The coronation of King Charles III takes place on Saturday, but the celebrations last for three days. This is what awaits today.
SATURDAY MAY 6
10.30 The royal family and the rest of the dignitaries, including Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria, take their seats in Westminster Abbey. It will be the 40th time since 1066 that a British monarch has been crowned in that church.
11.20 King Charles and Queen Camilla travel in a horse-drawn carriage in procession to Westminster Abbey.
12.00 The service begins led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Several of the traditions have roots hundreds of years back in time. Among other things, King Charles may receive the royal regalia, including two spiers and the royal apple, and take the royal oath. He is anointed on his head, chest and hands with an oil made from olives from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
That part of the ceremony takes place out of sight behind a screen because it is considered so sacred. Then the archbishop places the royal crown on Charles’ head and the regent sits on the throne itself.
Then follows perhaps the most criticized moment during the coronation – the entire British population has been asked to swear an oath of allegiance to the king in unison at home in front of the televisions or out in the streets and squares.
After the king’s coronation, a similar ceremony takes place for Queen Camilla, but on a smaller scale.
14.00 The royal couple is driven in a horse-drawn carriage from the 18th century through the streets of London back to Buckingham Palace. This time the procession is slightly larger and several of the royals present follow behind the king and queen.
15.30 Charles and Camilla come out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace and receive the people’s cheers while warplanes from the army, navy and air force fly over the palace.