King Charles III and Queen Camilla have exited Westminster Abbey, adorned in the full regalia of their new roles. The Imperial State Crown adorned King Charles’ head, while Queen Camilla walked gracefully before him. Their exit marked the beginning of the traditional coronation procession through the streets of London in the magnificent Gold State Coach.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla exit Westminster Abbey after the coronation ceremony.
The young royals, Prince William and Princess Kate, accompanied by their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, played their parts flawlessly. Five-year-old Prince Louis charmed onlookers, demonstrating remarkable composure throughout the two-hour ceremony. Prince George, their elder brother, served as one of the four pages attending King Charles, reflecting the deep-rooted traditions of the monarchy.
Westminster Abbey, the site of every coronation since William the Conqueror in 1066, once again bore witness to a momentous chapter in British history. Pierre Simmons, reporting live from the scene, provided a bird’s-eye view of the King and Queen entering the Gold State Coach. Maneuvering within the confines of the coach, especially while carrying the weighty scepter and orb, and wearing the five-pound crown, is no small feat – a testament to the demands of royal duty.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare to board the Gold State Coach.
The atmosphere crackled with excitement as the King, resplendent in his regalia, emerged from Westminster Abbey, the bells pealing a joyous anthem. The Gold State Coach, a shimmering spectacle of royal grandeur, awaited its passengers. Four thousand military personnel, standing in meticulous formation, prepared to escort the King and Queen, reflecting the pomp and ceremony of the occasion.
Princess Anne, in her capacity as head of the Blues and Royals, followed the Gold State Coach, adding to the grandeur of the procession. Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, joined the procession in a separate carriage.
Prince Louis, true to his spirited nature, stole hearts with his candid reactions during the ceremony. Yawns, curious glances, and moments of charming distraction served as a lighthearted reminder that even amidst such grandeur, he remains a five-year-old boy.
Prince Louis of Wales during the coronation ceremony.
As the procession unfolded, it was a poignant reminder that this historical moment was also a deeply personal one for the royal family. The weight of legacy and the enduring strength of family were interwoven in every aspect of the day.
The Gold State Coach, the third oldest surviving coach in the UK, carried its precious cargo at a stately pace. Weighing four tons and drawn by eight magnificent Windsor Grey horses, it embodied the weight of history and tradition. The coronation procession of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be etched in the annals of history as a testament to the enduring legacy of the British monarchy.
