In Pictures: King Charles III & Queen Camilla’s Coronation underway
LONDON: King Charles III arrived at Westminster Abbey on Saturday to be crowned in what is Britain’s biggest ceremonial event in almost seventy years.
After the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the then-Prince Charles ascended the throne as its latest monarch in September 2022. At 74, King Charles III and his second wife, Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowles are being crowned the King and Queen of Britain with “a sumptuous display of pageantry” reported Reuters. With the coronation, King Charles will be the oldest British monarch to be crowned as the 360-year-old St. Edward’s Crown will be placed on his head preceded by his sitting upon the 14th-century throne at London’s Westminster Abbey.
BFAME delegation visits Lahore Fort, historical sites
We received more love than expected in Pakistan, says Indian bridge team captain
The ceremony will span a two-hour period after which the King and his second wife will officially be crowned their titles. According to British media, the royals left Buckingham Palace in a modern black Diamond State Jubilee Coach and were accompanied by cavalrymen in shining breastplates and plumed hats.
Tourists and locals stood on the sides and witnessed as nearly a hundred heads of state, dignitaries, religious officers and people of influence including the United States First Lady Jill Biden, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Carole, and Pippa Middleton were in attendance, to see Charles III be crowned like his predecessors before him.
Experts have expressed that although rooted in history, the event will serve to present a way forward for the British monarchy. According to supporters of the royal family, there is an “international draw” provided by the family, however, others have expressed distaste for an often bloody, troublesome colonial past.
On the occasion, serving PM Sunak said: “No other country could put on such a dazzling display – the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties”. The statement is not met with the enthusiasm of many who claim the monarchy should fund the pomp and affair from its own pocket instead of from the taxpayers’ money amidst an increasing living crisis and public skepticism.
WHO Downgrades COVID-19 Pandemic, Says It’s No Longer Emergency
Flight Suffers Technical Glitch, Makes Emergency Landing
Global food prices rose in April for first time in a year
PM interacts with King Charles III, British PM
Nonetheless, it is argued the event will not match the grandeur staged previously for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, albeit it will maintain some of its semblances and be “spectacular”.
According to Reuters, hundreds of soldiers in bright scarlet uniforms and black bearskin hats actively lined The Mall road to mass the crowd of thousands gathered to witness the procession. One bystander, Beverlee Moag-Walker, 49, said: “I saw the beautiful white horses pulling the carriage”. She added the spectacle was “fabulous”. Another spectator said, “It was a moment in history”.
According to estimates, over 11,000 police officials have been deployed to maintain order against possible protests or anti-monarchy demonstrations. Kevin John, one such protestor informed the media: “It [coronation] is disgusting and massively over the top”.
After the service concludes, the royal couple will depart the venue riding back to Buckingham Palace in their four-tonne Gold State Coach originally built for King George III, in a one-mile procession accompanied by nearly 4,000 military personnel.
NA Speaker strongly condemns journalist’s murder
Pakistan, China reaffirm their resolve to work together
Shehbaz Sharif, Patricia Scotland discuss Commonwealth affairs
Prime Minister addresses a meeting of Commonwealth Leaders
Among notable personalities attending the service are also television personalities including Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, and singers Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. According to reports, Perry and Richie are set to perform in a Coronation Concert organized later in the day. Also, in attendance are Prince Harry and Prince Andrew however, neither has any official duties.
On the other hand, Charles and Camilla’s grandchildren including Prince George, son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, will act as page.
Toward the end of the ceremony, Prince William who is now first-in-line for the throne as the Prince of Wales, will pledge his allegiance to the King. The Prince, 40, will kneel before his father in a show of loyalty.
After returning to Buckingham Palace, the royals will make their “traditional appearance” on the balcony with a fly-past by a military aircraft, reported Reuters. Although the ceremony will come to a close, the celebrations will continue through the weekend with the government declaring Monday a national holiday to commemorate their new King.
UK prepares for ‘Historic’ Coronation of King Charles III
Pakistan’s Financing to be determined after the ninth review, IMF Chief
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for more. Download our app for the latest news, updates & interesting content!
