CORONATION   🇬🇧 👑

Live editing & updating by Joseph Kizza
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Britain's first coronation in 70 years on Saturday saw Charles III crowned King and his wife of 18 years Camilla enthroned as Queen. Scroll down this page to relive how the intricate ceremony unfolded.

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 4:30 PM |  It's a wrap! 

And that's it for our text coverage here. Thank you for following along.

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 4:24 PM |  Balcony greetings 

Finally on the Buckingham Palace balcony, the King and Queen greet the crowd below them. Charles III is wearing the Imperial state Crown while Camilla has on a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown.

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 3:47 PM |  Balcony fly-past 

As is tradition, the new monarch (King Charles III) will greet the crowds in The Mall up from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. I have read that this has happened since the enthronement of Edward VII 121 years ago in 1902.

The King and Queen will be joined on the balcony with members of the Royal Family for also a fly-past involving 68 aircraft.

The fly-past is planned to last six minutes and it will involve members of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, a display that will culminate in a display by the Red Arrows.
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 3:40 PM |  King and Queen arrive at Palace 

Right about on schedule. It has been a majestic affair in central London.

According to the programme, once back at Buckingham Palace, the newly crowned King and Queen are to head to the west terrace and it is here that they are to receive a Royal Salute and three cheers from military personnel who were on parade.

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 3:12 PM |  King and Queen return to Palace 

And the procession back to the Palace begins in earnest.

They are doing the reverse of the route by which they came. And if you thought you have seen enough detail, check this out.

This time, they are journeying back to the Palace in the Gold State Coach, which was built in 1762 and has been used in every coronation since that of William IV in 1831.

Beat that!

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 3:06 PM |  King and Queen leave the Abbey 

On his way out, King Charles III is greeted at the Great West door by faith leaders and representatives, who collective say:

"Your Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good."

Next, the monarch is greeted by the Governors-General.

Then the music plays to see out this meticulously organised coronation service.

Once the King and Queen step out, the bells of Westminster Abbey are sounded.

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 2:57 PM |  Coronation Procession under way 

The King and Queen emerge from the St Edward's Chapel for the Coronation Procession that will see them leave Westminster Abbey and back to Buckingham Palace to an expectant crowd lining the 2km stretch outside.

It has been raining, by the way.

After the choir sings Te Deum laudamus, a fanfare sounds, and everyone gets on their feet to sing the National Anthem:

God save our gracious King,
long live our noble King,
God save The King!
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 2:41 PM 

It is music time now as the newly crowned King and Queen are escorted into the St Edward's Chapel, which is behind the high altar to prepare for the Coronation Procession. Their next destination: back to Buckingham Palace.

The choir then launches into beautiful and soothing classical music pieces.
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 2:28 PM 

Now that the King and Queen have been crowned, it is back to the normal service as we know it.
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 2:25 PM  |  QUEEN ENTHRONED 

We are not done with the enthronement duties. It is now the turn of King Charles III's wife of 18 years, Camilla.

The Archbishop of Canterbury anoints The Queen and says: "Be your head anointed with holy oil. Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness; hear our prayer this day for thy servant Camilla, whom in thy name, and with all devotion, we consecrate our Queen; make her strong in faith and love, defend her on every side, and guide her in truth and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

The Queen's ring is brought from the Altar by the Keeper of the Jewel House. The Queen touches the ring. The Archbishop says: "Receive this ring, a symbol of royal dignity and a sign of the covenant sworn this day."

The Crown is brought from the altar. The Queen is crowned by the Archbishop, who says:

"Ay thy servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled by thine abundant grace and with all princely virtues; reign in her heart, O King of love, that, being certain of thy protection, she may be crowned with thy gracious favour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

The Queen's sceptre and rod are brought from the altar by The Rt Rev. and Rt Hon. the Lord Chartres GCVO and The Rt Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin CD MBE, Bishop of Dover. The Queen touches them in turn. The Archbishop says:

"Receive the royal sceptre. Receive the Rod of equity and mercy. May the Spirit guide you in wisdom and grace, that, by your service and ministry, justice and mercy may be seen in all the earth."

The Queen is enthroned, escorted by the Archbishops and Bishops Assistant.

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 2:13 PM  |  Enthroning and homage 

The King is enthroned and then escorted by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and Bishops Assistant, surrounded by Great Officers of State. The Archbishop of Canterbury says:

"Stand firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity, which is yours by the authority of Almighty God. May that same God, whose throne endures for ever, establish your throne in righteousness, that it may stand fast for evermore."

The Archbishop kneels before The King and says: "I, Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be faithful and true, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, our Sovereign Lord, Defender of the Faith; and unto your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God."

The Prince of Wales kneels before The King and says: "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."

Everyone stands. The Archbishop says: "I now invite those who wish to offer their support to do so, with a moment of private reflection, by joining in saying 'God save King Charles' at the end, or, for those with the words before them, to recite them in full."

All respond. "I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God."

A fanfare is sounded, after which the Archbishop says: "God save The King!"

All respond: "God save King Charles! Long live King Charles! May The King live for ever!"
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 2:06 PM  |  CHARLES III IS CROWNED KING 

Just moments after the crowning of Charles as king, the bells of the Abbey are rung.

A gun salute is fired by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery on Horse Guards Parade.

This is accompanied by gun salutes at His Majesty's Fortress the Tower of London fired by the Honourable Artillery Company, and at Saluting Stations throughout the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and Ships at Sea.

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 2:00 PM  |  CHARLES III IS CROWNED KING 

And now the crowning moment.

All stand. The Archbishop takes St Edward's Crown into his hands and says:

"King of kings and Lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this Crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles, upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be crowned with thy gracious favour and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues; through him who liveth and reigneth supreme over all things, one God, world without end. Amen."

The Archbishop crowns The King and says: "God save The King!"

All respond: "God save The King!"

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 1:58 PM  |  The investiture 

The Jewelled Sword of Offering is placed into The King's right hand. The Archbishop says:

"Receive this kingly Sword: may it be to you and to all who witness these things, a sign and symbol not of judgement, but of justice; not of might, but of mercy."

The King rises. The Sword is put upon The King, and he sits. The Archbishop says:

"With this sword do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the holy Church of God and all people of goodwill, help and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order: that doing these things you may be glorious in all virtue; and so faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this life, that you may reign for ever with him in the life which is to come. Amen."

The King stands and offers the Sword at the Altar, where it is received by the Dean. The King returns to the Coronation Chair. The Sword is redeemed and is returned to the Lord President of the Council.

The Armills are brought from the Altar by the Right Honourable the Lord Kamall. The King touches them, and the Archbishop says:

"Receive the Bracelets of sincerity and wisdom, tokens of the Lord's protection embracing you on every side.

"The Robe Royal is brought to The King by the Right Honourable the Baroness Merron. The Stole Royal is presented to The King by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The King is invested and sits in the Coronation Chair. The Archbishop says:

"Receive this Robe: may the Lord clothe you with the robe of righteousness, and with the garments of salvation.

The Orb is brought from the Altar by the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan. The Archbishop of Canterbury places it in The King's right hand and says:

"Receive this Orb, set under the Cross, and remember always that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our God, and of his Christ.

The Orb is returned to the Altar. The Ring is brought from the Altar by the Right Honourable the Lord Patel KT. The King touches the Ring and the Archbishop says:

"Receive this Ring, symbol of kingly dignity and a sign of the covenant sworn this day, between God and King, King and people.

The Glove is brought forward by the Right Honourable the Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE. The Glove is put upon The King's right hand. The Archbishop says:

"Receive this Glove, that you may hold authority with gentleness and grace; trusting not in your own power but in the mercy of God.

The Sceptre with Cross and the Sceptre with Dove are brought from the Altar by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Archbishop of Wales. The Archbishop of Canterbury delivers them into The King's right and left hands, and says:

"Receive the Royal Sceptre, the ensign of kingly power and justice; and the Rod of equity and mercy, a symbol of covenant and peace. May the Spirit of the Lord who anointed Jesus at his baptism, so anoint you this day, that you might exercise authority with wisdom, and direct your counsels with grace; that by your service and ministry to all your people, justice and mercy may be seen in all the earth."
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 1:56 PM  |  The investiture 

During the chant, the Lord President of the Council exchanges the Sword of State for the Jewelled Sword of Offering, and delivers it to the Archbishop, who says:

"Hear our prayers, O Lord, we beseech thee, and so direct and support thy servant King Charles, that he may not bear the Sword in vain; but may use it as the minister of God to resist evil and defend the good, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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 1:55 PM  |  The investiture 

Next up on this elaborate coronation programme is the investiture.

The King rises and is vested with the Colobium Sindonis, Supertunica, and Girdle. He then sits in the Coronation Chair.

The Spurs are brought from the Altar by the Lord Great Chamberlain. The King touches them, and the Archbishop says: "Receive these spurs, symbols of military honour and chivalry, that you may be a brave advocate for those in need."

Then the Byzantine Chant Ensemble sings.
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 1:51 PM  |  Anointing of King 

During the anthem, the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints The King in the form of a cross: on the palm of both hands, saying: "Be your hands anointed with holy oil. Be your breast anointed with holy oil. Be your head anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed. And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, so may you be anointed, blessed, and consecrated King over the peoples, whom the Lord your God has given you to rule and govern; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, the Anointing Screen is removed by handlers.

The King kneels before the altar and the Archbishop says:

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who by his Father was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, by his holy anointing pour down upon your head and heart the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and prosper the works of your hands: that by the assistance of his heavenly grace you may govern and preserve the peoples committed to your charge in wealth, peace, and godliness; and after a long and glorious course of ruling a temporal kingdom wisely, justly, and religiously, you may at last be made partaker of an eternal kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

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 1:49 PM  |  Anointing of King 

And the ritual continues, ladies and gentlemen.

King is divested of the Robe of State, and moves to sit in the Coronation Chair. The Anointing Screen, borne by representatives of the Household Division, is held around the Coronation Chair.

The choir sings Zadok the Priest, a British Anthem composed by George Frideric Handel. It was originally composed for the Coronation of George II (1727).
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 1:42 PM  |  Anointing of King 

It is a brief sermon from the Archbishop.

And now the anointing.

Their Majesties kneel at the Chairs of Estate. Some in the congregation kneel while others choose to remain seated. The choir sings (in English, Welsh, Gaelic, and Irish, by the way.)

The Archbishop in Jerusalem receives the Ampulla from the Dean and then the Archbishop of Canterbury says:

"Blessed art thou, Sovereign God, upholding with thy grace all who are called to thy service. Thy prophets of old anointed priests and kings to serve in thy name and in the fullness of time thine only Son was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the Christ, the Saviour and Servant of all.

"By the power of the same Spirit, grant that this holy oil may be for thy servant Charles a sign of joy and gladness; that as King he may know the abundance of thy grace and the power of thy mercy, and that we may be made a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for thine own possession. Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation, now and for ever. Amen."
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 1:35 PM  |  Archbishop preaches sermon 

All sit and Archbishop Welby begins his sermon.
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 1:34 PM 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rises and comes forward to read the Epistle. It is a reading from the Epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 1:9-17)

After him,  Rt Rev. and Rt Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Dean of His Majesty's Chapels Royal, reads the Gospel (Luke 4: 16-21).
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 1:20 PM  |   King takes oath 

King Charles III, with one hand on a bible, is taking the oath.

The Archbishop:

"Your Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely. The Coronation Oath has stood for centuries and is enshrined in law. Are you willing to take the Oath?

The King:  "I am willing."

Archbishop: "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, your other Realms and the Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise so to do," responds the King.

Archbishop: "Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?"

"I will."

Archbishop: "Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England?

"And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"

King, on his knees: "All this I promise to do. He adds: "The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God." And kisses the bible.

Archbishop: "Your Majesty, are you willing to make, subscribe, and declare to the statutory Accession Declaration Oath?"

King: "I am willing."

"I Charles, do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law."

After taking the oath, the King signs copies of the Oaths, presented by the Lord Chamberlain.
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 1:03 PM  |   Coronation service begins 

The much-awaited coronation service has begun inside a music-filled Westminster Abbey.

By the way, the King's grandson, Prince George (the eldest child of William, Prince of Wales), is among the pages.

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 12:53 PM  |   King and queen arrive at the Abbey 

The two-kilometre-long King's Procession has come to an end, with the top British royal couple now at Westminster Abbey to get the coronation service under way.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is ready to take charge of arguably his biggest assignment ever.

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 12:47 PM  |   The princes and princesses 

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (front), Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (centre) and Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive.

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 12:36 PM  |   About the coach 

So, something about the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, information got from the Royal Collection Trust.

▪️ It was built in 2012 in Australia to mark 60 years of Charles's mother Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

▪️ The crown you see on the top (roof) is carved from HMS Victory oak.

▪️ As I mentioned already, it is air-conditioned.

▪️ The vehicle is pulled by six horses (three with riders) and has hydraulic suspension.

▪️ It has an aluminium frame and it is 5.4 metres (18 feet) long and weighs a good three tonnes (3,000kg).

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 12:23 PM  |   King's Procession under way 

It's a short journey of two kilometres — from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

His Majesty the king and Her Majesty the queen are being ridden inside the  airconditioned Diamond Jubilee State Coach, with a huge cheering crowd lining the entire way.

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 12:20 PM 

It's all going to plan.

The King's Procession is about to begin. The members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Band are set.

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 12:12 PM 

As the guests seated quietly inside the grand Westminster Abbey wait for the start of the official ceremonies, most of them have their heads buried in the order of service books to get acquainted with how the proceedings will unfold.

It's about time. The King's Procession is not far off. It starts at 12:30 pm Ugandan time, which is 10:30 am London time.

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 12:05 PM 

The media crews are positioned inside Westminster Abbey to capture every tiny detail of today's coronation.

The morning drizzle will not dampen the spirits of those attending from outside.

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 11:40 AM 

So it's just under an hour until the king emerges from Buckingham Palace, in full ceremonial attire, and make the short trip to Westminster Abbey — King's Procession — for the coronation service.

I can only wonder what's going through his mind right now.

Nervous?

Jolly?

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 11:35 AM 

In his TV commentary, the BBC's Huw Edwards has described the music being played now by the orchestra inside a patiently waiting Westminster Abbey as "disciplined".

He is right. It's soothing and fine. Stuff of pure royalty.

It looks easy what they are doing, but trust me, it's not even close! At the end of every musical piece, the guests show their approval with a warm hand clap.

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 11:18 AM 

As you would have imagined and expected, this is not just a British affair. The entire globe has been drawn in, and we are very much interested and following keenly.

Well, American pop star Lionel Richie is at Westminster Abbey as one of the big names on the super-premium guest list. By the way, Richie is the first global ambassador for Charles's charitable Prince Trust.

Check out who else has been invited — and who has not, HERE.

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 11:09 AM 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate over today's ceremony, and go on to crown and anoint the new king and queen.

Check out the order of service books 👇🏽 

The patient wait continues as 2,000 guests settle inside Westminister Abbey.
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 10:32 AM 

So as guests continue to arrive at Westminster Abbey and take their respective seats, here is some information for you, which you may know already anyways.

▪️ This grand ceremony (coronation) is the first in Britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised. Yep!

▪️ Charles, who is 74, is going to be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central London church since King William I in 1066.

▪️ Outside the UK, he is also king of 14 other Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

▪️ Camilla, his second wife, will be crowned queen alongside him and be known as Queen Camilla after the ceremony.

Well, a toast to that! 🥂

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 10:13 AM 

Members of Britain's Armed Forces march along the route of the 'King's Procession', a 2km stretch from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

Royal fans rest as they wait for the screening of the coronation of King Charles III at the Hyde Park screens site in London.

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 9:55 AM  |   Roads spick and span 

Meanwhile, outside of Westminster Abbey, these workers are applying the finishing touches to a job well done to keep the passage spick and span as they cover the road with sand.

Smartly dressed guests continue to arrive at Westminster Abbey, where today's long-awaited ceremony is taking place.

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 9:45 AM  |   Good morning 

Hello everyone, it's coronation day! Global attention is trained on one location: London. It's 9:45 am in Kampala and 7:45 am in London.

The stage is set for a day that will be etched in history books as well as in human memory.

Meanwhile, as Ugandans would typically say, security is gulu gulu in central London.

A huge team of Police officers have gathered outside of Westminster Abbey.

On the eve of today's coronation, Police officers were seen on The Mall near to Buckingham Palace, where plenty of formalities were taking place.

Then today, Police snipers have taken their vantage positions as they stand on duty on the roof of  Buckingham Palace.

All secure.

Let's get started.