Coronation day has finally arrived. While King Charles III has been monarch from the moment his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on Sept. 8, 2022, the ceremony Saturday marks a formal confirmation of his role as head of state.
- It’s been 70 years since Britain has crowned a new monarch.
- The official service will begin at Westminster Abbey at 6 a.m. EST.
- Prominent attendees include first lady Jill Biden, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
- Prince Harry will attend, but without wife Meghan and their kids.
Follow along here for updates from King Charles and Camilla’s coronation.
Charles swears on the Holy Bible
Charles is presented the Holy Bible from the Right Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields. The king then swears on the bible to uphold laws governed by the Church of England.
In an innovation that reflects the changed religious landscape in Britain, the king will for the first time pray for grace to be “a blessing to all of every faith and belief.”
Charles ceremoniously takes the “coronation oath” over the bible “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.”
As he places his hand on the bible, Charles says, “The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God.”
He then kisses the bible as the Archbishop of Canterbury says, “Your Majesty, are you willing to make, subscribe, and declare to the statutory Accession Declaration Oath?”
“I am willing,” Charles responds. “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.”
– Naledi Ushe
The Archbishop of Canterbury recognizes Charles as the ‘undoubted King’
Charles proceeds to stand next to the coronation chair during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recognition. Throughout the ceremony, the monarch will face all compass directions to symbolize his place in the world.
“I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?” the Archbishop asks the clergy.
“God save King Charles,” all respond.
Baroness (Valerie) Amos LG, Lady Elish Angiolini LT, and Christopher Finney GC, Chair of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, will repeat the call and response.
– Naledi Ushe
Justin Welby, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, kicks off the coronation service
Welby, who will crown Charles, begins the official service by telling the clergy: “Dearly beloved, we are gathered to offer worship and praise to Almighty God; to celebrate the life of our nations; to pray for Charles, our King; to recognise and to give thanks for his life of service to this Nation, the Realms, and the Commonwealth; and to witness with joy his anointing and crowning, his being set apart and consecrated for the service of his people.”
“Let us dedicate ourselves alike, in body, mind, and spirit, to a renewed faith, a joyful hope, and a commitment to serve one another in love,” Welby adds.
– Naledi Ushe
Charles is recognized upon arrival at Westminster Abbey
Samuel Stratchan, Child of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, will be the first to recognize Charles after arriving to Westminster Abbey. In a formal ceremony, Strachan tells the sovereign, “Your Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we welcome you in the name of the King of kings.”
Charles replies: “In his name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve.”
– Naledi Ushe
Prince Louis attends, Prince George holds King Charles’ robe
Despite rumors that 5-year-old Prince Louis may not attend the coronation, the spunky youngest child of Prince William and Princess Kate did make an appearance at the event. Prince Louis is full of personality. The 5-year-old stole the show at the late queen’s Platinum Jubilee with his meme-worthy facial expressions during the flypast as the royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
William and Kate’s other son, 9-year-old Prince George, is serving as one of King Charles’ Pages of Honor. In his role, he helped hold King Charles robe during the King’s Procession at the outset of the ceremony. The couple’s 8-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte is also attending.
– Naledi Ushe and Amy Haneline
George, Charlotte, Louis:What role will King Charles III’s grandchildren play in coronation?
Prince Harry arrives alone
Amid his ongoing rift with the royal family, Prince Harry arrived to the service early, followed by more senior members of the royal family, including Prince Charles’ sister Princess Anne. He was seated among other royal family members, but behind Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Harry walked in alongside Princess Eugenie. He is attending the coronation alone, while Duchess Meghan and his children remain in California to celebrate Archie’s 4th birthday.
– Amy Haneline
King Charles and Queen Camilla begin journey to Westminster Abbey
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have started their short ride in the gilded Diamond Jubilee Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, where they will be anointed and crowned in a ceremony steeped in history.
They are being escorted by the Sovereign’s Escort, comprising of about 160 soldiers on horseback. The Household Cavalry Mounted Band is leading the military procession.
It’s a much smaller procession than the one planned for the return route from the abbey, when some 4,000 troops will feature in a spectacular display of pageantry.
The state coach Charles and Camilla are travelling in was created in 2012 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne. The procession will take about half an hour.
– Associated Press
Is Prince Harry attending? Where is Duchess Meghan?
Prince Harry will attend Charles’ and Camilla’s coronation today, but without his wife, Duchess Meghan, and kids, Prince Archie, 4 and Princess Lilibet, 1, Buckingham Palace and the couple’s spokesperson confirmed in April. Prince Harry’s family will stay in California where they moved in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties.
Archie’s 4th birthday is also today.
– Naledi Ushe
Harry and Meghan:Duchess and kids stay in California during coronation
First lady Jill Biden arrives for coronation ceremony with granddaughter Finnegan Biden
First lady Jill Biden arrived Saturday morning wearing a royal blue Ralph Lauren suit dress with a matching bow headpiece. By her side was her granddaughter, Finnegan Biden, who wore yellow head to toe.
It was announced in April that Jill Biden would represent the U.S. at Charles’ coronation and President Joe Biden would not attend the occasion. No sitting U.S. president has ever attended a British royal coronation.
The president and the first lady jointly attended last year’s funeral in London for Queen Elizabeth II. Biden wore a similar fascinator headband to the funeral, but in black. Some criticized the first lady for her selection, noting that fascinators are often seen at joyous events, such as weddings. While they can be worn to somber events like funerals, the more accepted etiquette would be to wear a hat as a sign of respect.
– Amy Haneline
Crowds line procession route with supporters and protestors
Thousands of people from across the U.K. and around the world camped overnight along the 1.3-mile route to catch a glimpse of the monarch. The crowd includes both supporters and protestors.
The anti-monarchy group Republic told the Associated Press several of its members have been arrested as they prepared to protest the coronation and hold “Not my king” signs. But on Saturday morning, several of the group’s members were stopped near Trafalgar Square and led to police vans.
Others managed to protest along the route, waving signs that read “king parasite” and “abolish the monarchy.” Police have said they will have have a “low tolerance” for people seeking to disrupt the day, sparking criticism that they are clamping down on free speech.
– Amy Haneline and The Associated Press
Video of previous protests:Police arrest man for throwing eggs at King Charles III and Camilla
When is the coronation concert and who’s performing?
After the coronation is the coronation concert. On Sunday, the day after the ceremony, the newly-minted king of England will celebrate with a star-studded concert to be broadcast across BBC’s channels.
Performers include “American Idol” judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. British pop group Take That, Andrea Bocelli, Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings and Alexis Ffrench will also take the stage.
The artists will perform at Windsor Castle.
Perry and Richie were some of the early arrivals Saturday morning for the coronation ceremony. Perry donned a lilac dress and short-sleeved peplum jacket with matching opera gloves and fascinator.
– Naledi Ushe and Anika Reed
Coronation concert details:Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, more to perform
What time does the coronation start?
If you want to watch the ceremony live, you’ll need to be up early. The official service will begin at Westminster Abbey at 6 a.m. EST (11 a.m. British Standard Time). The service is expected to last around two hours.
– Naledi Ushe
King Charles’ coronation:Everything you need to know
How and where can you watch the coronation?
Tune into USA TODAY’s livestream and follow along with us here during the ceremony. But of course, there are many ways to watch the monumental occasion across the globe.
Audiences in London can queue along designated viewing areas between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey to watch the coronation live. For everyone else, major cable networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, CNN and more will be covering the coronation, with most broadcasts beginning at 5 a.m. EST.
See the full viewing guide, including livestreams here.
– Naledi Ushe
More on King Charles III’s coronation
