Britain's King Charles III wearing the Imperial state Crown and carrying the Sovereign's Orb and Sceptre leaves Westminster Abbey after coronation in central London Saturday. (Ben Stansall/POOL photo via AP)
LONDON — King Charles III was crowned the new monarch of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on Saturday at Westminster Abbey Saturday, starting a weekend celebraton of the event of a lifetime for many and the first coronation in more than 70 years
The coronation ceremony relied heavily on ancient rituals and was dripping in jewels. Charles sat upon a 700-year-old throne, crowned with St. Edward's crown and carried a bejeweled orb and golden scepter.
Spectators lined the streets in London in hopes of catching a glimpse of the new king. However, at a time when the monarchy is working to remain relevant in the modern era, the ceremony was not celebrated by all. Protestors were also in attendance to show their disdain as the new king and queen nd their royal procession rolled by after the ceremony.
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Several high-profile public figures could be seen at Westminster Abbey and the weekend activities. Katy Perry and First Lady Jill Biden attended the coronation. Perry performed at a concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, while Biden sat with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the Big Lunch party on Downing Street.
Some close royal family members celebrated the king's coronation in a limited capacity. Prince Harry made the trek from the States to the U.K. for the coronation. However, did not make an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with his family and the king. This was the prince's first appearance with his family after the release of his much talked about biography "Spare".
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The weekend was packed with pageantry, music, protests and plenty of events:
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel in the Gold State Coach from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace following the coronation ceremony. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)Britain's King Charles III greets the crowd as he and Queen Camilla travel to Buckingham Palace. (Rob Pinney/Pool Photo via AP)King Charles III sits as he receives The St Edward's Crown. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)Britain's Prince William touches St Edward's Crown on King Charles III's head. (Yui Mok, Pool via AP)Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Prince Andrew leave Westminster Abbey following the coronation. (Toby Melville, Pool via AP)Katy Perry at Westminster Abbey. (Gareth Cattermole/Pool Photo via AP)Britain's Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales leave in the rain after the coronation. (Andy Stenning/Pool photo via AP)Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt, holds the Sword of State walking ahead of King Charles III. (Yui Mok, Pool via AP)A coach carrying Britain's Prince William, Kate, Princess of Wales, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis rides past protesters following the coronation ceremony of King Charles III. (Violeta Santos Moura/Pool Photo via AP)Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel in the Gold State Coach, back to Buckingham Palace. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)People walk past a giant screen in Piccadilly Circus. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)King Charles III is escorted out of Westminster Abbey. (Ben Birchall/Pool via AP)The Coronation Procession travels along The Mall following the coronation ceremony. (Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo/ Andreea Alexandru)Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)Crowds on the way to Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh, from left, Princess Charlotte, Kate Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Prince William and Prince George, right, greet the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)People watch the fly past over Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo/ Andreea Alexandru) Royal Air Force Red Arrows flies over the palace. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)Musicians play their instruments as people sit at long tables to eat their lunch as part of the Big Lunch celebration in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds a plate of sandwiches as U.S .First Lady Jill Biden takes one with a British flag in it as they attend the Big Lunch party at Downing Street in London Sunday. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)Sylvia Daw leaves her cottage to attend the Big Lunch celebration in Alfriston in East Sussex. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)A woman holding a glass sings during Sunday's festivities. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)Lionel Richie performs during a concert at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Sunday. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Royal Box during the concert Sunday. (Yui Mok/Pool Photo via AP)Katy Perry performs during the concert for the new king and queen. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla look at each other as they stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their coronation. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)
