The key moments from King Charles’s coronation ceremony
Prince Harry has already begun making his way back to the US just minutes after the King’s coronation, according to reports.
The newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with other members of the royal family following their coronation ceremony.
However, the Duke of Sussex was not on the balcony and did not join his family back at Buckingham Palace, the Telegrpah reports meaning he won’t be present in the official family portrait of the day.
According to the reports, Harry was determined to make it back to the family home in Montecito in order to kiss his son, Prince Archie, goodnight on his fourth birthday – 6 May so did not.
It comes as the Red Arrows performed a scaled-down flypast due to “unsuitable weather conditions.”
More than 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force had been due to take part. But the event will now only involve helicopters and the Red Arrows aerobatic display team, the Ministry of Defence said.
Royal fans notice ‘sand filled pot-holes’ along procession route
Eagle-eyed royal fans have noticed small patches of sand along the procession route today.
Some online have suggested, likely correctly, that the patches are sand filled pot-holes which have were temporarily fixed to avoid disruptions in the procession route.
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Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 15:28
King’s coronation showed ‘diversity of faith’ in Britain
Historian David Olusoga said the King’s coronation was a “huge effort to show the diversity of faith within Britain”.
He told BBC news: “Today we’ve been reminded of the deep religious history of the country,” adding the ceremony had “echoes of the mediaeval age”.
“That sense of continuity, that sense of tradition, as a historian is absolutely fascinating.
“It’s done now, a new reign formally begins,” he continued.
“I think what you saw today was a strong representation and a huge effort to show the diversity of faith within Britain, one of the things that’s very different between the Britain of today and the Britain of 1953.
“I think it’s more difficult with a thousand-year-old ceremony to retroflect the fact we are one of the more secular nations in the world.”
(BBC)
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 15:22
Watch: Moment crowd rushes forwards to get place in front of Buckingham Palace
Moment crowd rushes forwards to get place in front of Buckingham Palace
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 15:11
What’s going on with the protesters?
Harry Stratton, 30, a protester, told The Independent: “We’re here today because we’re demonstrating against the coronation. I just think it’s crazy that they’re spending all this money on a parade when there are homeless people sitting on the steps of Westminster Abbey right now.
“This morning, they’ve (the police) already arrested six main organisers. Yeah, and seized our placards. So they won’t tell us why they arrested them they won’t tell us where they’re taking them.”
A republican protest in Trafalgar Square is being held but mainly away from the procession route.
Earlier on Saturday, demonstrators from campaign group Republic protested close to the route on the Embankment side but that has been blocked off and supporters are now in front of the National Gallery in the square.
One demonstrator claimed police had told them the Embankment side was blocked for anti-terror purposes.
Hundreds gathered in the heavy rain and shouted chants of “down with the coronation”, “down with the Crown”, “don’t talk to the police” and “get a real job”.
(The Independent )
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 15:01
A member of the clergy admitted there were “one or two” hiccups during the service.
Speaking outside St Margaret’s Church next to Westminster Abbey, the Bishop of Chelmsford Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, 56, said: “There were one or two things that didn’t go strictly to plan.”
Pushed for details, the bishop said: “I’m not going to embarrass anyone in particular.”
Dr Francis-Dehqani carried the King’s Chalice and gave the King and Queen communion during the service.
She said: “The most special moment for me was receiving communion and taking the chalice to the King and Queen.
“I lost count of how many times I practised that.
“I didn’t drop it, thankfully, and I handed it back to the people who look after it.”
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 14:54
The Queen shares a joke with the King on the balcony
On the Buckingham Palace balcony, the Queen smiled as she appeared to speak to the King about the wet weather, raising her outstretched palm towards the sky.
The Princess of Wales placed a reassuring hand on her son Prince Louis’ shoulder when they joined the King and Queen on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
While Prince George stood with the King’s other pages of honour, Louis and his sister Princess Charlotte joined their parents.
Kate, with some help from the Duchess of Edinburgh, encouraged Louis and Charlotte to move to their left to stand in front of her.
(PA)
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 14:51
Royal fans overwhelmed by excitement of the day
Michelle Roycroft, from London, was one of the first people to make it to the railings in front of Buckingham Palace ahead of the balcony appearance from the royal family.
“I’m absolutely blown away. So excited,” she said.
Ms Roycroft had been waiting since 7am and said standing in the rain was fine.
“It didn’t matter at all,” she said.
Speaking about her experience of watching the balcony moment and the flypast, she said: “Absolutely made my day.
“The most memorable, magical day.”
(PA)
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 14:45
In pictures: The royal family appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony
(PA)
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Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 14:42
False alarm! The King and Queen have returned to the balcony
After leaving the balcony with the royal family a few moments ago, the King and Queen have returned to again wave goodbye to cheering crowds. The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York were not present for any of the balcony appearances.
Will the King and Queen be out for a third appearance?
(BBC)
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 14:39
The King waves goodbye to crowds as he leaves the balcony
The King and Queen were joined by other members of the Royal Family to view a military flypast over The Mall in Central London that signalled the end of the day’s proceedings.
Originally intended to be made up of more than 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, the flypast was scaled down to include only helicopters and the Red Arrows due to the poor weather.
Many members of the family looked up and pointed at the aircraft while the King and Queen looked ahead to ensure nothing happened to their crowns.
The flypast lasted for two minutes and thirty seconds rather than the scheduled six minutes.
At least 10 helicopters took part in the flypast alongside a Red Arrows squad of nine Hawk jet.
(BBC)
Thomas Kingsley6 May 2023 14:37
