Charles III crowned King at UK's first coronation in 70 years

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla return to Buckingham Palace after coronation service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Charles III was on Saturday crowned monarch of the United Kingdom (UK) and 14 other Commonwealth realms in the UK's first coronation since 1953 at Westminster Abbey in central London.

The coronation service lasted about two hours and involved various stages, including recognition, oath, anointing, investiture and crowning, followed by enthronement and homage.

At 12:02 p.m. (1102 GMT), Charles III was formally crowned as the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St Edward's Crown onto the head of the monarch. The congregation sang a hymn; bells at the historic church rang; trumpets sounded, and gun salutes were fired across the country to mark the moment.

King Charles III, 74, ascended to the throne in September last year following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Camilla was also coronated on Saturday in a much simpler ceremony, as she was anointed and crowned with Queen Mary's Crown.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will return to Buckingham Palace in procession after the service at Westminster Abbey, using the same route they took this morning in reverse, with thousands of spectators lining the streets.

The ceremonial events will conclude with the royal couple and members of the royal family watching a large formation fly-past on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in the afternoon.

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla return to Buckingham Palace after coronation service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla return to Buckingham Palace after coronation service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla return to Buckingham Palace after coronation service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

People gather around Buckingham Palace on the day of Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel in a coach as they leave Westminster Abbey after their coronation in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Britain's King Charles III, Queen Camilla and members of the royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on May 6, 2023 shows a flypast over Buckingham Palace on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on May 6, 2023 shows a general view of flypast over the Mall on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on May 6, 2023 shows a flypast over Buckingham Palace on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Britain's Prince William, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis travel in a carriage as they leave Westminster Abbey after King Charles' coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

People gather around Buckingham Palace on the day of Britain's King Charles III's coronation ceremony in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)