princess Royal arrives at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Anne, Princess Royal arrives at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Anne will play a special role in Charles' coronation, leading the procession back to Buckingham Palace following the service at Westminster Abbey.


May 06, 2023 9:54 AM

Harry joins royal family at Westminster Abbey

Prince Harry has arrived at Westminster Abbey, marking the first time he has appeared at a royal event since last September, when he attended the queen’s funeral.

Harry, the fifth in line to the throne, is not expected to play a role in the coronation service.

He is attending alone, without his wife Meghan, or their children, Archie and Lilibet, and is expected to depart home to California shortly after the service.

As a non-working member of the royal family, Harry is dressed in a morning suit.

He entered Westminster Abbey with his cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attends Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, May 6, 2023.
Phil Noble/Reuters
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attends Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, May 6, 2023.
Phil Noble/Reuters



May 06, 2023 9:37 AM

Charles’ coronation designed to showcase diversity

Though every coronation is rich in tradition, Charles’ coronation will look very different from his mother’s 70 years ago.

On Saturday, 6,000 fewer people will fill the pews of Westminster Abbey for today's coronation than they did for his mother's, but it will be a much more diverse and inclusive crowd.

PHOTO: A general view inside Westminster Abbey ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Pool/via Reuters
A general view inside Westminster Abbey ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Pool/via Reuters

“This is an ancient ceremony that goes back 1,000 years, but [the royals] want to use it to showcase modern Britain today,” said ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy. “So we're going to see inside the Abbey, ordinary members of the public in the seats that would have been occupied by aristocrats 70 years ago, and also a lot of diversity.”

“We're going to see lots of women, which was not the case in 1953, people of different ethnicities, different religions,” she said. “They’re really putting front and center the diversity that exists in Britain today.”


May 06, 2023 11:42 AM

Charles, Camilla depart Westminster Abbey

The congregation and choir join in singing the National Anthem as Charles and Camilla process out of Westminster Abbey.

PHOTO: King Charles III, accompanied by his pages, walks in the coronation procession after his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, May 6, 2023, in London.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool via Getty Images
King Charles III, accompanied by his pages, walks in the coronation procession after his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, May 6, 2023, in London.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool via Getty Images

The Robe of Estate worn by Charles was also worn by his grandfather King George VI in 1937. It is made of purple silk velvet and is embroidered in gold.

Camilla’s purple velvet Robe of Estate was designed and created for her by the Royal School of Needlework, of which she is patron. The design features hand-embroidered plants and insects, which were included to reflect her and Charles’ love of nature.


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in culture

PHOTO: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce kiss during Game Three between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, May 23, 2026 in Cleveland.

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce share sweet courtside moment at NBA playoff game

May 24, 2026
PHOTO: Rob Base poses for picture backstage during the 2023 Freestyle Explosion Throw Back Jam at Watsco Center on March 11, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida.

Rapper Rob Base, known for 'It Takes Two,' dies at 59 after private battle with cancer

May 23, 2026
PHOTO: Miley Cyrus attends the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony honoring Miley Cyrus, on May 22, 2026, in Hollywood, Calif.

Miley Cyrus receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

May 22, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News