The King crowned by Archbishop of Canterbury in historic coronation at Westminster Abbey
The King has been crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in his historic coronation at Westminster Abbey.
The archbishop Justin Welby placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on to the monarch’s head before proclaiming: “God save the King!”
The congregation, which includes 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe, celebrities, everyday heroes and family and friends of the monarch, then replied: “God save the King!”
The archbishop had adjusted the position of the crown on the King’s head for several seconds before it sat comfortably.
A fanfare was played and the abbey’s bells rang for two minutes after the crowning, with gun salutes fired from nearby Horse Guards Parade, the Tower of London and saluting stations across the nation and from warships at sea.
The King was then officially enthroned as the archbishop proclaimed: “Stand firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity.”
The enthronement traditionally represents the monarch taking possession of his kingdom.
Live updates from King’s historic coronation
Minutes later, Queen Camilla was seen adjusting her hair out of her face as she was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.
She had earlier been anointed in public in a break with tradition.
The Bishop of Dover presented the Queen with the Rod with Dove before Lord Chartres presented her with the Sceptre with Cross.
The Queen then curtsied before the King as they appeared to smile at each other in a charming moment in the coronation.
As Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s coronation anthem was sung, the Queen was officially enthroned.
The enthroning of the Queen was a moment in which Charles and Camilla were “united in their joint vocation before God”.
Earlier Prince William paid homage to the King, the only blood prince to do so, in a break with tradition.
William appeared to avoid eye contact with his father through much of the homage.
He then kissed the King on the cheek who was seen to say a couple of inaudible words to his elder son.
At the end of the ceremony the King walked through the abbey as Prince William, Kate, and their children Louis and Charlotte sang the national anthem.
William and Kate’s eldest son, Prince George, was not seated with them – as future king he was part of the ceremony as one of the pages of honour.
Prince William kisses King Charles during his coronation ceremony
The historic ceremony of pomp and pageantry, which marks the first time most people have seen the coronation of a British monarch, has been watched by millions around the world.
The crowning was the moment the King fulfilled his destiny but follows the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years.
Before being crowned, the monarch was anointed with holy oil before putting on the coronation robes.
He wore a deep scarlet robe which was previously worn by his grandfather, King George VI.
Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church since 1066.
The coronation was a deeply religious ceremony steeped in symbolism and its prayers took the theme of “Called to Serve”, an attribute associated with the late Queen who pledged her life to the Commonwealth.
Before the crowning the archbishop delivered a sermon to the 2,300 guests, a gathering of world leaders, celebrities, UK politicians, foreign royalty, everyday heroes and the Royal Family.
The monarch later delivered a King’s Prayer, the first time a king or queen has spoken words to God aloud during a coronation, and he touched on the duty of the sovereign to serve all communities.
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Senior members of the Royal Family were among more than 2,000 guests inside the abbey for the service, with the Prince and Princess of Wales in the front row with their children Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prince Harry and Prince Andrew also attended – the Duke of Sussex was all smiles, chatting to his cousin Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, as he walked into the abbey.
They were joined by celebrities including Ant and Dec, Katy Perry, and Emma Thompson.
Ahead of the service, thousands of wellwishers clapped and cheered along The Mall as the King and Queen Consort left Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
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England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
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If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
This was a World Cup draw like no other. Crafted less for the teams but for one man.
The choice of venue. The creation of a new trophy. The closing music act.
Donald Trump was lavished with the adulation he craves by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and feels others unfairly deny him.
Knowing how much being overlooked by the Nobel Committee hurt the US president, there was Mr Infantino with FIFA’s newly-created Peace Prize to hand over. And a medal for Mr Trump to wear.
“This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” he said. “And beyond awards, Gianni and I were discussing this. We saved millions and millions of lives.”
This was all on the stage in front of an audience who turned up to find out who they will be playing at the World Cup.
England handed an undaunting route past Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Scotland paired with newcomers Haiti before tricky reunions from their last men’s World Cup in 1998 against Brazil and Morocco.
Pic: Reuters
But the show before the draw could even begin – presided over by Rio Ferdinand – took almost as long as a football match, at 87 minutes after the noon kick-off was delayed.
There was a walk of self-promotion to complete – “I guess they have to wait” – before taking his seat in the Kennedy Center. Or the Trump Kennedy Center as the president takes to calling the venue picked 1.5 miles from the White House.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel reacts to draw
“It was falling apart,” he said, delaying the walk into the auditorium. “And now it’s, it’s pretty much back.”
Mr Infantino could only watch on, beaming, at his friend.
“We had a dead country,” Mr Trump went on, “and now we have the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
There was the awkwardness of being reminded, before receiving the peace accolade, about threats to launch military strikes on Venezuela to stop the drugs trade.
“I did settle eight wars, and we have a ninth coming,” he swatted away the question. “Which nobody’s ever done before. But I want to really save lives. I don’t need prizes.”
But FIFA knew how much he wanted more gold for the collection with the prize.
More on this story:
What draw means for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
And for all the mockery and disdain targeted at FIFA, how many sports would relish having the US president spend several hours attending a procedural event determining the placing of teams in groups for a tournament?
How many would dish out the same flattery to secure direct lines to the leader of the nation staging their championship?
Many have benefited from Mr Trump’s stardust and swagger being attached to this spectacle.
Even Port Vale’s most famous fan – Robbie Williams – secured a walk-on role, exceeding his profile this side of the Pond.
And the Village People are reaping the rewards of becoming the unlikeliest of Trump hype acts.
The festivities ended with eyes fixed back up to the presidential seating and the YMCA dance being performed.
This was an afternoon that dispelled any pretence that FIFA keeps a distance from politics. It was unapologetically political. But few speak out in the FIFA world as the redistributed wealth keeps rolling back in their direction.
It would be easy to forget this isn’t entirely America’s World Cup. They’re sharing hosting with Canada and Mexico.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
And eventually the spotlight was ceded to their leaders – very briefly – as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew out their countries’ names.
But it did live up to FIFA’s mantra that football can unite the world.
The neighbours were brought together here on a snowy day in Washington. And tensions – often stoked by Mr Trump with Canada and Mexico – thawed in the name of football.
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