King Charles and Queen Camilla have been crowned in an historic coronation watched by millions around the world.
The set-piece coronation is the first in Britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised.
Charles III became the 40th reigning monarch – and the first King since his grandfather George VI nearly 90 years ago – to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the site of every coronation for the past nine centuries.
King Charles III went with a modern approach for his coronation today, ditching traditional royal attire in favor of a specially made outfit as he arrived at Westminster Abbey for the ceremony.
As many royal watchers suspected, the new king, 74, chose not to wear the silk stockings and breeches typically worn at coronations, a look a royal insider told The Sun was deemed ‘too dated.’
Instead, the monarch wore a vintage Robe of State, a crimson Coronation Tunic and a cream silk overshirt with Royal Naval trousers, per The Telegraph.
His tunic, which was inspired by similar designs worn by King George V and King George VI at their own coronations, was made by Ede and Ravenscroft.
The white Turnbull & Asser shirt, also inspired by King George V and King George VI, features embroidered oak leaves and acorns on the the collars and cuffs.
The monarch — who took over the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died at the age of 96 last year — waved to the thousands of people lining the streets of London as he rode in the gilded Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
The longest-serving heir to the throne in history finally fulfilled his destiny when Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the magnificent St Edward’s Crown on his head.
Those witnessing the pomp and pageantry unfold held their breath as Mr Welby adjusted the position of the crown for several seconds before it sat comfortably.
The coronation was a deeply religious ceremony steeped in symbolism and its prayers took the theme of ‘Called to Serve’, an attribute associated with the late Queen who pledged her life to the Commonwealth.
Before the crowning the archbishop delivered a sermon to the 2,300 guests, a gathering of world leaders, celebrities, UK politicians, foreign royalty, everyday heroes and the royal family. Metro reports.
Mr Welby began by telling the congregation: ‘We are here to crown a King, and we crown a King to serve.
‘What is given today is for the gain of all. For Jesus Christ announced a kingdom in which the poor and oppressed are freed from chains of injustice. The blind see. The bruised and broken-hearted are healed.’
Speaking to Charles and Camilla, Mr Welby said: ‘The weight of the task given you today, Your Majesties, is only bearable by the spirit of God, who gives us the strength to give our lives to others.
‘With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the King is given freely what no ruler can ever attain through will, or politics, or war, or tyranny: the Holy Spirit draws us to love in action.’
Charles delivered a King’s Prayer, the first time a monarch has spoken words to God aloud during a coronation, and he touched on the duty of the sovereign to serve all communities.
He told the abbey: ‘God of compassion and mercy whose son was sent not to be served but to serve, give grace that I may find in thy service perfect freedom and in that freedom knowledge of thy truth.
‘Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and conviction, that together we may discover the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.’
In the stillness of the abbey, Mr Welby held St Edward’s Crown high above Charles and, placing it on his head, said ‘God save the King’ – words repeated by the congregation.
A fanfare was played and the abbey’s bells rang for two minutes after the crowning, with gun salutes fired from nearby Horse Guards Parade, the Tower of London and saluting stations across the nation and from warships at sea.
Volleys were heard at Hillsborough, Cardiff and Edinburgh castles, Stonehenge and HMS Lancaster, which had sailed to Sudan to help British citizens and others escape the fighting in Khartoum.
In a change, the controversial ‘Homage of the People’ element of the service was toned down after there was widespread criticism of the new element.
Mr Welby ‘invited’ a show of support from the congregation rather than a ‘call’ to those in the abbey and elsewhere to swear allegiance to the King.
The coronation service began with a new element when the King was greeted by 14-year-old Samuel Strachan, the longest-serving chorister of the choir of the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.
The chorister, who attends the City of London School, welcomed the monarch in the name of the ‘King of Kings’ – a reference to Jesus Christ – and Charles replied: ‘In his name, and after his example, I come not to be served, but to serve.’
Before the King took the Oath – making a succession of promises, including to maintain in the UK the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law – the archbishop delivered a preface to Charles’s declaration – another first.
He told the congregation the Church of England, which is headed by the King, will seek to foster an environment where ‘people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely’ – echoing the words of the late Queen and Charles.
Charles was anointed with holy oil away from public view, shielded by the Anointing Screen.
The Dean of Westminster will have poured oil from the ampulla – an eagle-shaped vessel – into the coronation spoon – the oldest object in the coronation regalia.
Using his fingers, the archbishop will then have anointed the King on his hands, breast, and head.
Thousands of royal fans have joined crowds in central London to celebrate the King’s coronation.
