The United Kingdom celebrates the coronation of its new King Charles III, 70 years after that of Elizabeth II. The ceremony itself will begin at 12:00 p.m. Paris time and will be visible live on BFMTV and BFMTV.com.
A historic day, to follow live on BFMTV and BFMTV.com. 70 years after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III will be crowned this Saturday at midday in Westminster Abbey. Jean-Baptiste Boursier will bring you the event from 8:30 a.m. from our relocated set in Londonwith our journalists and our experts at his side.
From the procession of the king through the streets of the British capital, to the coronation ceremony, to the first appearance of Charles III on the balcony of Buckingham Palace… Here is the sequence of this ritual regulated to the millimeter, anchored in nearly 1000 years of history.
7 a.m. Paris time. Opening to the public of the observation sites located along the route of the procession. First come, first served: early risers can enjoy the best view.
From 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Guests begin to arrive at security checkpoints.
8:30 a.m. The doors of Westminster Abbey open for the first guests.
From 10:30 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Arrival of heads of state and heads of foreign governments, ministers, former prime ministers.
11h00. The cavalry escorting King Charles III and Queen Camilla begin to assemble for the procession from Buckingham Palace.
11:20 a.m. Start of the procession of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla of Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, a carriage first used in 2014 that will be pulled by six horses. The procession takes the long avenue du Mall to Trafalgar square then crosses Whitehall, the district of the ministries, before arriving at the abbey.
11h25. Arrival of members of foreign royal families.
11:35 a.m. Arrival of members of the British Royal Family.
11h45. Arrival of Prince William and his wife Kate, as well as their children Charlotte and Louis.
11h53. Charles and Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey, where they enter through the Great West Door.
11h54. The bells of Westminster are ringing.
12:00 p.m. Start of the celebration.
1:00 p.m. Charles III is crowned.
The Archbishop of Canterbury places on his head the Crown of St Edward, a solid gold crown set with rubies, amethysts and sapphires, and fitted with a purple velvet cap hemmed with an ermine band.
To mark this moment, trumpets are sounded and shots are fired at different locations across the UK.
2 p.m. End of the ceremony.
The king leaves the abbey wearing his grandfather George VI’s ceremonial robe, in gold-embroidered purple silk velvet, and on his head the Imperial State Crown. The procession sets off, taking the king and queen to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach, a golden carriage used at every coronation since that of William IV in 1831.
14h33. Charles and Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace.
14h45. Charles and Camilla receive the royal salute from the military in the palace gardens.
3:15 p.m. The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family appear on the Palace balcony to watch the flypast.
