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London — King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, were both formally crowned Saturday in a historic ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey before appearing on the balcony for a flyover.

The coronation ceremony, steeped in centuries of tradition but with a few small tweaks for the modern age, played out in front of about 2,000 invited guests and a global audience of millions watching on TV or livestream.

Though Charles officially became king following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Sept. 8, 2022, today’s coronation ceremony consecrated and celebrated his ascent to the throne.

The balcony moment

King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace Saturday with other senior members of their family to watch a military fly-past and greet members of the public. They were joined by other “working” members of the royal family, including William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children.

As part of the “slimmed down” coronation day events requested by the king, not all members of their large family joined them.

King Charles should reach out to Harry, royal-watcher says

As King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their way back to Buckingham Palace following the coronation ceremony, CBS News spoke with Evening Standard columnist and broadcaster Ayesha Hazarika about the future of the royal family. She suggested that the king should reach out to his son, Prince Harry, to help move the monarchy forward in the modern era.

Prince Harry will not attend private lunch

Prince Harry will not appear at the private lunch for royal family members, CBS News contributor Tina Brown confirmed. He also did not appear on the balcony, which was reserved for “working” members of the royal family.

Queen Camilla is crowned

The Archbishop of Canterbury placed Queen Mary’s Crown on the new queen’s head and said: “Thy servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled by thine abundant grace and with all princely virtues; reign in her heart, O King of love, that, being certain of thy protection, she may be crowned with thy gracious favour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

William pledges loyalty to his father

The Enthroning and the Homage portions of the ceremony got underway immediately after the crowning of King Charles III. Prince William kneeled before his father and 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.”

 

Charles dons ceremonial robes

King Charles was dressed in the Royal Robe and the Stole Royal, which was presented to him by his son, Prince William. He was then handed the Sovereign’s Orb, a globe dating back to 1661 representing his dominion over the realms of medieval Britain.

The Orb was then returned to the alter and King Charles was presented with the Coronation Ring and the Glove. He is also being presented with the Sceptre with Cross and the Sceptre with Dove, which he will hold as he is crowned.

Arrests as anti-monarchy protests planned for coronation day

Protests against the British monarchy were planned around the United Kingdom for the day of the coronation by the anti-monarchy group Republic. Early Saturday morning, Republic said its leader was among several people arrested as they showed up to stage a demonstration at London’s Trafalgar Square.

“They’ve arrested six of our organizers and seized hundreds of placards,” an activist with the group told the AFP news agency. “They won’t tell us why they’ve arrested them or where they’re being held.”

This morning, @GrahamSmith_ and 5 members of our team were arrested. Hundreds of placards were seized. Is this democracy? #NotMyKing #Coronation

— Republic (@RepublicStaff) May 6, 2023

London’s Metropolitan Police soon confirmed a handful of arrests in several locations in the center of the city, with would-be protesters facing charges including “conspiracy to cause public nuisance” and “possessing articles to cause criminal damage.”

The police said they had seized “lock-on devices,” referring to items that protesters might use to fix themselves to immovable objects.

Earlier today we arrested four people in the area of St Martin’s Lane.

They were held on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.

We seized lock-on devices.

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 6, 2023

Authorities had warned against any attempts to disrupt the day’s proceedings. There were reports that some protesters had planned to try to do just that, interfering with the processions, according to U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden. He said the government had received intelligence that some people might try to spook horses on the procession route by sounding rape alarms.

Republic wants Britain’s monarch to be replaced as the official head of state by an elected official. Republic is either organizing or promoting peaceful rallies in England and Scotland.

• Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/coronation-live-coverage-king-charles-iii-camilla-ceremony-2023-latest/