Thousands of people lined the streets of central London hoping to catch a glimpse of King Charles III as he travelled from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after his coronation.
Soldiers and royal footmen, marching bands and ornate coaches, magnificent horses and an Irish wolfhound called Seamus all took part in the UK military’s largest ceremonial operation for 70 years – and it all ended with a short fly-past. Here’s how the day unfolded.
Procession to Buckingham Palace
The service finished at 13:00 BST and the King and Queen travelled back to the palace in the ornate Gold State Coach as part of the Coronation Procession – a much larger ceremonial display than the morning’s procession to the abbey.
At the head of the procession – about a mile in front – was Brigade Major Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw riding Sovereign’s Shadow.
He led more than 4,000 members of the armed forces from the UK and across the Commonwealth, 19 bands and flag-bearers, formed into eight groups. A full list of all those who took is at the end of this page.
The 1.42-mile route was lined by 1,000 members of the military from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
The Gold State Coach
The Gold State Coach, which is covered in gold leaf and carved decorations, was first used by King George III to travel to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762. The first king to use the coach in a coronation was William IV in 1831 and it has been used at every coronation since.
The panels feature Roman gods, and sculptures of cherubs and tritons ride on the roof and over the wheels.
Queen Elizabeth II, who used the coach for her coronation as well as jubilee celebrations, said it might look luxurious but it was a horrible, uncomfortable ride because of the lack of suspension.
It weighs four tonnes and is pulled at walking pace by eight grey horses, with a mounted rider or postilion for each pair.
Alongside the coach, walked eight grooms, six footmen and four Yeomen of the Guard.
Also present were members of the Royal Watermen, who traditionally rowed the Royal Barges up and down the River Thames between the royal palaces, but now have ceremonial duties.
The Princess Royal was among those riding behind the coach, in her role as Gold Stick and Colonel The Blues and Royals – a ceremonial bodyguard entrusted with the safety of the sovereign.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, were in the first carriage behind the coach with other “working royals” – those family members who carry out official duties on behalf of the King – in carriages and cars following them.
The marching bands kept beat of 108 paces a minute, which is slightly slower than a standard quick march of 116 paces a minute, because of the speed of the heavy coach.
Members of the RAF were in group three of the procession, the Army in the next three groups – with the Royal Lancers in group four – and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in group seven.
The Irish Guards with their mascot Seamus, the Irish wolfhound, were part of the final group ahead of the coach, which also includes the Welsh Guards and Scots Guards.
The Ministry of Defence said it was the largest military procession in London since more than 16,000 people took part in Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation procession in 1953.
Source: BBC
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