CROWN – This is the image that will go down in history. King Charles III, son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned this Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London. Shortly after 1 p.m. (Paris time), the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the crown of Saint Edward on the head of the sovereign in front of some 2,300 guests, as you can see in our video above.
To mark the moment, the culmination of a nearly two-hour ceremony, trumpets sounded and cannon shots were heard across the UK, from the Tower of London in the capital to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast as well as from Royal Navy vessels at sea.
St. Edward’s crown, used only for coronations, is solid gold, set with rubies, amethysts and sapphires, and has a purple velvet cap hemmed with an ermine band. Weighing over 2 kg, it was last worn in 1953 by Elizabeth II.
Centerpiece of the Crown Jewels, it underwent some adjustments before the ceremony, to be adapted to the sovereign’s head for this historic moment.
King Charles III crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey.
In front of Princes William and Harry
For this solemn coronation, the first in the UK for 70 years, the 74-year-old king entered the abbey wearing the state mantle of his grandfather George VI, notably followed by his pages, including his grandson George, followed by the Queen, in an ivory dress embroidered with flowers.
In the front row, the heir to the throne, Prince William and his wife Kate joined the other members of the royal family, including Prince Harry, prominently alongside his loved ones despite his violent criticism of the palace.
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