Sunday 29 / December / 2024
London: As King Charles III was crowned, gun salutes were fired from 13 locations across the UK including Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, and on deployed Royal Navy ships, CNN reported.
The largest, a 62-round salute, happened from the Tower of London. A six-gun salute took place at Horse Guards Parade and 21 rounds were fired at the remaining locations. The bells of Westminster Abbey rang out to celebrate the historic moment, CNN reported.
After the King was crowned, Queen Camilla received her own coronation, albeit in a slightly different form.
Like her husband, she was anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but without a screen, which demonstrates the different nature of anointing a consort compared to a reigning sovereign, CNN reported.
The Keeper of the Jewel House then presents the Consort's Ring, which symbolises promise and commitment, "marrying" her to the King and both to God and their people.
Then, she was crowned with Queen Mary's Crown, marking the first time in recent history that a new crown wasn't made specifically for this occasion, and presented with the Sceptre and Rod, CNN reported.
Finally, Camilla was enthroned. This was followed by an original composition by Andrew Lloyd Webber that sets verses from Psalm 98 to music.
World leaders among those witnessing coronation
Both former and current world leaders are among those who have gathered to witness the coronation of King Charles.
US first lady Jill Biden attended in the absence of President Joe Biden, while French President Emmanuel Macron was seen arriving with his wife Brigitte.
Other heads of state on the guest list included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian leader Justin Trudeau.
Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was among the over 2000 guests who included members of other royal households.
A host of former British prime ministers were also seen filing into Westminster Abbey including, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Tony Blair and John Major.
