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Photos: The coronation of King Charles III

By Nicole Werbeck
Published May 6, 2023 at 6:25 AM EDT
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, centre, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the Royal family after their coronation.
Leon Neal
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AP
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, centre, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the Royal family after their coronation.

Britain's newest monarch has now been crowned.

After riding to Westminster Abbey in a horse-drawn carriage, King Charles and Camilla, the queen consort, were anointed with holy oil from Jerusalem.

Many of the crown jewels were on display – in up to 7 crowns, as well as a golden orb and scepters used in the ceremony.

U.S. first lady Jill Biden is here – but her husband Joe Biden is not. No U.S. president has ever attended a United Kingdom coronation. Another famous American who's not here – Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Her husband Prince Harry is, though.

It's a scaled-back event, compared to Charles' mother's coronation 70 years ago. With a shorter parade route and a nod to Britain's many religions. It's also a bank holiday weekend — a day off work Monday for many here.

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

People watch the fly past near Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony.
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AP
People watch the fly past near Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, left, Kate, Princess of Wales, centre, Prince William, right, stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Princess Charlotte, down left, and Prince Louis, down center, after the coronation of Britain's King Charles III.
Leon Neal / AP
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AP
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, left, Kate, Princess of Wales, centre, Prince William, right, stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Princess Charlotte, down left, and Prince Louis, down center, after the coronation of Britain's King Charles III.
Britain's King Charles III looks at Queen Camilla as they stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony, in London, following their coronations.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's King Charles III looks at Queen Camilla as they stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony, in London, following their coronations.
Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace to view the Royal Air Force fly-past in central London.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace to view the Royal Air Force fly-past in central London.
Britain's King Charles III, right, and Queen Camilla arrive to receive a royal salute from members of the military in the gardens of Buckingham Place, following his coronation.
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AP
Britain's King Charles III, right, and Queen Camilla arrive to receive a royal salute from members of the military in the gardens of Buckingham Place, following his coronation.
Crowds prepare to fill The Mall as they wait for members of the Royal Family to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Crowds prepare to fill The Mall as they wait for members of the Royal Family to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Britain's Queen Camilla and Britain's King Charles III travel in the Gold State Coach, back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Queen Camilla and Britain's King Charles III travel in the Gold State Coach, back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel in the Gold State Coach built in 1760 and used at every Coronation since that of William IV in 1831.
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Getty Images
King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel in the Gold State Coach built in 1760 and used at every Coronation since that of William IV in 1831.
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.
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Getty Images
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.
Britain's Queen Camilla and Britain's King Charles III travel in the Gold State Coach, back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey.
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AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Queen Camilla and Britain's King Charles III travel in the Gold State Coach, back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey.
Britain's Queen Camilla, wearing a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown leaves Westminster Abbey after the Coronation Ceremonies .
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Queen Camilla, wearing a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown leaves Westminster Abbey after the Coronation Ceremonies .
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Left) and Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Right) leave after attending the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Left) and Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Right) leave after attending the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey.
Troops march on the day of the coronation of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
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Getty Images
Troops march on the day of the coronation of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Britain's Prince Louis of Wales reacts as he travels back with his family to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey in central London.
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AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Prince Louis of Wales reacts as he travels back with his family to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey in central London.
Britain's King Charles III receives The St Edward's Crown during his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
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AP
Britain's King Charles III receives The St Edward's Crown during his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Queen Camilla wears Queen Mary's Crown during her coronation ceremony at the Westminster Abbey.
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AP
Queen Camilla wears Queen Mary's Crown during her coronation ceremony at the Westminster Abbey.
King Charles III, front center, and Queen Camilla, middle center, walk in the Coronation Procession at Westminster Abbey.
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Getty Images
King Charles III, front center, and Queen Camilla, middle center, walk in the Coronation Procession at Westminster Abbey.
(from left to right) Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
(from left to right) Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey.
King Charles III is crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby as Camilla, Queen Consort looks on during his coronation ceremony.
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Getty Images
King Charles III is crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby as Camilla, Queen Consort looks on during his coronation ceremony.
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales kisses his father, Britain's King Charles III, wearing St. Edward's Crown, during the King's Coronation Ceremony inside Westminster Abbey.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales kisses his father, Britain's King Charles III, wearing St. Edward's Crown, during the King's Coronation Ceremony inside Westminster Abbey.
Britain's King Charles III (L) and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort, exchange a look during the Coronation ceremony. Outside the UK, he is also king of 14 other Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's King Charles III (L) and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort, exchange a look during the Coronation ceremony. Outside the UK, he is also king of 14 other Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
An anointing screen is erected for Britain's King Charles III during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey.
Yui Mok / AP
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AP
An anointing screen is erected for Britain's King Charles III during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey.
Charles is the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central London church since King William I in 1066.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Charles is the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central London church since King William I in 1066.
King Charles III arrives for his coronation, followed by Prince George, at Westminster Abbey.
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Getty Images
King Charles III arrives for his coronation, followed by Prince George, at Westminster Abbey.
St Edward's Crown is carried during the coronation ceremony.
Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP
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AP
St Edward's Crown is carried during the coronation ceremony.
King Charles III arrives for his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.
Ben Birchall / AP
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AP
King Charles III arrives for his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.
Britain's King Charles and Prince George stand during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Henry Nicholls / Reuters
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Reuters
Britain's King Charles and Prince George stand during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales and Britain's Prince Louis of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey.
Phil Noble / Pool/AFP via Getty Images
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales and Britain's Prince Louis of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey.
Britain's Prince George, second left, stands at Westminster Abbey.
Toby Melville / AP
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AP
Britain's Prince George, second left, stands at Westminster Abbey.
Britain's Prince Harry arrives to attend Britain's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's coronation ceremony, at Westminster Abbey.
Phil Noble / AP
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AP
Britain's Prince Harry arrives to attend Britain's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's coronation ceremony, at Westminster Abbey.
Well-wishers protect themselves against the rain as they wait along the route of the 'King's Procession'.
Niklas Halle'n / AFP via Getty Images
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AFP via Getty Images
Well-wishers protect themselves against the rain as they wait along the route of the 'King's Procession'.
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from across the Commonwealth march during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
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Getty Images
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from across the Commonwealth march during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Britain's Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London.
Andrew Milligan / AP
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AP
Britain's Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are carried in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach as the King's Procession passes along The Mall to their coronation ceremony London.
Niall Carson / PA Images via Getty Images
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PA Images via Getty Images
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are carried in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach as the King's Procession passes along The Mall to their coronation ceremony London.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort traveling in the Diamond Jubilee Coach during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Brandon Bell / Getty Images
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Getty Images
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort traveling in the Diamond Jubilee Coach during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Princess Charlotte of Wales travelling in the state car during the coronation.
Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images
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Getty Images
Princess Charlotte of Wales travelling in the state car during the coronation.
Members of the Household Division Foots Guards march on the route of the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in central London.
Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
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AFP via Getty Images
Members of the Household Division Foots Guards march on the route of the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in central London.
Musicians perform ahead of the coronation. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
Andrew Matthews / Getty Images
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Getty Images
Musicians perform ahead of the coronation. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
Britain's Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh travels back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey following the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
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Getty Images
Britain's Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh travels back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey following the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony.
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PA Images via Getty Images
First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony.
Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort rides in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, during the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Carlos Jasso / AFP via Getty Images
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AFP via Getty Images
Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort rides in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, during the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Members of the public look out onto Parliament Square ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
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Getty Images
Members of the public look out onto Parliament Square ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
American singer-songwriter Katy Perry takes selfie photos with guests at Westminster Abbey.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
American singer-songwriter Katy Perry takes selfie photos with guests at Westminster Abbey.
Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
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Getty Images
Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Dame Emma Thompson arrives at Westminster Abbey.
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Getty Images
Dame Emma Thompson arrives at Westminster Abbey.
U.S. pop star Lionel Richie (center) arrives at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of the coronation.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. pop star Lionel Richie (center) arrives at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of the coronation.
Protesters hold up placards saying 'Not My King' in Trafalgar Square close to where Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort will be crowned .
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AFP via Getty Images
Protesters hold up placards saying 'Not My King' in Trafalgar Square close to where Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort will be crowned .
Police officers take away protesters near to the 'King's Procession'.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Police officers take away protesters near to the 'King's Procession'.
Protesters hold up placards saying 'Not My King' in Trafalgar Square close to where Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort will be crowned at Westminster Abbey.
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Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters hold up placards saying 'Not My King' in Trafalgar Square close to where Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort will be crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Members of the Coldstream Guards march on the route of the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
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AFP via Getty Images
Members of the Coldstream Guards march on the route of the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
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