Before an audience of around 100 world leaders and millions of television viewers, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on King Charles’ head as he sat on a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey. The historic and solemn event dates back to the reign of King William I in 1066.
King Charles III is crowned with the Crown of St Edward in Westminster Abbey. Photo: AP
Charles' wife Camilla was also crowned Queen in the lavish ceremony, while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak boasted: "No other country can put on such a dazzling display - the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies and the street parties."
However, the coronation ceremony for King Charles III was slightly smaller in scale than the event held for the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was still spectacular, however, with a series of historical symbols appearing from the golden orb and jeweled sword to the diamond-encrusted scepter.
King Charles III was already set to succeed his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, after her death last September. In fact, the coronation was just a formality, not a necessary step to legitimize his position as British monarch.
King Charles III leaves his coronation at Westminster Abbey. Photo: Getty
The event began when the King and Queen left Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey in a modern, black Diamond State Jubilee car, accompanied by cavalry in gleaming armour and plumed helmets.
Hundreds of soldiers in bright red uniforms and black bearskin hats lined The Mall, the avenue leading to Buckingham Palace. Tens of thousands of people braved the light rain to form a huge crowd to watch this historic moment that few Britons will ever witness.
Inside Westminster Abbey, decorated with flowers and flags, heads of state and representatives from Commonwealth nations were already seated, along with a host of other notables.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach. Photo: Getty
King Charles at his coronation vowed to rule justly and support the Church of England in the most sacred part of the ceremony, when he was anointed on the hands, head and chest with holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
After Archbishop Welby placed the Crown of St Edward on King Charles' head, the crowd chanted "God save the King". After the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla set off in the four-ton Gold State Coach built for King George III back to Buckingham Palace in a mile-long procession of 4,000 military personnel from 39 countries.
Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNN, AP)
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