LONDON, May 7 (NNN-XINHUA) – Charles III was yesterday crowned monarch of the United Kingdom (UK) and 14 other Commonwealth realms, in the UK’s first coronation since 1953, at Westminster Abbey, in central London.
The coronation service lasted about two hours and involved various stages, including recognition, oath, anointing, investiture and crowning, followed by enthronement and homage.
At 12:02 p.m. (1102 GMT), Charles III was formally crowned, as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, placed St Edward’s Crown onto the head of the monarch. The congregation sang a hymn; bells at the historic church rang; trumpets sounded, and gun salutes were fired across the country, to mark the moment.
King Charles III, 74, ascended to the throne in Sept last year, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Camilla was also coronated yesterday, in a much simpler ceremony, as she was anointed and crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla returned to Buckingham Palace in a procession, after the service at Westminster Abbey, using the same route they took in the morning, in reverse, with thousands of spectators lining the streets.
The ceremonial events concluded with the royal couple and members of the royal family, watching a large formation fly-past, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, in the afternoon.– NNN-XINHUA