Coronation of King Charles III

Overview

The coronation of the new sovereign of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III, took place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023. It was the first coronation service in almost 70 years. King Charles is the 40th British monarch to be crowned, as well as the oldest. 

Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Westminster Abbey in a procession that departed from Buckingham Palace and travelled along a route of 1.42 miles (2.29 kilometres). The King and Queen were transported in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, an enclosed six-horse-drawn carriage created for Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the 60th anniversary of her reign and constructed almost entirely in Australia. 

The crowning of a new sovereign is an ancient ceremony that is steeped in tradition, both religious and royal. The ceremony, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, consisted of the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture and crowning, the enthronement and the homage. During the service, the King made a solemn vow to serve God, as well as the people of the nations within the realms. 

More than 20 million people in Britain tuned in to watch the coronation broadcast, with millions more from overseas. Around 2,000 people attended the service, including faith leaders and representatives of faith communities, as well as Commonwealth leaders, heads of state, members of international royal families and other dignitaries. The music included a Greek Orthodox musical tribute to the King’s late father, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Following the service, Their Majesties returned to Buckingham Palace in the coronation procession, which included the King, Queen and other members of the royal family. The spectacle culminated in a royal appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for a flypast by British military aircraft, though due to poor weather this involved far fewer than the planned 60 aircraft.

Technical specification