This is how the coronation of King Charles works

London Charles III and Camilla have been crowned the British royal couple. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the Edwardian crown on the 74-year-old monarch’s head and Queen Mary’s crown on Camilla’s head at a ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

Prominent guests from all over the world came to London for the solemn service. Among them were royalty such as Willem-Alexander and Máxima of the Netherlands and Felipe and Letizia of Spain. King Carl Gustaf and his daughter Victoria came from Sweden. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary came for the Danish royal family, Haakon and Mette-Marit traveled for the Norwegians.

Prince Harry is also King Charles III to crown his father. Arrived at London’s Westminster Abbey. The 38-year-old arrived at the church with Charles’ siblings Princess Anne and Prince Andrew and their children. Because he relinquished his honorary royal titles after moving to the United States, Harry did not appear in a uniform, but in a suit. On his chest he wore medals that he had received for his service in Afghanistan.

The children of heir to the throne William and Princess Kate were once again delighted. Charlotte and Louis sat in the front row with their parents during the service. Nine-year-old Prince George had a special role: he and three other boys served as his grandfather Charles’ page of honour.

Guests from more than 200 countries

More than 2300 guests follow the service in the church, plus millions on the screens. At 11:30 a.m. the first politicians arrived at Westminster Abbey. Among them were French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former British Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Tony Blair and Liz Truss, US First Lady Jill Biden, US Climate Commissioner John Kerry and Ukrainian President’s wife Volodymyr Zelensky, Olena Selenska. In total, representatives from 203 countries, including around 100 heads of state, were expected. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will represent Germany.

Hundreds have already spent the night along The Mall to get good seats. Some die-hards have been camping there for days. Many wore hats, glasses, wigs or clothes in the colors of the British flag.

Coronation procedure slightly changed after criticism of oath of allegiance

After sharp criticism of a call by the Church of England for a public oath of allegiance to King Charles III. the controversial passage in the service has been slightly changed at short notice. The Archbishop of Canterbury, as spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, will now “invite” the congregation to show their support for the monarch. At first it was said that he would “call on” the people of Westminster Abbey and the millions on the screens to loudly swear allegiance to the king. This innovation had been criticized as divisive and anachronistic.

Charles agreed to the change, British media said on Saturday. His friend and official biographer Jonathan Dimbleby told Britain’s PA news agency that the king found the tribute, dubbed the ‘Homage of the People’, ‘abhorrent’.

The planned part was intended to replace the tradition of other royals and nobles kneeling and paying homage to the king. The Church of England said it hoped the significant change would result in a “great cry across the nation and around the world in support of the King”. The people, wherever they stood, should say: “I swear true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to the law. So help me God.” The anti-monarchy organization Republic criticized that the formula acknowledged Charles’ brother Prince Andrew, who is eighth in line to the British throne and is extremely unpopular because of his involvement in an abuse scandal.

Activists: Anti-monarchy arrested at protest against coronation

During protests against the coronation of King Charles III. According to activists, six people have been arrested. Among them was the head of the Republic organization, Graham Smith, activist Luke Whiting told the British news agency PA on Saturday. Photos and videos posted by the Alliance of European Republican Movements on Twitter showed police officers checking some people’s documents. The demonstrators wanted to protest against the monarchy along the procession route with yellow flags and the inscription “Not my king”.

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