History was made today as King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned in a Coronation full of symbolism and pageantry.
The King hosted a scaled-back celebration, in keeping with his new role as 'monarch in modern-day Britain'.
Despite a stripped-back guestlist and a shorter service to that of his late mother's, the reported £100-million-pound event was still rooted in long-standing tradition.
While millions of royal fans tuned in to watch the celebration across the world, some 2,000 guests were invited to witness it first-hand inside the grand Westminster Abbey.
The event brought together around 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe, celebrities, everyday heroes and family and friends of the couple.
The majority of the royal family was also there to support the King and Queen - including Prince Harry who managed to make an appearance before dashing home to his son's birthday party.
In true British fashion, the extraordinary procession was greeted by rain and saw around 7,000 personnel take part in the largest military ceremonial operation of its kind in a generation.
Months of meticulous planning and preparation went into the Coronation and now it has finally come to a close, we have taken a look at some of the best moments from the monumental occasion.
Princess Charlotte's kind gesture
While all eyes were undoubtedly on King Charles and Queen Camilla, their grandchildren arguably stole the show at times.
Princess Charlotte melted hearts when viewers spotted her sweet gesture for brother Prince Louis ahead of his starring role in the Coronation.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913885.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Their-Majesties-King-Charles-III-And-Queen-Camilla-Coronation-Day.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913886.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_King-Charles-III-coronation.jpg)
The siblings were spotted holding hands as the ceremony got underway at the abbey this morning.
During the sweet moment, Charlotte could be seen with her hand on top of her brother's while she bowed her head, and the excited Prince looked on.
Eagle-eyed viewers later noticed five-year-old Louis appear to be dazzled by his mum's occasionwear as she wore a traditional robe for the service.
In one particularly sweet moment, the little boy was captured staring up at his mum, with his mouth wide open in awe.
Reacting to the moment on Twitter, a fan said: "Louis is all of us looking at Kate."
Prince William's heartfelt kiss
In one of the most touching moments of the Coronation, Prince William knelt before his father to pledge his allegiance before kissing him on the cheek.
A lip reader revealed to the Mirror that the Prince shared three heartfelt words with the newly-crowned monarch after making his pledge.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913793.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_BRITAIN-ROYALS-CORONATION.jpg)
William swore his loyalty to his father in a solemn rite, kneeling to give an oath of allegiance to his father.
He said: "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."
He then stood up, touched the crown and gave his father a kiss on the cheek.
The King appeared to be moved by his son's gesture as he nodded and appeared to say a few words to him.
The professional lip reader told the Mirror that Charles responded: "Thank you, William."
Kate's tributes
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913631.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_BRITAIN-ROYALS-CORONATION.jpg)
The Princess of Wales wowed royalists when she arrived at the abbey in a show-stopping ivory dress complete with a royal blue robe and stunning leaf headpiece.
As part of her outfit, Kate paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, as she donned a pair of pearl and diamond earrings that had once belonged to Diana and had been gifted to her by her the then-Prince Charles just before their wedding in 1981.
And it wasn't just Diana who received a sweet nod from Kate with her outfit choice either, as she also honoured her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, as she wore the George IV Festoon Necklace.
The necklace was made in 1950 at the request of King George VI for his daughter, the now-late Queen.
The Princess was also twinning with her daughter Charlotte as the pair dazzled in similar sparkly headpieces.
The Crowning
It was the moment we had all been waiting for when King Charles was finally crowned - and became the 40th reigning sovereign.
The pivotal moment came at midday, when the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the St Edward's Crown upon Charles' anointed head.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913797.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_King-Charles-III-coronation.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29914016.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_Coronation-London-United-Kingdom-13-Apr-2023.jpg)
The King prayed to be a "blessing" to people of "every faith and conviction".
The archbishop had to adjust the weighty crown for a few seconds on top of the monarch's head.
Once complete, it prompted a fanfare, as the abbey bells rang out as well as a Gun Salute fired by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery stationed at Horse Guards Parade.
Soon after her husband, Camilla had her own special moment when Queen Mary's crown was placed on her anointed head by the Archbishop.
Prince Harry's support
While his wife Meghan Markle stayed home in California to look after their children and celebrate Archie's birthday, Prince Harry managed to be there in support of his dad - even if it was just for a few hours.
The Prince was shown walking into the abbey alongside sisters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913836.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Their-Majesties-King-Charles-III-And-Queen-Camilla-Coronation-Day.jpg)
Although he was sat a few rows back from the main action, the Duke of Sussex was captured watching intently as the Archbishop raised St Edward's Crown above his father's head before crowning him.
A few minutes later when the congregation paid homage to the new monarch, Harry was seen speaking the words: "God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever."
Straight after King Charles' Coronation finished, Harry jumped in a car and set off west as he faced a race against time to attend his son's birthday party.
Iconic flypast
It was the iconic scene that came after the service in Westminster.
The new King and Queen waved to tens of thousands of well-wishers from the Buckingham Palace Balcony in celebration.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913840.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_King-Charles-III-coronation.jpg)
The newly crowned couple were joined by senior members of the Royal Family and other members of the Coronation party for the historic moment - just as the late Queen and Prince Philip did at her Coronation.
They beamed as they stood side-by-side to wave to members of the public below.
As they waited for the scaled-down flypast to start, Louis yet again stole the limelight as he was seen adorably banging his fists on the balcony, impatiently waiting for the spectacle to commence.
And the excitement was not over when the royal family made their way back inside – as the sodden crowds started to disperse, the King and Queen came out for an encore.
Jubilant cheers
While the weather was wet, it didn't dampen the spirits of the crowds who lined the streets of the capital for a glimpse of the new monarch.
Some had grabbed their spots along the 1.42 mile processional route between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace in the early hours of the morning – wanting a front-row seat when the newly-crowned monarch appeared.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29913804.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Buckingham-Palace-Release-Official-Images.jpg)
Adorned in patriotic clothing, headwear and waving Union flags, many had prepared for the adverse weather, donning ponchos and popping up umbrellas when the rain began mid-morning.
During the long wait for the first procession, members of the public kept themselves entertained with renditions of God Save The King and pop classic Sweet Caroline, while some of the 10,000-strong crowd poured champagne.
A 3,800-capacity stand near Buckingham Palace was filled with public servants including NHS and social care workers, military veterans and members of the royal household staff.