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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, 10:51 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 10:51 AM

Charles removes robe for investiture

During the investiture, Charles is wearing the Colobium Sidonis, a white linen tunic; the Supertunica, a gold coat; and the coronation sword belt.

He is sitting in the coronation chair.


May 06, 2023 10:33 AM

Charles moves to coronation chair for most sacred part of service

Charles is now sitting in the Coronation Chair for the anointing, seen as the most sacred and solemn part of his coronation service.

The anointing happens behind a three-sided anointing screen made specifically for Charles’ coronation.

As the choir sings Handel’s “Zadok the Priest,” composed for King George II’s coronation in 1727, the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints Charles’ hands, chest and head with Chrism oil.


May 06, 2023 10:42 AM

Archbishop's sermon focuses on service

Archbishop's sermon focuses on service

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered a sermon at the coronation focused on service to God and service to others.

The sermon was written by Welby spefically for Charles' and Camilla's coronation, which has themes of inclusivity and diversity.

"We are open to the transforming love of God. Amen," Welby said in concluding his sermon.



May 06, 2023 10:30 AM

Westminster Abbey flowers pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Among the foliage decorating the High Altar inside Westminster Abbey are branches from a pair of Dawyck beech trees planted by Charles’ parents, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, in 1978 at Wisley, a Royal Horticultural Society garden.

Throughout the Abbey, over 120 varieties of flowers can be seen. The arrangements were made without the use of single use plastics or floral foam, an ode to Charles’ focus on the environment.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III, center, and Camilla, the Queen Consort, front center, arrive during the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, May 6, 2023.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Britain's King Charles III, center, and Camilla, the Queen Consort, front center, arrive during the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, May 6, 2023.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

After the coronation, the flowers and branches will be donated to Floral Angels, a nonprofit organization that repurposes flowers for care centers, hospices and shelters, according to Buckingham Palace. Camilla is royal patron for the charity.


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


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