In a historic moment for the United Kingdom, King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, have been officially crowned as the Monarchs of the United Kingdom on May 6, 2023. The coronation ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey in London, where all British monarchs have been crowned since 1066.
After 70 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, aged 74, became the Monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms in September last year, following his mother’s death.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, performed the coronation ceremony, anointing King Charles III with holy oil and placing the solid gold St. Edward’s Crown on his head, symbolizing the monarch’s authority. The King’s son, Prince William, kneeled before him and pledged his loyalty to the new monarch.
The royal couple made a traditional balcony appearance in front of cheering crowds and delegates after the ceremony, and later returned to Buckingham Palace.
During the coronation ceremony, Charles was anointed out of sight of the congregation behind a three-sided screen in front of the High Altar to the sounds of Handel’s soaring anthem “Zadok the Priest,” which has been sung at every coronation since 1727.
The crowning ceremony marks the beginning of a new era for the United Kingdom under the reign of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, who will continue to carry out their roles as ambassadors of the UK across the world.
