This day follows customs that date back to the tenth century – yet many things were different at Charles’s coronation. All important information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
The coronation of Charles III. was special. The new British king invited around 2,000 guests to Westminster Abbey – at least 6,000 fewer than his mother Elizabeth II in 1953. The two-hour service for Charles started inside the church at 12 noon German time.
At 1 p.m. the Edwardian crown was placed on his head. Then his wife Camilla was also crowned: she was the first king’s wife in almost 300 years not to have her own crown made. Instead, she received the crown from Queen Mary, the king’s great-grandmother. You can find all information and background information here in our blog.
Follow the royal event in London here or in the live stream above.
Decision made before big balcony moment
3:15 p.m.: Shortly before the planned balcony staging, there is now confirmation for the air show. It can take place despite the bad weather, but in all likelihood it will be seen in a somewhat streamlined version. Instead of the more than 600 planes flying over Buckingham Palace from downtown, there will be a reduced aerobatic squadron.
The plans will be changed at short notice due to the rainy weather, as the British Ministry of Defense announced shortly before the scheduled start of the flight on Saturday afternoon. The squadron will therefore only consist of the “Red Arrows” and helicopters. But one thing is certain: the royal family will appear on the palace balcony as planned – and thus present themselves to the British people after the coronation at the end of the celebrations.
Charles and Camilla arrived at the palace without incident
2.50 p.m.: After the coronation procession, King Charles III. and Queen Camilla arrived safely at Buckingham Palace. The couple covered the two-kilometer procession in the coronation carriage, the so-called Gold State Coach. The magnificent four-ton body has been in use since 1762, and driving it is considered to be extremely jerky and uncomfortable.
In Buckingham Palace wanted Charles III. and Camilla later step onto the balcony and reveal themselves to the waiting crowd.
Central coronation moment still unclear
2:20 p.m.: In less than an hour, the royal family is to present itself to the people on the balcony of the palace. They will wave, there will be photos – and actually a planned air show is to take place over London. But as of now it is still unclear whether the flight squadron can demonstrate their aerobatic exercises in the sky. The weather doesn’t play along, it’s rainy and heavily overcast. The decision should only be made shortly before 3 p.m.: Until then, the air show is on the brink.
King leaves Westminster Abbey: procession starts
14 o’clock: The service is over and the royal family goes outside. Charles III and Queen Camilla are driven to Buckingham Palace in a golden carriage. There are a total of four carriages in the pompous train. Charles’ sister Princess Anne rides behind the royal couple – here you can read about the background to her special role.
This is followed by three companions with the closest circle of the royal family: first heir to the throne William and family, then Charles’ youngest brother Prince Edward with his wife Duchess Sophie and their children Lady Louise Windsor and James, the Earl of Wessex. In the last carriage are Anne’s husband, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Gloucester, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife.
