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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, 1:55 PM

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 1:55 PM

Royal family watches military flypast

Charles and Camilla as well as William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis have an up-close view from the Buckingham Palace balcony of a military flypast.

Aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force are flying over The Mall in central London.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony following their coronation ceremony in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony following their coronation ceremony in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
PHOTO: The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team otherwise known as The Red Arrows fly over The Queen Victoria Memorial during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team otherwise known as The Red Arrows fly over The Queen Victoria Memorial during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The flypast was shortened from the planned six minutes to just over two minutes in length due to rainy weather in London Saturday.

PHOTO: The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team otherwise known as The Red Arrows fly over The Queen Victoria Memorial during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team otherwise known as The Red Arrows fly over The Queen Victoria Memorial during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images


May 06, 2023 1:15 PM

Harry's trip to London 'in-and-out,' sources say

Sources told ABC News royal contributor Omid Scobie that Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will be heading back to the United States soon after attending his father's coronation in London on Saturday.

"I'm here on the Duke of York steps, we've just seen the procession go back to Buckingham Palace and for Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, that probably brings his very quick trip to London to an end," Scobie said. "We saw him arrive on Friday evening getting ready, of course, for the big day to support his father at the coronation ceremony."

"But, of course, he also has duties back in Montecito, California, and sources close to the duke say that it is going to be an in-and-out trip for him," he added. "Just here to be part of that moment in Westminster Abbey, support his father and then be back at home to support his own family in Montecito."

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May 06, 2023 12:56 PM

Charles, Camilla receive royal salute

The newly-crowned king and queen received a royal salute upon their return to Buckingham Palace.

PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla travelling in the Gold State Coach built in 1760 and used at every Coronation since that of William IV in 1831sets off from Westminster Abbey on route to Buckingham
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
King Charles III and Queen Camilla travelling in the Gold State Coach built in 1760 and used at every Coronation since that of William IV in 1831sets off from Westminster Abbey on route to Buckingham Palace during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Members of the military gave three cheers and played the national anthem as Charles and Camilla, wearing their crowns and robes, looked on.

PHOTO: Troops march on the day of the coronation of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, May 6, 2023.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters
Troops march on the day of the coronation of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, May 6, 2023.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters


May 06, 2023 12:43 PM

Protesters boo, yell as Charles' carriage passes by

As the new king and queen passed by in a golden carriage, hundreds of anti-monarchy protesters booed loudly in Trafalgar Square.

They also yelled chants of "what a waste of money" and "not my king."

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell


May 06, 2023 3:10 PM

Prince Louis steals the show with Buckingham Palace balcony appearance

Prince Louis, the youngest child of Prince William and Kate, stole the show once again at his grandfather's coronation.

Louis, 5, joined his parents and siblings, Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 8, and other royal family members of the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the coronation service.

Prince George and Prince Louis have fun while making their balcony appearance during King Charles' coronation. https://t.co/rMbjncX2Nw pic.twitter.com/EiEFLBYOfk

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 6, 2023

The youngster went viral on social media with his funny antics as he watched a military flypast zoom overhead.

Prince Louis stole the show at King Charles III's coronation!https://t.co/05mKAMt2T9 pic.twitter.com/Lqx6f230Z6

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 6, 2023

Earlier, inside Westminster Abbey, Louis was seen alternatively yawning and looking around inquisitively as the pomp and circumstance of the coronation service played out before him.

PHOTO: Britain's Prince Louis yawns as he arrives at Westminster Abbey for King Charles' coronation ceremony, in London, May 6, 2023.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Britain's Prince Louis yawns as he arrives at Westminster Abbey for King Charles' coronation ceremony, in London, May 6, 2023.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters

PHOTO: The Royals attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.
Victoria Jones/Wpa Pool/Getty Images
The Royals attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.
Victoria Jones/Wpa Pool/Getty Images
PHOTO: The Royals attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.
Yui Mok/Wpa Pool/Getty Images
The Royals attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.
Yui Mok/Wpa Pool/Getty Images

PHOTO: Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis arrive at Westminster Abbey, central London, ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023.
Andrew Milligan/Pool via Reuters
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis arrive at Westminster Abbey, central London, ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023.
Andrew Milligan/Pool via Reuters

Following the service, Louis joined his family inside a carriage in the procession back to Buckingham Palace.

Sitting by a window, Louis was seen waving and looking out at the crowds gathered to watch his family's historic day.

PHOTO: Prince Louis and Prince George travel towards Buckingham Palace following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony in London, May 6, 2023.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/POOL via Reuters
Prince Louis and Prince George travel towards Buckingham Palace following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony in London, May 6, 2023.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/POOL via Reuters
PHOTO: Prince Louis travels towards Buckingham Palace following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony in London, May 6, 2023.
Sebastien Bozon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Prince Louis travels towards Buckingham Palace following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony in London, May 6, 2023.
Sebastien Bozon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Page of Honour Prince George depart the Coronation service of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Page of Honour Prince George depart the Coronation service of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, May 06, 2023 in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

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