Coronation of King Charles: crowds fill the streets for the procession

Key points
  • Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets of London ahead of the coronation procession.
  • Celebrities and dignitaries gather at Westminster Abbey.
  • The decision was made not to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House in honor of the event.
It was the morning of Britain’s biggest grand occasion in seven decades: thousands of people lined the streets to watch the spectacle that accompanies King Charles’s official coronation as guests flock to London’s Westminster Abbey.

Charles succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth, when she died last September, and at the age of 74 will become the oldest British monarch to have the 360-year-old crown of St Edward placed on his head.

Officers of the Metropolitan Police gather in a shopping center ahead of the coronation of King Charles III in London.

At 74, King Charles III will become the oldest British monarch to be crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey. Source: AARP / Charles McQuillan

His second wife Camilla, 75, will also be crowned in a two-hour ceremony that, while rooted in history, will attempt to represent a visionary monarchy and nation.

“No other country could put on such a dazzling spectacle – processions, spectacles, ceremonies and street festivities,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“It is a proud expression of our history, culture and traditions. A vivid demonstration of the modern character of our country. And a cherished ritual, thanks to which a new era is born.

Despite Mr. Sunak’s enthusiasm, the coronation comes amid a cost-of-living crisis and public skepticism, especially among young people, about the role and significance of the monarchy and questions about its finances.

The event will feature a range of historic regalia, from golden orbs and jeweled swords to a scepter with the world’s largest colorless diamond.
After the service, Charles and Camilla will travel in a four-ton gold horse-drawn carriage built at Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches in 2010 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

They will travel back to Buckingham Palace with 4,000 troops from 39 countries in full dress.

Celebrities and dignitaries arrive at Westminster Abbey

Guests, including Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave and British actress Emma Thompson, were among those who arrived at Westminster Abbey on Saturday morning local time.

Nick Cave and guests arrive before the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London.

More than 2,000 people will attend the historic ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey. Source: AARP / Toby Melville

Others include soccer player Sam Kerr, who was chosen as Australia’s flag bearer, and Jasmine Coe, a British Wirajuri artist and curator of the Coe Gallery, which promotes and celebrates Aboriginal artists.

They will join Australian dignitaries including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon, Governor General David Hurley and his wife Linda, and state governors.
Representatives from all 15 Commonwealth realms will be part of the procession to the abbey, carrying their country’s flag in front of their prime minister and/or governor general.

The ceremony will be attended by about 100 heads of state and dignitaries, and will be watched by millions of people around the world.

Dame Emma Thompson arrives before the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The historic coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will last about two hours. Source: AARP / Jane Barlow

Thousands of people camped out overnight to provide the best viewing spots to see Charles and Camilla drive to the service from Buckingham Palace.

By 7 am local time, the crowd along The Mall numbered more than 20 people in some places.
Rachel Paisley, a 45-year-old housewife, traveled from her home in Switzerland with her husband and two children.

“This is a historic moment. We wanted to be here to see him and create memories,” she said next to her family.

The police detained the leader of the republic

British police have arrested Graham Smith, leader of the anti-monarchist group The Republic, ahead of King Charles’s coronation, a spokesman for the group said.
London police chief Mark Rowley warned on Friday that there would be “very low tolerance for disorder” on the streets in central London, while more than 11,000 police officers would be on duty, ready to crack down on any attempts at unrest.

Police did not confirm the arrest, saying they did not immediately name the detainees.

In a photo posted to Twitter, Smith is seen sitting on the ground surrounded by a group of police officers. An officer who arrived at the scene near Trafalgar Square said that three Republican protesters had been arrested for wearing the paint.

Mr Rowley said ahead of the event that police would take action if protesters tried to “interrupt the fun and celebration” of a significant number of people.

Anti-monarchy protesters demonstrate near the coronation procession route for Britain's King Charles III in London.

Republicans staged a peaceful protest near the route of the march. Source: AARP / Scott Garfitt

What will happen at the ceremony?

Once at the abbey, much of the ceremony will include elements dating back to King Edgar in 973.
This is a Christian service, but there will be an “unprecedented” greeting from leaders of other faiths, with Charles’s grandson Prince George and Camilla’s grandchildren serving as pages.
However, there will be no official role for Charles’s youngest son, Prince Harry, after his high-profile row with his family, nor for his brother Prince Andrew, who was forced to step down from royal duties due to his friendship with the late American financier Geoffrey. Epstein, convicted of sex crimes.

Charles will swear to rule with justice and uphold the Church of England before the most sacred part of the ceremony, when Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, anoints his hands, head and chest with holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem.

After Charles is presented with symbolic regalia, Archbishop Welby will place the crown of St. Edward on his head, and the parishioners will exclaim: “God save the king.”
Then his eldest son and heir Prince William will pay his respects, kneel before his father and swear allegiance as “your overlord of life and health”.
– a new element of the coronation, which the anti-monarchist group “Republic” called offensive, forcing the archbishop to clarify that this is an invitation, not an order.
Returning to Buckingham Palace, members of the royal family will traditionally appear on the balcony, and a military plane will fly by.

The celebration continues on Sunday with nationwide street parties and a concert at the King’s House at Windsor Castle, followed by a day to encourage volunteer work across the country.

A well-wisher on the royal procession route in London holds a banner depicting the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Not all spectators applaud, the protest is carried out by the Republicans. Source: AARP / Sebastian Bozon

How will Australia celebrate the coronation?

The decision was made not to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House to commemorate the event, which a NSW government spokesman said on Saturday was a cost-saving measure.
The role of the monarchy is controversial in Australia; 55 percent of voters opposed the 1999 referendum on a republic, while more recent polls showed varying levels of support.
However, many public buildings and monuments, including the Houses of Parliament in the capital Canberra, will be lit up in royal purple on Saturday night to commemorate the coronation.
“The NSW Government believes it has struck the right balance in terms of meeting the community’s expectations of celebrating this event while keeping public spending in mind,” a government spokesman said.

Sunday’s celebration at Parliament House is to include Australian servicemen firing a 21-gun salute and an Australian Air Force fly-by.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who arrived in London for the coronation, said he would take an oath of allegiance to King Charles at the ceremony, despite being a Republican.
“I want to see an Australian as the Australian head of state… It doesn’t mean you can’t respect this institution, that is, the system of government that we have,” Mr. Albanese told state broadcaster ABC on Friday. .
In addition to Australia, King Charles is the head of state for New Zealand and 12 other Commonwealth realms outside the United Kingdom, although his role is mostly ceremonial.

With SBS News