EFE.- Charles III and his wife, Camilla, were crowned kings of England this Saturday at Westminster Abbey, in the heart of London, in a solemn and emotional ceremony presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, primate of the church of england.

With all the medieval traditions reserved for the occasion, Charles III, 74, was crowned to symbolically mark his reign, which began, de jure and de facto, on September 8, 2022, with the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

It was the first time in 70 years that Britain had witnessed the coronation of a head of state, wearing the royal coat of arms and St. Andrew’s crown. Edwardian 17th century, which weighs more than two kilograms, and is decorated with precious stones.

The coronation spectacle, which lasted more than two hours, began at 10:20 local time (09:20 GMT), when the monarchs left Buckingham Palace for the abbey on the “Diamond Jubilee” float, one of the most modern floats in the kingdom. family, drawn by six white horses and escorted by the royal guard, in colorful red suits and black bowlers.

Thousands of people, behind security barriers on the streets where the royal procession passed, shouted and waved British flags as the float drove by.

As well as most supporters of the monarchy, there were protests from groups opposing the coronation, who carried banners reading “This Is Not My King” and yellow T-shirts.

Read: 6 Facts about the Coronation of Charles III

The director of the anti-monarchy group “Republicans”, Graham Smith, and other protest organizers, were arrested by Police in the center of Trafalgar Square before the event started.

With British punctuality, the liturgical service began at 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT), in the presence of thousands of guests, including the kings of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, as well as religious representatives and representatives of the hosting countries. The UK maintains full diplomatic relations.

The ceremony took place with music specially selected by the king and performed by Antonio Pappano, renowned music director of the Royal Opera House in London.

Before the crowning moment of the coronation, Charles III was anointed with consecrated oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most solemn religious rite in today’s liturgy, requiring the king to be temporarily hidden from the congregation.

The ruler is covered by a cloth panel embroidered with an angel motif and a tree with 56 leaves symbolizing each of the British Commonwealth countries.

Charles sat in St Edward’s oak chair, thought to be the oldest piece of furniture in England and set on a medieval mosaic floor, for the coronation ceremony.

Wearing a gold robe, Charles III was presented with various royal insignia symbolizing his responsibilities as head of state until the day he died.

Thus, the king received the ruling orb, which symbolized the world; a scepter with a cross, which symbolizes the Christian world; and a dove scepter, a symbol of the king’s spiritual role, and white gloves a symbol of power.

Then, at the most important moment, the archbishop placed Saint Edward’s crown on the king’s head and shouted “God save the King” while trumpets sounded and cannon shots were fired from various corners of the country, including the Tower. from London.

Then it was the turn of Prince William, heir to the crown, to kiss his father on the cheek.

After leaving the abbey, Charles III, already wearing another crown, the imperial crown, and Camilla were taken to Buckingham Palace in a golden state carriage, built in 1762, escorted by around 4,000 members of the armed forces, in an impressive parade. , which is accompanied by the sound of drums.

Arriving at the palace, in the gardens, the king received greetings from members of the different regiments, to highlight the strong ties between the monarchy and the armed forces.

The final act is out onto the balcony of the royal palace, with the children who act as pages and members of the royal family who work for the Royal House, such as the princes of Wales, William and Catherine; The Dukes of Edinburgh, Edward and Sofia, and Princess Anne, the king’s sister.

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