The Best Moments from King Charles' Coronation That We're Still Swooning Over One Year Later
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From the crowns to the gowns, the royal family's coronation celebrations were for the record books
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images King Charles and Queen Camilla wave after the coronation on May 6, 2023
King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation was a day for the royal history books.Despite some dreary weather, royal fans lined the streets of London to take part in the celebrations as celebrities, royals from around the world and more gathered at Westminster Abbey to see the new King and Queen be officially crowned in a ceremony filled with both traditional and personal touches.Prince William and Kate Middleton turned heads in their royal robes, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stole the show and Prince George made history, but all eyes were on the new monarch and his consort as they were crowned.Look back at some of the most memorable moments and best photos from King Charles' coronation one year later.Adorable Royal Arrivals
PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive at King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023' title='Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales and Britain's Prince Louis of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023'>
PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive at King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023
Princess Charlotte was on big sister duty, holding hands with Prince Louis as the siblings processed into Westminster Abbey for their grandfather's coronation behind their parents (while Prince George was on Page of Honor duty, entering the crowning ceremony with King Charles rather than his family). Prince William said the next day that Charlotte was "very tired" after "making sure her little brother behaved himself" at the event.Matching Mom and Daughter
Yui Mok//Getty Princess Charlotte (left) and Kate Middleton at the coronation of King Charles on May 6, 2023
Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte had the ultimate mother-daughter matching moment at the coronation, sporting coordinating headpieces by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen and similar white outfits by McQueen.The stunning hair accessories nodded to the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth, looking similar to the ones worn by the late Queen's maids at her crowning."If they did take inspiration from those ornaments, it was a nice way to give Kate something that stood out visually while still reinforcing her current role as a supporter of the King and Queen," Lauren Kiehna of The Court Jeweller blog told PEOPLE.Prince George Makes History
Getty Images Prince George at the coronation on May 6, 2023
Prince George's role as a Page of Honor to his grandfather put him in the royal history books. He was the youngest future monarch to be officially involved in a coronation service, according to The Telegraph. (While 4-year-old Prince Charles was brought in to watch part of his mother Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953 and 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth witnessed the crowning ceremony of her father King George VI in 1937, neither participated.)"His parents are very excited and delighted that he is a page," a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales told PEOPLE ahead of the event. "It's something that his parents have thought long and hard about and are very much looking forward to — and I'm sure George is too."A Regal Yawn
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty From left: Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton at the coronation on May 6, 2023
At just 5 years old, Prince Louis was likely the youngest attendee at his grandfather's coronation. The big day meant an early start — and a few stray yawns from the little royal throughout the ceremony. At one point, Prince Louis was no longer sitting with his parents and sister — but after a short break, he was back to ride in the carriage procession back to the palace!Prince Harry's Return
Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Prince Harry attends the coronation on May 6, 2023
Prince Harry traveled solo to the U.K. from California, where he has lived since 2020 with Meghan Markle and their children, to see his father's coronation. The Duke of Sussex smiled as he walked in with his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as well as their husbands and took his seat in the third row. After the crowning ceremony, Harry headed to the airport to rush home for his son Prince Archie's birthday.The Crowning Moment
Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images King Charles is crowned at the coronation on May 6, 2023' title='King Charles III receives The St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby during his and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023'>
Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images King Charles is crowned at the coronation on May 6, 2023
Although King Charles became monarch immediately upon Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022, he was officially crowned at the coronation. King Charles was enthroned with the commanding St. Edward's Crown, used only to crown a new monarch. It weighs nearly 5 lbs. and was first created for King Charles II in 1661 as a replacement for the previous crown that had been melted down in 1649.King Charles actually wore two crowns on his coronation day. He swapped the St. Edward's Crown for the Imperial State Crown at the end of the service.The Queen's Gown
Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty; Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Camilla's outfit for the coronation on May 6, 2023
While Queen Camilla's crown was steeped in royal history, her coronation gown was full of personal touches. Designed by Bruce Oldfield, the dress included her two rescue dogs, Bluebell and Beth, with gold embroidered Jack Russell Terriers near the trim. In addition to her royal cypher (also featured on her shoes!), the names of Camilla's children and grandchildren were also stitched into the regal gown.Camilla has already recycled the dress, wearing it to the State Opening of Parliament in November.The Heir's Oath
Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William (center) and King Charles (right) at the coronation on May 6, 2023' title='Prince William, Prince of Wales kisses his father, King Charles III, wearing St Edward's Crown, during the King's Coronation Ceremony inside Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023'>
Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William (center) and King Charles (right) at the coronation on May 6, 2023
After King Charles was crowned, his eldest son and heir stepped forward to pay homage in a memorable moment. The Prince of Wales knelt and said, "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."He then touched his father's crown and kissed his cheek, prompting King Charles to say what seemed to be, "Thank you, William."A Golden Procession
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images King Charles and Queen Camilla travel in the Gold Coach after the coronation on May 06, 2023
King Charles and Queen Camilla rode back to Buckingham Palace in style, leaving Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach. The historic carriage was constructed in 1762 and first used by King George III to travel to the State Opening of Parliament that year. The coach, which weighs four tons and was drawn by eight horses on the coronation day, has been used at every coronation since King William IV's crowning ceremony in 1831.The Princess Rides
Dan Mullan/Getty Princess Anne rides on horseback after the coronation on May 6, 2023
King Charles' sister, Princess Anne, was the only member of the royal family to ride on horseback during the post-crowning procession back to Buckingham Palace in her role as "Gold-Stick-in-Waiting." The role, which Princess Anne has held since 1998, dates back to the 15th century when two officers, a Gold Stick and a Silver Stick, were placed close to the monarch to protect them from harm.In an interview with CBC News that aired ahead of the event, Princess Anne joked about the perks of the job."I have a role as the Colonel of the Blues and Royals in the Household Cavalry regiment as Gold Stick [in Waiting]. And Gold Stick was the original close protection officer. So that is a role I was asked if I'd like to do for this coronation, so I said yes," she said. "Not least of all, it solves my dress problem."Fairytale Ride
Adam Gerrard - WPA Pool/Getty From left: Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton ride in a carriage after the coronation on May 6, 2023
The Prince and Princess of Wales rode together with their three children in a horse-drawn carriage following the crowning ceremony.A Wave from the King and Queen
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla after the coronation on May 6, 2023
Upon their return to Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped out onto the royal residence's iconic balcony.The Grand Finale
Christopher Furlong/Getty The royal family gathers on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the coronation on May 6, 2023
The King and Queen were joined by members of the royal family, including their Pages of Honor.A View from the Balcony
Handout/Chris Jackson/Getty for Buckingham Palace Queen Camilla and King Charles after the coronation on May 6, 2023
A snap taken from behind the royal couple shows a view of the flypast carried out by the Royal Air Force.Coronation Concert Joy
Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Royals attend the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023
The day after the crowning ceremony, the royal family gathered on the grounds of Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert! They were treated to performances by Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Nicole Scherzinger, Olly Murs and more.Playful Teasing
JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Princess Charlotte and Prince William at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023
Prince William had some fun with the Union Jack flags provided to the crowd, playfully waving them in his children's faces.A Tribute to Pa
LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William on stage at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023' title='Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks on stage inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert, in Windsor, west of London'>
LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William on stage at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023
The Prince of Wales took the stage at the Coronation Concert for a special speech dedicated to his father.He said, "I want to say a few words about my father and why I believe this weekend is so important. But don't worry, unlike Lionel, I won't go on all night long," he joked in a nod to the "All Night Long" hitmaker, whose performance preceded his remarks."As my grandmother said when she was crowned, 'Coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future,' " Prince William said, quoting Queen Elizabeth's coronation speech from 1953. "And I know she's up there, fondly keeping an eye on us. She would be a proud mother."In a sweet touch, he said, "Pa, we are all so proud of you."Volunteer Day
Daniel Leal/Getty From left: Kate Middleton, Prince William and Prince George at the Big Help Out on May 8, 2023' title=' Watched by Prince William, Prince of Wales (centre right) and Prince George of Wales (R), Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, tries her hand at archery while taking part in the Big Help Out, during a visit to the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough on May 8, 2023 in London, England. The Big Help Out is a day when people are encouraged to volunteer in their communities. It is part of the celebrations of the Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms that took place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023.'>
Daniel Leal/Getty From left: Kate Middleton, Prince William and Prince George at the Big Help Out on May 8, 2023
On May 8, members of the royal family took part in a volunteering initiative called the Big Help Out. The Prince and Princess of Wales brought their children on a visit to the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough — a cause close to Kate, who is the joint President of the Scout Association. Break Time
DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images From left: Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton attend the Big Help Out on May 8, 2023
The family joined the Scouts to renovate their Scout Hut, taking part in plating, sanding and painting. Prince George used a drill to work on a project, while Princess Charlotte did some painting and Prince Louis shoveled dirt into a wheelbarrow. But they also enjoyed some roasted marshmallows.Prince Louis' Delicious Treat
Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Louis at the Big Help Out on May 8, 2023
Prince Louis seemed to have a blast on his first official royal engagement — and his reaction to biting into a s'more showed it!Much has changed for the royal family since King Charles' coronation. In February, the monarch announced that he was diagnosed with cancer. Just weeks later, Princess Kate also revealed that she was also undergoing cancer treatment after post-operative tests from her January abdominal surgery found "cancer had been present."While the Princess of Wales remains out of the public eye, the King recently stepped out for his first public engagement since the palace announced the health news, visiting the Macmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital London on April 30 with Queen Camilla."I think he was really thrilled to be out," the Queen said the following day. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People.
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