His Majesty’s loyal subjects: Royal fans across the UK gather around large screens to watch monarch’s historic coronation as they don reds, whites and blues in tribute
- There are jubilant scenes in Belfast, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and beyond
Thousands of people across the four corners of the UK have come out to celebrate the coronation of King Charles with street parties drawing huge crowds in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast – despite the weather.
The new King became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, dating back to William the Conqueror in 1066, as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St Edward’s Crown on his head.
Crowds gathered in Hyde Park to pledge their allegiance to King Charles III today and as the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby invited the public to join in with the homage, scores of people spoke the words: ‘I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law.’
There was a deafening chorus of ‘God Save the King’ as the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown was placed on the monarch’s head.
Thousands of people gathered around the four screens in the royal park erupted into applause and cheers. Some were overcome with emotion, gasping in shock at the historic moment.
In a historic moment, King Charles III is crowned – the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey
Sunderland joined millions around the UK in its own special celebrations to mark the coronation
People watch Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on a screen
People of Alnwick, in Northumberland watch the Coronation of King Charles III live on a big screen outside the historic venue of Alnwick Castle
But the wet weather started to take its toll on well-wishers, with flocks of people leaving before Queen Consort Camilla was crowned.
In the stillness of the abbey, Mr Welby held St Edward’s Crown high above Charles and, placing it on his head, said ‘God save the King’ – words repeated by the congregation.
A fanfare was played and the abbey’s bells rang for two minutes after the crowning, with gun salutes fired from nearby Horse Guards Parade, the Tower of London and saluting stations across the nation and from warships at sea.
In a change, the controversial ‘Homage of the People’ element of the service has been toned down after there was widespread criticism of the new element.
Cheers also broke out on the lawn of Rochester Castle as the King was crowned.
A large crowd braved the rain outside the castle in Kent to watch the coronation and cheered as the Archbishop of Canterbury placed St Edward’s Crown on the King’s head.
With a funfair, face painting, and stilt walkers, families gathered on the lawn in good spirits, with umbrellas over their picnics.
Iza Oshea, 28, said: ‘We don’t care about the rain, to watch it with the castle in the background is so cool, we love the King.’
Her friend, Katie Bearsby, 39, who travelled to Rochester from Maidstone, added: ‘We were in London for the jubilee and the Queen’s memorial, but it would’ve been too busy for the kids today.’
She added: ‘I love the King, he’s really come into his own, but I really can’t wait for William and Kate to be king and queen, they’re just so regal.’
Fans wait in front of the screen near The Mall for the coronation of His Majesty the King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey
Members of the public gather near Parliament Square ahead of the Coronation of King Charles II
People watch Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on a screen
Among around 500 people who gathered in Birmingham’s Centenary Square to watch the ceremony on a big screen was a 69-year-old woman who was born in the late Queen’s coronation year.
Mrs Arthur added: ‘It’s a piece of history. We just thought to would be lovely for Alicia to remember and look back on the photos.’
Radha Patel, 36, had brought her two-year-old daughter Marissa and husband Krunal to watch on a giant screen in Manchester.
The dentist said: ‘It’s a momentous day.
‘We wanted to watch as it’s history in the making.
‘It’s very exciting ‘
READ MORE: Emotional Charles murmurs ‘thank you, William’ as son and heir Prince of Wales tenderly kisses his cheek and touches his crown during historic Coronation – as Queen Camilla takes her throne
Petra Hirte, 56, had travelled with friends from Berlin in Germany for a music festival in Manchester.
And they arrived in Piccadilly Gardens to watch the Coronation with hats and flags.
Petra said: ‘We don’t have anything like this in Germany so it’s fascinating.
‘It’s amazing for to watch all this. We are all royal fans.
‘This is a great weekend for us with the music festival and all this.
‘It was a surprise for us as when we booked it, the Queen was still alive.’
Fans so started to get beers drinks from a specially set up bar in the cordoned off area of the city centre.
Builder Mark Harris, 34, said: ‘I’ve come to toast the King and soak up the atmosphere of the day.
‘I won’t see this very often.
‘I’m pleased for Charles and think he’ll be good for the country but he’s got a tough act to follow.’
At Edinburgh Castle, a 21-round royal salute was fired one minute after midday on Saturday, as the King was crowned.
Members of 105 Regiment Royal Artillery fired the salute, with members of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots) taking up position as castle guard musicians from Reserve Bands of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and adult instructors of the Army Cadet Force performed.
They played God Save The King after the gun salute was finished.
A fanfare was played and the abbey’s bells rang for two minutes after the crowning, with gun salutes fired from nearby Horse Guards Parade, the Tower of London and saluting stations across the nation and from warships at sea.
The rain held off as a crowd of 500 gathered at Cardiff Castle to see the King crowned on a huge TV screen.
People watch Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on a screen
A woman wearing a Catherine, Princess of Wales, mask watches the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on a big screen in Cardiff
A crowd gathers to watch the double coronation on the big screen at Cardiff castle today
There was clapping and cheering and a 21 gun salute rang out from the castle walls as history was being made.
Children in wellies splashed in muddy puddles after heavy overnight rain threatened to ruin the Cardiff event.
Mum Rhiannon Rees, said: ‘It’s a pity because I think Wales is right behind Charles and Camilla.
‘There would have been thousands here but for the rain.
‘But people’s spirits were high – it’s what the country needs after the last few years.’
Meanwhile thousands of people gathered at events across Northern Ireland this morning to celebrate the coronation.
They included a ‘Coronation Garden’ – designed by award-winning gardener Diarmuid Gavin.
There were also big screens erected in major cities and towns across the province, including at Belfast City Hall, Antrim Castle Gardens, Coleraine Town Hall and Jordanstown Loughshore Park, Market Square, Lisburn, People’s Park in Ballymena, Town Park in Larne and Marine Gardens in Carrickfergus.
A picnic and party with live music from a brass band was also held in the 100-acre grounds of Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, the King’s official residence in Northern Ireland, where there will also be a big screen.
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