King Charles III's coronation will be attended by just 2,000 people
Charles III will be crowned king today in the country's biggest ceremonial event in seven decades, a sumptuous display of pageantry dating back 1,000 years - but adapted to reflect 21st-century Britain.
King Charles III's coronation - the first of a British king since 1937 - is the religious confirmation of his accession after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September.
King Charles and wife Camilla reached Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by six Windsor Grey horses, and escorted by members of the king's bodyguard, the Household Cavalry.
The coronation is being attended by just 2,000 people - a fraction of the more than 8,000 guests who crammed into Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's crowning in 1953. Camilla will be crowned separately in a similar but simpler ceremony.
King Charles will become the oldest British monarch to have the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown placed on his head as he sits upon a 14th century throne at Abbey.
It is a Christian service, but leaders of Britain's non-Christian faiths and its Celtic languages will play a prominent role. Charles's grandson Prince George and the grandchildren of Camilla will play official roles at the grand ceremony.
Rishi Sunak, Britain's Prime Minister and a practising Hindu, read from the Bible as the head of the UK government. He described the coronation as "a proud expression of UK history, culture and traditions".
The event is being held on a smaller scale than that staged for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, but still aims to be spectacular, featuring an array of historical regalia from golden orbs and bejewelled swords to a sceptre holding the world's largest colourless cut diamond.
Princes Harry and Andrew will both attend the coronation of King Charles III, but will have no formal role in proceedings -- confirming they remain out in the cold. The pair will also be absent from the public procession behind the Gold State Coach carrying the newly crowned king from the Abbey back to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
After the service, the king and queen will return to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach in a larger ceremonial "Coronation Procession". They will be joined by other members of the royal family and some 4,000 British and Commonwealth troops in full regalia.
After returning to Buckingham Palace, the couple and other British royals will make a traditional appearance on the balcony, with a fly-past by military aircraft. The coronation is the centrepiece of three days of events, including a concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday evening.
With inputs from agencies.
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