King Charles' Coronation: Read the Full Recap

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Now that the main coronation event has wrapped we are ending this liveblog. Thanks for following along! Continue reading below for a full play-by-play of the day's proceedings.

Balcony Appearance

King Charles III, Queen Camilla and their Pages of Honour step out onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace to greet the crowds and watch a military flypast. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburugh and their family, Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence also appear on the balcony. Notably absent? Prince Andrew and Prince Harry.

The flypast has been scaled down slightly due to the rain.

Before the family stepped out, royal fans rushed to get a better position in front of the Palace as the area around the Queen Victoria Memorial statue — which has the best view of the balcony — had been blocked off to spectators. 

Thousands of revelers crowd into the Mall to celebrate the coronation, many flying various British flags, but some also flying flags for other countries like Switzerland and Brazil. Also dotting the crowd? Umbrellas, as it is still drizzling in London.

After the first appearance, the King and Queen came out together for an encore appearance. They were greeted by cheers of "hip, hip, hooray!"

Arrival at Buckingham Palace

Upon returning to Buckingham Palace following the coronation, Charles and Camilla will receive a royal salute from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces who participated in the parade. The salute is followed by three cheers from the assembled service personnel.

Coronation Procession

King Charles and Queen Camilla make their way back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach in the Coronation Procession.

Bells ring from the church and cheering crowds greet the royal couple as they pass back through their original path.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — follow in the first carriage behind the King.

"Charlotte waving very animately as they came past," PEOPLE's Philip Boucher notes. "Kate looked incredible and happy waving in the back too."

"Crowd erupted into 'God Save the King' when William passed by," reporter Alyson Kruger notes.

Anne, Princess Royal, follows the carriages mounted on a horse in military uniform.

PEOPLE's Monique Jessen notes that Prince Harry left in a car alone.

Leaving the Abbey

The King and Camilla depart from Westminster Abbey in the 261-year-old Gold State Coach, which is being drawn by eight Windsor Greys: Icon and Shadow, Milford Haven and Newark, Echo and Knightsbridge, Meg and Tyrone.

"Emma West is one of the only female footmen [for the carriage]," PEOPLE's Simon Perry notes. "She's looking after one of the horses drawing the carriage."

The Gold State Coach 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, has been used at every coronation since King William IV's crowning ceremony in 1831. Queen Elizabeth rode in it to and from her coronation in 1953, and the coach was ceremoniously rolled down the Mall during her Platinum Jubilee pageant in June 2022. The spectacular carriage is typically displayed at the Royal Mews in London, the working stables of Buckingham Palace.

The royal couple will now make their way back to Buckingham Palace via the same route they arrived in what is known as the Coronation Procession. 

Greeting Leaders of Faith Communities

At the end of the procession, the King is greeted by leaders of faith communities (Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist).

The King stands before the leaders as they greet him:

"Your Majesty, as neighbors in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good."

Following the greeting, the King proceeds to his coach to depart the Abbey.

Departure Robe and Crown

As per tradition, Charles and Camilla change into Robes of Estate for their departure from Westminster Abbey. 

Charles' Robe of Estate is made of purple silk velvet embroidered in gold and was last worn by King George VI in 1937. Robemakers at Ede and Ravenscroft have conserved and prepared the robe.

Camilla's purple velvet Robe of Estate is brand new and was designed and hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The robe itself was made by Ede and Ravenscroft. The new design features bees and a beetle — a coronation first, according to the royal family — as a nod to Charles and Camilla's environmental causes. 

A variety of plants are also depicted, including Lily of the Valley, which was featured in Camilla's wedding bouquet and was Queen Elizabeth's favorite flower. The robe also features myrtle, representing hope, and Delphinium, one of the King's favorite flowers and the birth flower of July, Camilla's birth month. Also featured is the "Alchemilla Mollis," known as Lady's Mantle, which symbolizes love and comfort, Maidenhair Fern, which symbolizes purity, and cornflowers, which represent love and tenderness.

The embroidery was done using the Goldwork technique.

Charles has also changed into the Imperial State Crown for his departure.

The King's Outward Procession

Charles and Camilla leave the Abbey during the King's Outward Procession. As he passes through the Abbey, guests bow and curtsy. "Pomp and Circumstance" by Elgar and "March from the Birds" by Parry play during the procession.

The National Anthem

Following a beautiful performance of a hymn, an anthem by Boyce and "Te Deum" by Walton by the choir, the British National Anthem is sung by all guests.

The Final Blessing

The Archbishop leads the final blessing.

"Our help is in the Name of the Lord"

All: "Who hath made heaven and earth."

"Blessed be the Name of the Lord"

All: "Now and henceforth, world without end."

"Christ our King, make you faithful and strong to do his will,

that you may reign with him in glory;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

rest upon you, and all whom you serve,

this day, and all your days."

All: "Amen."

The Lord's Prayer

The Archbishop leads the guests in the Lord's Prayer. The choir begins to sing Agnus Dei as the Archbishop performs the Holy Communion.

Prince Louis Leaves

Prince Louis left the coronation service after the coronation of Queen Camilla. Sitting through a long coronation can be difficult for little ones — Louis is only 5 after all!

The Coronation of the Queen

Following Charles' coronation, Queen Camilla is now officially crowned.

First, she is anointed by the Archbishop, who says, "Be your head anointed with holy oil. Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness; hear our prayer this day for thy servant Camilla, whom in thy name, and with all devotion, we consecrate our Queen. Make her strong in faith and love, defend her on every side, and guide her in truth and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

The Queen is then crowned and enthroned while an anthem from Andrew Lloyd Weber is sung by the choir.

The Homage of the People

In a break from tradition, the Archbishop of Canterbury asks the people — both inside the Abbey and watching from afar — to join in the Homage of the People. Normally, this homage would be performed by hereditary dukes and earls.

"I call upon all persons of goodwill of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other Realms and the Territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all," the Archbishop says.

The guests in the Abbey say, "I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God."

"God save The King," says the Archbishop.

All guests join in to say: "God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May The King live forever."

The Homage of the Royal Blood

Prince William kneels before Charles and performs the Homage of Royal Blood. The 40-year-old Prince of Wales places his hands between the hands of the King and says: "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."

Fanfare

The Wiener Philharmoniker fanfare by Strauss plays as the Abbey bells ring for a full two minutes. 

The fanfare is followed by a gun salute which will be fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery stationed at Horse Guards Parade. This is accompanied by Gun Salutes at His Majesty’s Fortress the Tower of London fired by the Honourable Artillery Company, and at all Saluting Stations throughout the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and Ships at Sea.

The Crowning

The Dean brings The Crown of St Edward to The Archbishop, who says the prayer of blessing.

"King of kings and Lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this Crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it, for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be crowned with thy gracious favor and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, supreme over all things, one God, world without end. Amen."

The Archbishop places the crown firmly on the King, checking to make sure it is on correctly.

"God save The King," he says, which the guests repeat loudly.

Charles is crowned in the St. Edward Crown. The crown was first created for Charles II in 1661, and was a replacement for the previous crown that had been melted down in 1649. The original was thought to date back to the 11th-century royal saint, Edward the Confessor, who was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

The replacement crown, commissioned from the Royal Goldsmith, Robert Vyner, in 1661, incorporated much of the original design by having four crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis, as well as two arches. It is created with a solid gold frame and set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines. It also has a velvet cap with an ermine band. The crown also underwent some modification in preparation for Charles' coronation today.

While the St. Edward Crown is used for the official crowning ceremony, Charles will swap it for the Imperial State Crown before he leaves Westminster Abbey.

The Presentation of Regalia

The Presentation of Regalia begins and Charles is seated on the coronation throne. As Charles remains seated, the Archbishop leads blessings.

While presenting the Sword, the Archbishop says, "With this sword do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the holy Church of God and all people of goodwill, help and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order: that doing these things you may be glorious in all virtue; and so faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this life, that you may reign for ever with him in the life which is to come. Amen. "

Prince William enters the theater for the Robe and Stole Royal Ceremony.

The Bishop of Durham vests the King in the Stole Royal. William, Baroness Merron, and assisting Bishops drape Charles in the Robe. 

"Receive this Robe," the Archbishop of Canterbury says. "May the Lord clothe you with the robe of righteousness, and with the garments of salvation."

The Anointing

After the Thanksgiving for the Holy Oil, the Anointing begins. The choir sings "Zadok the Priest" by George Frideric Handel. The Anointing screen is arranged white the choir sings. Per tradition, the Anointing cannot be witnessed by the public.

Charles' robes are removed and he approaches the screen while only wearing his white shirt and trousers.

The Dean pours oil from the ampulla into the spoon and the Archbishop anoints the King.

"Be your hands anointed with holy oil," the Archbishop says. "Be your breast anointed with holy oil. Be your head anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed. And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, so may you be anointed, blessed, and consecrated King over the peoples, whom the Lord your God has given you to rule and govern; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen."

The Anointing above is not broadcast or heard by the guests as the choir sings during the ceremony.

Once the Anointing is finished, the screen is removed and Charles' robes are put back on.

The Sermon

The Archbishop leads a sermon.

"The King of Kings, Jesus Christ, was not anointed to be served, but serve. [...] Service is love in action."

Read the Archbishop's full sermon here:

The King's Prayer

King Charles leads the King's Prayer:

"God of compassion and mercy, whose Son was sent not to be served but to serve, give grace that I may find in thy service perfect freedom and in that freedom knowledge of thy truth. Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and conviction, that together we may discover the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace. through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen."

The Oath

After the Presentation of the Bible, the Oath begins. Charles and Camilla remain seated.

Archbishop of Canterbury:

"Your Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely. The Coronation Oath has stood for centuries and is enshrined in law. Are you willing to take the Oath?"

The King:

"I am willing."

The King places his hand on the Bible, and the Archbishop administers the Oath.

Archbishop of Canterbury:

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, your other Realms and the Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

The King:

"I solemnly promise so to do."

Archbishop of Canterbury:

"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?"

The King:

"I will."

Archbishop of Canterbury:

"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"

The King:

"All this I promise to do. The things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep. So help me God."

Archbishop of Canterbury:

"Your Majesty, are you willing to make, subscribe and declare to the statutory Accession Declaration Oath?"

The King:

"I am willing. I Charles do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law."

The Recognition

The ceremony involving the recognition of the King begins. The Archbishop leads and says, "I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service: are you willing to do the same?"

"God save King Charles," the guests say in unison.

This is repeated by Lady Angiolini, LT (A Lady of The Thistle), Christopher Finney, GC (Chair of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association), Baroness Amos, LG (A Lady of The Garter.

Entering the Abbey

Queen Camilla leads the procession into the Abbey. In addition to her Robe of State, she is wearing a white gown embroidered with gold. King Charles follows behind her with his Pages of Honour, which include Prince George.

The rest of the royal family has already been seated in the Abbey. Prince Harry sits a few rows back from the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Robes

In keeping with tradition, Charles and Camilla wear two different sets of robes during the coronation: the Robes of State and the Robes of Estate. Robes of State are worn on arrival at Westminster Abbey, and Robes of Estate are worn on departure, following the official crowning ceremony. 

Charles' Robe of State is made of crimson velvet and was last worn by King George VI at his coronation in 1937 (a.k.a, the last coronation for a male monarch). The Royal School of Needlework, which Camilla has been a patron of since 2017, have conserved the velvet while Ede and Ravenscroft, the oldest tailors in London, conserved the lining and gold lace.

Camilla's crimson velvet Robe of State was originally made for Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation in 1953. Ede and Ravenscroft have conserved the velvet as well as made adjustments for the new Queen.

Note that Charles is not yet wearing a crown — he cannot be seen in public wearing a crown until the official coronation ceremony. This is why King Edward VIII was never seen wearing a crown as he abdicated in 1936 before his coronation.

As for the other royal family members, Prince William, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent are wearing Order of the Garter robes. Anne, Princess Royal is wearing the Order of the Thistle. Duchess Sophie, Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra are wearing Royal Victorian Order robes.

The other royal family members also arrive, some of them wearing their official robes. All of King Charles' siblings are wearing ceremonial robes, including Prince Andrew.

Arrival at Westminster Abbey

The Archbishop of Canterbury — who will lead the coronation service — greets Charles and Camilla outside Westminster Abbey.

Royal Family Arrival

Prince Harry arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation alongside other members of the royal family. He is spotted chatting with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as they enter the church.

Harry is wearing a mourning suit rather an a military uniform. PEOPLE understands Harry was requested to wear a morning suit — and that he didn't make any specific asks regarding his outfit. The prince has no formal role during the coronation and sits in the Abbey among the other royal family spectators.

Meghan Markle will remain in California while Harry is at his father's coronation. May 6 marks Prince Archie's fourth birthday, and PEOPLE previously reported that the Duchess of Sussex will remain in California so she can celebrate his birthday alongside Archie's little sister, Princess Lilibet.

In a cute moment, Prince Louis was spotted waving to the crowd from his car.

Once out of the car, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte held hands in a sweet moment while following behind their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Charlotte wears a white Alexander McQueen outfit while Louis is dressed in navy blue.

The Mall

King Charles and Queen Camilla continue to ride down the Mall outside Buckingham Palace, passing thousands of gathered spectators. The Mall is lined with the Union Jack flag as well as various flags from the Commonwealth.

The crowd also contains some anti-monarchy protesters, who have been leading protests against the coronation since earlier in the day. However, they likely won't be spotted by Charles and Camilla from their carriage.

"God Save the King"

"God Save the King" plays as Charles and Camilla depart Buckingham Palace's gates.

Leaving Buckingham Palace

Charles and Camilla depart from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which is being drawn by six Windsor Greys. It's a slightly rainy day for his procession.

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach was commissioned to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's 60th anniversary of acceding the throne in 2012 and has only ever conveyed the monarch, though occasionally accompanied by Prince Philip or a visiting head of state.

According to the palace, the gilded crown on the top of the Diamond Jubilee State Coach was carved from oak from HMS Victory, and the coach's interior is inlaid with samples of woods, metals and other materials from buildings and places with specific connections to Britain and its history, including royal residences such as Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse; cathedrals including St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey; and historic ships, such as the Mary Rose.

The royal couple will depart from Westminster Abbey in a different carriage — the Gold State Coach.

"Worth remembering that all the military in the parade will have spent at least an hour standing still in the rain before marching off," PEOPLE's Philip Boucher notes.

The King's Procession

The coronation officially kicked off earlier today at 6 a.m. BST (1 a.m. ET) with a formal procession (known as the King's Procession) from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, which included a military procession with just under 200 members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces, including many from the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry. An additional 1,000 service personnel will line the procession.

The procession moves along the Mall to Trafalgar Square, then down Whitehall and Parliament Street before turning into Parliament Square and Broad Sanctuary. The procession ends at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey. The procession that the military personnel took part in is the same walk that Charles will travel down.

Thousands of revelers have gathered along the procession path — some of whom have been camping out for days — in order to catch a glimpse of the pomp and ceremony of the coronation. 

V.I.P. guests arrived at the Abbey ahead of Charles' departure from the Palace. One familiar face in the crowd? Katy Perry, who will be performing at the coronation concert on Sunday.