King Charles Coronation: King and Queen appear on Buckingham Palace balcony after Coronation

The flypast was scaled back due to the weather

King Charles III and Queen Camilla appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for a flypast after being crowned at Westminster Abbey.

Charles and Camilla in lavish robes and wearing their crowns returned with a wave to the cheers of the crowds, who filled The Mall after braving downpours to see a colourful ceremonial military procession not seen for 70 years.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined the monarch as did the pages of honour.

Earlier Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at the Abbey, the nation's coronation church since 1066, as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the St Edward's Crown on his head.

After the King was crowned, the bells of Westminster Abbey rang for two minutes and a fanfare was sounded. A gun salute was also fired by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, stationed at Horse Guards Parade.

Shortly aftewards the Queen was anointed in public by the Archbishop, in a break with tradition.

The King and Queen left the Abbey for Buckingham Palace at 1pm. The flypast, scheduled for 2.30pm, was scaled back due to the weather.

6 May 2023

Pictured: First glimpse of King ahead of coronation

Coronation of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla
REUTERS
6 May 2023

More celebrities and ministers arrive at Westminster Abbey

Lionel Richie, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan are among high-profile guests descending on Westminster Abbey ahead of the service.

Inside Westminster Abbey a royal blue carpet – chosen to highlight the red, gold and purple robes of the King and Queen Consort – adorned the dais in the coronation theatre.

Flowers in reds, burgundies and yellow golds cover the top of the ornate golden High Altar.

Britain's King Charles coronation
Lionel Richie
via REUTERS
Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla - Coronation Day
Suella Braverman
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6 May 2023

Pictured: Military band passes the Cenotaph

Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla - Coronation Day
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AP
6 May 2023

Royal fans buzzing over ‘amazing’ atmosphere

Royal fans have travelled from all corners of the globe to watch the coronation, including Jill Huskins from Sydney, Australia.

“This is one of those once in a lifetime things, it’s beyond exciting,” she told our video journalist Claudia Marquis.

“The new best friends I’ve made...it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s more than I expected.”

ES / Claudia Marquis
6 May 2023

Controversial ‘Homage to People’ toned down

An element of the coronation service that gives opportunity for members of the public to pledge allegience to the King has been toned down.

Charles reportedly approved the change which came after a string of commentators criticised the new addition as divisive.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will now “invite” a show of support from the congregation rather than a “call” to those in the Abbey and elsewhere to swear allegiance to the King.

6 May 2023

‘Coronation day is here'

Members of the public sitting in a grandstand in front of Buckingham Palace erupted into cheers after an announcement saying “coronation day is here”.

The stand has around 3,800 seats to host veterans, NHS staff, social care workers and representatives of charitable organisations with links to the royal family.

Meanwhile, standing crowds on either side of the Mall burst into chants of “hip hip hooray”.

Coronation of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla
REUTERS
Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla - Coronation Day
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6 May 2023

Protesters appear to be arrested

Republican protesters appear to have been arrested ahead of the King’s coronation.

Footage posted on Twitter seemed to show demonstrators in yellow “Not My King” t-shirts being arrested by police, with one officer saying: “They are under arrest, end of.”

Tweets from the Alliance of European Republican Movements appear to show the CEO of Republic, Graham Smith, having his details being taken and being arrested.

6 May 2023

Guests arrive at Westminster Abbey

MPs, foreign dignitaries and celebrities have started arriving at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation service at 11am.

Singer Nick Cave and actress Dame Emma Thompson were among early guests as well as Tory MPs.

King Charles III coronation
PA
Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla - Coronation Day
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6 May 2023

5,000 troops arrive at Waterloo by train

Thousands of troops involved in the coronation have arrived at Waterloo station and marched to Westminster Bridge ahead of the procession.

It’s the biggest movement of military personnel on Britain’s railways since Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965.

Members of the Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Commonwealth forces arrived on seven South Western Railway trains and two chartered West Coast Railways trains.

6 May 2023

Thousands line Whitehall as final preparations underway

Good morning.

Thousands of enthusiasts are lining Whitehall and setting up picnics in Hyde Park as final preparations get underway for the coronation procession and service.

Military bands could be heard practising while Buckingham Palace staff were seen adorning its famous balcony.

Meanwhile guests of the coronation service have begun arriving at security check points in Victoria Tower Gardens.

Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla - Coronation Day
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