King Charles III coronation: the best highlights of the day

What a momentous occasion in British history!

By Christina GeggusPublished: 06 May 2023

london, england may 06 king charles iii leaves westminster abbey after his coronation on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by dan charity wpa poolgetty images

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The King and Queen’s Coronation Day was a roaring success on Saturday (6 May) but, with so much going on, there were plenty of moments you might have missed.

From the beginning of the ceremony as The King and Queen entered Westminster Abbey (followed by The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children), to the final balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace, it was an action-packed day.

Guests at the service included the usual former British Prime Ministers and international political figures, as well as some surprise celebrity appearances such as singer Katy Perry looking lovely in pink, who even stopped to take a few selfies.

There were plenty of sweet moments to be seen throughout the day, too. Princess Charlotte could be seen holding Prince Louis’ hand, and the young royals also waved to crowds from the windows of their carriage during the procession back to Buckingham Palace.

The streets were lined with crowds and well-wishers who came out to wave, cheer and show their support, with many braving the rain with the aid of waterproof macs. The King and Queen travelled in two different coaches on the day, leaving in the spectacular Gold State Coach which is more than 200 years old. Weighing four tonnes, it needed to be pulled by no few than eight Windsor Grey horses from the Royal Mews.

Here, we round up all the best moments from the Coronation Day of King Charles and Queen Camilla, to give you a snapshot of everything that happened on the historic day.

The King travels to Westminster Abbey

london, england may 06 king charles iii and camilla, queen consort are carried in the diamond jubilee state coach as the kings procession passes parliament square ahead of the coronation at westminster abbey on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by jane barlow wpa poolgetty images

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The first procession begins at 10.20am as King Charles III travels to his coronation.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and family arrive at Westminster Abbey

london, england may 06 catherine, princess of wales and prince william, prince of wales arrive ahead of the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by dan charity wpa poolgetty images

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The Prince and Prince of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

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Princess of Wales wears special headpiece

london, england may 06 catherine, princess of wales departs from the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 06, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by jeff j mitchellgetty images

JEFF J MITCHELL

The Princess wears a headpiece instead of a tiara which was designed by milliner Jess Collett (who was supported by The Prince's Trust when she began her career) in collaboration with Alexander McQueen.

Raincoats are on!

london, england may 06 rain soaked members of the public wearing ponchos attend the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 06, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by christopher furlonggetty images

Christopher Furlong

Fans put their raincoats on as they wait for The King to go past in his carriage.

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Fans share a heartwarming moment

a police officer poses with a young member of the public ahead of the kings procession, a two kilometres stretch from buckingham palace to westminster abbey, as they wait for britains king charles iii and britains camilla, queen consort to pass in the diamond state coach, in central london, on may 6, 2023 ahead of their coronations the set piece coronation is the first in britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised charles will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central london church since king william i in 1066 outside the uk, he is also king of 14 other commonwealth countries, including australia, canada and new zealand camilla, his second wife, will be crowned queen alongside him and be known as queen camilla after the ceremony photo by carlos jasso afp photo by carlos jassoafp via getty images

CARLOS JASSO

Morale is high as a little boy has a crown placed on his head by a smiling police officer.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh walk into Westminster Abbey

london, england may 06 prince edward, duke and sophie, duchess of edinburgh arriving with lady louise windsor right and the earl of wessex left at the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by andrew milligan wpa poolgetty images

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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh walk into the Abbey with their two children: James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex and Lady Louise.

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Kate Perry attends King Charles III's coronation

london, england may 06 katy perry takes selfies with guests during the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 06, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by gareth cattermolegetty images

Gareth Cattermole

The American pop-star attends King Charles III's coronation ahead of performing at the coronation concert on Sunday, 7 May.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis share cute moment

london, england may 06 prince louis and princess charlotte arrive for the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by phil noble wpa poolgetty images

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The brother and sister are hand-in-hand heading into Westminster Abbey for their grandfather, King Charles' coronation.

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Prince George fulfils his duty as Page of Honour

topshot page of honour prince george of wales and britains king charles iii wearing the imperial state crown leave westminster abbey after the coronation ceremonies in central london on may 6, 2023 the set piece coronation is the first in britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised charles will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central london church since king william i in 1066 outside the uk, he is also king of 14 other commonwealth countries, including australia, canada and new zealand photo by gareth cattermole pool afp photo by gareth cattermolepoolafp via getty images

Gareth Cattermole

Prince George supports his grandfather in a key role as a Page of Honour at The King's Coronation.

The Royal Family watch the ceremony

london, england may 06 front row 3rd left to right the prince of wales, princess charlotte, prince louis, princess of wales, the duke and duchess of edinburgh with the duke of sussex 3rd row 4th right at the coronation ceremony of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by aaron chown wpa poolgetty images

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The Royal Family wait to watch King Charles III be coronated.

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Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte wear matching outfits

london, england may 06 left to right 1st row the prince of wales, princess charlotte, the princess of wales, and the duke of edinburgh during the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by yui mok wpa poolgetty images

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The mother and daughter wore matching outfits — including floral headpieces.

Penny Mordaunt plays a big part in the coronation

london, england may 06 penny mourdaunt holds the sword of state during the coronation ceremony of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 6, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by jonathan brady wpa poolgetty images

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Penny Mordaunt takes part in King Charles III's coronation ceremony.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla are officially crowned

britains camilla r wearing a modified version of queen marys crown walks behind britains king charles iii wearing the st edwards crown on his head during the coronation ceremony inside westminster abbey in central london on may 6, 2023 the set piece coronation is the first in britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised charles will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central london church since king william i in 1066 outside the uk, he is also king of 14 other commonwealth countries, including australia, canada and new zealand camilla, his second wife, will be crowned queen alongside him and be known as queen camilla after the ceremony photo by andrew matthews pool afp photo by andrew matthewspoolafp via getty images

ANDREW MATTHEWS

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are crowned King and Queen in Westminster Abbey.

King Charles III is crowned King

britains king charles iii wearing the imperial state crown leaves westminster abbey after the coronation ceremonies in central london on may 6, 2023 the set piece coronation is the first in britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised charles will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central london church since king william i in 1066 outside the uk, he is also king of 14 other commonwealth countries, including australia, canada and new zealand photo by phil noble pool afp photo by phil noblepoolafp via getty images

PHIL NOBLE

King Charles III is crowned on Saturday 6 May in Westminster Abbey.

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King Charles shares sweet moment with son

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Prince William kisses his father's cheek after King Charles is crowned.

Queen Camilla is crowned

london, england may 06 queen camilla departs the coronation service of king charles iii and queen camilla at westminster abbey on may 06, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by gareth cattermolegetty images

Gareth Cattermole

Queen Camilla is crowned on Saturday 6 May in Westminster Abbey.

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The King and Queen leave Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach

britains king charles iii and britains queen camilla travel in the gold state coach, built in 1762, back to buckingham palace from westminster abbey in central london on may 6, 2023, after their coronations the set piece coronation is the first in britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised charles will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central london church since king william i in 1066 outside the uk, he is also king of 14 other commonwealth countries, including australia, canada and new zealand camilla, his second wife, was crowned alongside him and will now be known as queen camilla photo by piroschka van de wouw pool afp photo by piroschka van de wouwpoolafp via getty images

PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW

The breed of horses leading the carriage are Windsor Greys and their names are Icon, Shadow, Milford Haven, Echo, Knightsbridge, Tyrone, Meg and Newark.

Princess Anne has a quick change

london, england may 06 princess anne, princess royal rides on horseback behind the gold state coach carrying the newly crowned king and queen consort as they travel down the mall during the coronation of king charles iii and queen camilla on may 06, 2023 in london, england the coronation of charles iii and his wife, camilla, as king and queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, and the other commonwealth realms takes place at westminster abbey today charles acceded to the throne on 8 september 2022, upon the death of his mother, elizabeth ii photo by dan mullangetty images

Dan Mullan

Princess Anne changes out of her amazing cloak into her military uniform to ride a horse as part of the coronation procession, after her brother, King Charles III's ceremony.

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