King Charles III has been crowned King at London’s Westminster Abbey at a solemn Christian coronation steeped in 1,000 years of history and tradition, but adapted to reflect 21st-century Britain.
The King has taken the Coronation Oath and became the first monarch to pray aloud at his coronation.
In his prayer he asked to “be a blessing” to people “of every faith and conviction.”
He was then anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church who is leading the ceremony.
The anointment is considered the most sacred part of the ceremony and as such took place behind a three-sided screen.
The King was then presented with the coronation regalia, including the royal Robe and Stole, in what is known as the investiture part of the service.
He was then crowned with the 360-year-old St. Edward’s Crown, the most significant part of the coronation service. After crowning the King, Welby said: “God Save the King.”
King Charles is taking over from his mother, late Queen Elizabeth II after she passed on in September last year.
King Charles is now the head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 other countries and also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
