And just like that, King Charles III is officially the new reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, including New Zealand and Australia.
The event marked just the second time in history that a coronation was televised, with the late Queen Elizabeth II starting the trend at her own ceremony on June 2, 1953. She sadly died in September 2022, aged 96. She was just 27 when she became sovereign after her father King George VI's death. By comparison, Charles is 74, making him the oldest monarch crowned in British history.
The new King and wife Queen Camilla were joined by their family - including his sons Prince Harry and heir Prince William, who were accompanied by William's wife Kate Middleton and children Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four. Also in attendance were the monarch's siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
Harry's wife Meghan Markle stayed at home in California with children Archie, four, and Lilibet, one, as Archie celebrated his fourth birthday today.
King Charles and Princess Anne were young children during Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret were there for support.
Now, let's take a look at both coronations side-by-side:
Formally crowned:
Following today's official crowning, it's customary for the reigning monarch to make their way back to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, while sitting in the Gold State Coach. King Charles III and Queen Camilla were cheered by fans as they made their way from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace in the stunning carriage earlier today.
Queen Elizabeth II famously disliked the coach as it was reportedly uncomfortable to sit in. Its significant weight means that it has to be drawn by eight horses.
The momentous ceremony generally comes to an end once the procession arrives at Buckingham Palace - at which point the monarch will stand on the palace's balcony and wave to their new subjects. The new King and his wife continued the tradition mere hours ago, when they stood on the balcony wearing their coronation regalia and regal purple crowns.
And, like her son, the late Queen stood on the same balcony 70 years earlier - waving and looking over what was to be her queendom for seven decades. The late Prince Phillip, a four-year-old Charles, and two-year-old Princess Anne were also photographed next to their mother.
While the traditional aspects of the coronation stayed the same, it was interesting to note a few modern changes occurred during the televised ceremony. In fact, News.com.au detailed how, in stark contrast to the last coronation, many participants in the affair were specifically chosen to reflect the cultural and religious diversity of modern Britain, which has changed greatly during the last coronation 70 years ago.
For the first time ever, the ceremony included female bishops and there was even a gospel choir.
.jpg_W9LKMo?tr=h-40)
(1).jpeg_jVYF1D?tr=h-40)
.jpg_W9LKMo?tr=h-184)
(1).jpeg_jVYF1D?tr=h-184)