King Charles III takes oath of office

On an historical day, Charles III has been officially crowned king in the first coronation in Britain since 1953.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the solid gold St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head as a sacred and ancient symbol of the monarch’s authority at exactly 12:02.

The coronation which was held at London’s Westminster Abbey had many world leaders in attendance.

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Cries of “God Save the King” rang out from the 2,300-strong congregation at the venue and trumpet fanfares sounded at the climax of the solemn religious confirmation of his accession.

Outside, ceremonial gun salutes blasted out across land and sea while bells pealed in celebration at churches across the country.

The build-up to the Christian ceremony of prayer and praise — steeped in 1,000 years of British history and tradition, with sumptuous robes and priceless regalia — has been mostly celebratory.

King Charles III swears to govern the people with justice and mercy and to uphold the Anglican Church of England and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Charles ascended the British throne on September 8, 2022, after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.