Sweeping and sand spreading - the final preparations continue
Sam Hancock
Outside Westminster Abbey
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Considering the magnitude of today, it’s remarkably quiet here so far - save the dozens of people still preparing the outside of the Abbey (and presumably the inside, too).
People around us say that for the last few days, Broad Sanctuary – the street we’re on – has been filled with excited onlookers wanting to catch a glimpse of the place where the King will be crowned.
But for now, street sweepers, a sand-spreading vehicle, police officers and event staff are the only people to be seen.
There was a flurry of excitement a moment ago when a handful of military officials arrived and headed inside the Abbey but, officially, doors don’t open for another half an hour.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Unusual passengers continue to arrive at Waterloo station
Katy Austin
Transport correspondent
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Around 5,000 members of the armed forces are arriving in London on specially chartered trains from places like Farnborough, Tring and Aldershot.
They’re marching over Westminster bridge
to get in position for their part in the procession later.
Army, Navy, RAF and commonwealth forces are
all involved.
There’s been a big effort by the rail industry to make it possible and ensure everything runs smoothly, and extra staff are on standby in case any problems arise.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Anti-monarchy protesters gather in central London
Daniel Sandford
reporting from Trafalgar Square
BBCCopyright: BBC
Of course it's not just royal supporters who are gathering today - a small group of protestors are also assembling here in Trafalgar Square.
Republic, the group campaigning for the abolition of the monarchy, say they hope to have up to 1,500 supporters here
today.
Today programme broadcasting from outside Westminster Abbey
Mishal Husain
BBC News Today presenter
BBCCopyright: BBC
Being on the media platform that’s gone up opposite the
Great West Door of the Abbey at this early hour means seeing the light change
on its stone facade and the activity around it slowly build.
This is where we
will be for the Today programme, watching the final preparations at a place
that has seen coronations for hundreds of years, the last one almost exactly 70
years ago.
The historian Sir Simon Schama will be with us, talking
about the present as well as the past, for every coronation reflects the time
in which it takes place.
From the words used in the service to the wider
symbols, what we see and hear in the ceremony and procession will have been
long thought over by the new sovereign and the Palace.
What do they reveal
about him, and how he sees us? And what’s the Queen like? I’ve been speaking to
a friend who has known her for 40 years.
The Mall is steadily filling up, and plenty of people have duly dressed up for today's historic occasion. Take a look:
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Some left out after queuing overnight
Alys Davies
On The Mall
BBCCopyright: BBC
I’m on The Mall where people have been queueing for hours overnight to get a good spot - many are bleary-eyed but excited to have made it through.
But others have been left disappointed after not managing to get through, following some confusion around which areas would be open to the public.
Tracy Taylor, who travelled down from the Midlands and has been queueing since 8pm last night in the hope of getting access to a space near the Buckingham Palace end said: “We were told that the gate would be opened, so we’ve been stood there basically all night”.
She said they have since been told that they will not be let through, leaving her and her group of five looking for somewhere else to stand.
“It’s shambolic,” said another in the group, Ian - who described himself as a seasoned royal event-goer, having attended the late Queen’s funeral last year, as well as Diana’s funeral.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Tracy, Nicky, Ian, and NeilImage caption: Tracy, Nicky, Ian, and Neil
Artist sets up his easel
Keith Adams
in Trafalgar Square
Who knew there was an official military oil painter?
Robert Pointon is already in Trafalgar Square with his brushes, ready to capture the procession.
He tells me he has put in 60
hours of work so far, with two backdrops ready to allow for the weather.
"It’s like a theatre set and I’m waiting for the actors," he says.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Fourth royal event for 10-year-old boy
Alys Davies
On The Mall
BBCCopyright: BBC
Hudson is in position on The Mall - in the last few years he's witnessed Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, the Jubilee and the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
“I’m extremely excited for today,” he tells me. “I’m excited to see the King in the gold carriage, and hopefully the aeroplanes."
Uniformed troops march from Waterloo across to Westminster
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
More than 5,000 armed forces personnel are arriving by train to London Waterloo before marching over Westminster Bridge.
Network Rail says it is the biggest movement of military personnel on Britain's railways since Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965.
From the images we're seeing this morning, it certainly looks like quite a spectacle.
Hundreds of uniformed guards are marching through streets more used to seeing red London buses and perhaps the occasional cold kebab at this hour on a Saturday morning.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Morning pictures from The Mall
There are hundreds of people outside Buckingham Palace already, hoping to catch a glimpse of the King's Procession later.
Many camped out on The Mall - here are some of latest images.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Some spectators arrived with tents and deck chairs several days agoImage caption: Some spectators arrived with tents and deck chairs several days ago
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Despite forecasts of rain, there are wide smiles among the crowdsImage caption: Despite forecasts of rain, there are wide smiles among the crowds
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Good thinking - that's one way to get a good viewImage caption: Good thinking - that's one way to get a good view
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
A huge security operation is in place, with the Met Police putting 11,500 officers on dutyImage caption: A huge security operation is in place, with the Met Police putting 11,500 officers on duty
We're outside Westminster Abbey
Sam Hancock
Outside Westminster Abbey
BBCCopyright: BBC
We're just outside Westminster Abbey for the big dayImage caption: We're just outside Westminster Abbey for the big day
Good morning, my colleague Marie Jackson and I have arrived outside Westminster Abbey where we’re positioned on a special media platform.
As you’d expect, this is a huge operation both in terms of the media and security - the numbers of police and event staff we’ve seen already this morning has been incredible.
We had to go through some airport-style security to get on the platform, which is named after the QEII conference centre it’s positioned outside of.
It’s a clear crisp morning here in London and about half an hour ago, the sky above the Abbey turned a lovely shade of pink.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Down below, we saw police dogs having their photograph taken outside the front door to the Abbey where the King will later be crowned.
We’re going to be here until the ceremony finishes, so stay with us for all the latest.
Forces personnel head for London by train
Nick Johnson
Reporting from Hertfordshire
The dawn
chorus is in full cry here at Tring station in Hertfordshire, and a very unusual commute into
London is under way.
Hundreds of
RAF personnel are boarding a train taking them into the capital for the
Coronation procession.
They’ve
spent the past few weeks at nearby RAF Halton brushing up on their marching and
rifle drill for today’s spectacle.
The
procession will consist of 6,000 UK armed forces personnel, with a contingent
of 949 from the Royal Air Force as part of what will be the largest military ceremonial
operation for almost 60 years.
These
servicemen and women will be arriving at Waterloo, from where they will make their
way to watch the ceremony, then form part of the procession thereafter
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBCCopyright: BBC
No ticket? Here’s how to tune in
The 1953 crowning of Charles’s mother, the late Elizabeth II, was the UK’s first coronation to be shown on TV.
It was filmed in colour and - amazingly - with 3D newsreel as well.
Seventy years later, hundreds of millions of people around the world are expected to tune in to today’s events by one method or another.
You'll be able to watch our special coverage by clicking the Play button at the top of this page from 07:30 this morning.
Viewers in the UK will be able to tune into BBC One or BBC Two - or to a radio simulcast across BBC Radios 3, 4 and 5 Live, and BBC Sounds.
Audiences outside the UK will be able to watch on the BBC News channel, or listen on the BBC World Service.
History in the making
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The big day has finally arrived.
After all the rehearsals and planning, we’re going to see a day of spectacular pageantry and history in the making. Many of us will never have seen a coronation before, and this will be a chance to see it all unfold.
At the centre of it all will be King Charles III, with the eyes of the world on him. What will he be thinking about a day that he must have been anticipating throughout his adult life?
The last time he was at a coronation was as a young child in 1953, watching his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, being crowned.
At his side will be Camilla, the Queen Consort, who we’ll soon begin to describe as Queen Camilla.
It’s only about a 30-minute ride from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, but as a couple they’ve been on a remarkable journey that’s taken decades.
What’s in store this weekend?
The coronation ceremony itself is at 11:00 BST (10:00 GMT) today - when the King and Queen will formally be crowned. There’ll be big processions to and from Westminster Abbey, as well as an expected appearance from the royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony and a military flypast
Tomorrow, we’re encouraged to banquet with our neighbours during nationwide street parties as part of the Big Lunch initiative. The King and Queen will attend the BBC-produced Coronation Concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle - which will also be graced by musical royalty in the shape of Lionel Richie and others. Meanwhile, Lighting Up the Nation will see locations across the UK illuminated
The Coronation Bank Holiday on Monday will be more than just a day off work or school for many people, with the public encouraged to take part in local volunteering through the Big Help Out
Day of royal pomp and ceremony beckons
James FitzGerald
Live reporter
Hello from London, and welcome to our live coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III.
Crowds have been gathering for days, hoping to catch a glimpse of the King himself, as well as Queen Consort Camilla - who’ll also be crowned in today’s ceremony at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 BST.
Huge processions are planned either side of the service - all part of a days-long celebration across the UK.
The team is poised to bring you updates by text, video and live stream.
So, stay on this page today - and stick with us throughout the weekend.
Live Reporting
Edited by James FitzGerald, Emma Owen, Marita Moloney and Alex Therrien
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Sweeping and sand spreading - the final preparations continue
Sam Hancock
Outside Westminster Abbey
Considering the magnitude of today, it’s remarkably quiet here so far - save the dozens of people still preparing the outside of the Abbey (and presumably the inside, too).
People around us say that for the last few days, Broad Sanctuary – the street we’re on – has been filled with excited onlookers wanting to catch a glimpse of the place where the King will be crowned.
But for now, street sweepers, a sand-spreading vehicle, police officers and event staff are the only people to be seen.
There was a flurry of excitement a moment ago when a handful of military officials arrived and headed inside the Abbey but, officially, doors don’t open for another half an hour.
Unusual passengers continue to arrive at Waterloo station
Katy Austin
Transport correspondent
Around 5,000 members of the armed forces are arriving in London on specially chartered trains from places like Farnborough, Tring and Aldershot.
They’re marching over Westminster bridge to get in position for their part in the procession later.
Army, Navy, RAF and commonwealth forces are all involved.
There’s been a big effort by the rail industry to make it possible and ensure everything runs smoothly, and extra staff are on standby in case any problems arise.
Anti-monarchy protesters gather in central London
Daniel Sandford
reporting from Trafalgar Square
Of course it's not just royal supporters who are gathering today - a small group of protestors are also assembling here in Trafalgar Square.
Republic, the group campaigning for the abolition of the monarchy, say they hope to have up to 1,500 supporters here today.
Today programme broadcasting from outside Westminster Abbey
Mishal Husain
BBC News Today presenter
Being on the media platform that’s gone up opposite the Great West Door of the Abbey at this early hour means seeing the light change on its stone facade and the activity around it slowly build.
This is where we will be for the Today programme, watching the final preparations at a place that has seen coronations for hundreds of years, the last one almost exactly 70 years ago.
The historian Sir Simon Schama will be with us, talking about the present as well as the past, for every coronation reflects the time in which it takes place.
From the words used in the service to the wider symbols, what we see and hear in the ceremony and procession will have been long thought over by the new sovereign and the Palace.
What do they reveal about him, and how he sees us? And what’s the Queen like? I’ve been speaking to a friend who has known her for 40 years.
In Pictures: Faces on The Mall
The Mall is steadily filling up, and plenty of people have duly dressed up for today's historic occasion. Take a look:
Some left out after queuing overnight
Alys Davies
On The Mall
I’m on The Mall where people have been queueing for hours overnight to get a good spot - many are bleary-eyed but excited to have made it through.
But others have been left disappointed after not managing to get through, following some confusion around which areas would be open to the public.
Tracy Taylor, who travelled down from the Midlands and has been queueing since 8pm last night in the hope of getting access to a space near the Buckingham Palace end said: “We were told that the gate would be opened, so we’ve been stood there basically all night”.
She said they have since been told that they will not be let through, leaving her and her group of five looking for somewhere else to stand.
“It’s shambolic,” said another in the group, Ian - who described himself as a seasoned royal event-goer, having attended the late Queen’s funeral last year, as well as Diana’s funeral.
Artist sets up his easel
Keith Adams
in Trafalgar Square
Who knew there was an official military oil painter?
Robert Pointon is already in Trafalgar Square with his brushes, ready to capture the procession.
He tells me he has put in 60 hours of work so far, with two backdrops ready to allow for the weather.
"It’s like a theatre set and I’m waiting for the actors," he says.
Fourth royal event for 10-year-old boy
Alys Davies
On The Mall
Hudson is in position on The Mall - in the last few years he's witnessed Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, the Jubilee and the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
“I’m extremely excited for today,” he tells me. “I’m excited to see the King in the gold carriage, and hopefully the aeroplanes."
Uniformed troops march from Waterloo across to Westminster
More than 5,000 armed forces personnel are arriving by train to London Waterloo before marching over Westminster Bridge.
Network Rail says it is the biggest movement of military personnel on Britain's railways since Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965.
From the images we're seeing this morning, it certainly looks like quite a spectacle.
Hundreds of uniformed guards are marching through streets more used to seeing red London buses and perhaps the occasional cold kebab at this hour on a Saturday morning.
Morning pictures from The Mall
There are hundreds of people outside Buckingham Palace already, hoping to catch a glimpse of the King's Procession later.
Many camped out on The Mall - here are some of latest images.
We're outside Westminster Abbey
Sam Hancock
Outside Westminster Abbey
Good morning, my colleague Marie Jackson and I have arrived outside Westminster Abbey where we’re positioned on a special media platform.
As you’d expect, this is a huge operation both in terms of the media and security - the numbers of police and event staff we’ve seen already this morning has been incredible.
We had to go through some airport-style security to get on the platform, which is named after the QEII conference centre it’s positioned outside of.
It’s a clear crisp morning here in London and about half an hour ago, the sky above the Abbey turned a lovely shade of pink.
Down below, we saw police dogs having their photograph taken outside the front door to the Abbey where the King will later be crowned.
We’re going to be here until the ceremony finishes, so stay with us for all the latest.
Forces personnel head for London by train
Nick Johnson
Reporting from Hertfordshire
The dawn chorus is in full cry here at Tring station in Hertfordshire, and a very unusual commute into London is under way.
Hundreds of RAF personnel are boarding a train taking them into the capital for the Coronation procession.
They’ve spent the past few weeks at nearby RAF Halton brushing up on their marching and rifle drill for today’s spectacle.
The procession will consist of 6,000 UK armed forces personnel, with a contingent of 949 from the Royal Air Force as part of what will be the largest military ceremonial operation for almost 60 years.
These servicemen and women will be arriving at Waterloo, from where they will make their way to watch the ceremony, then form part of the procession thereafter
No ticket? Here’s how to tune in
The 1953 crowning of Charles’s mother, the late Elizabeth II, was the UK’s first coronation to be shown on TV.
It was filmed in colour and - amazingly - with 3D newsreel as well.
Seventy years later, hundreds of millions of people around the world are expected to tune in to today’s events by one method or another.
You'll be able to watch our special coverage by clicking the Play button at the top of this page from 07:30 this morning.
Viewers in the UK will be able to tune into BBC One or BBC Two - or to a radio simulcast across BBC Radios 3, 4 and 5 Live, and BBC Sounds.
Audiences outside the UK will be able to watch on the BBC News channel, or listen on the BBC World Service.
History in the making
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent
The big day has finally arrived.
After all the rehearsals and planning, we’re going to see a day of spectacular pageantry and history in the making. Many of us will never have seen a coronation before, and this will be a chance to see it all unfold.
At the centre of it all will be King Charles III, with the eyes of the world on him. What will he be thinking about a day that he must have been anticipating throughout his adult life?
The last time he was at a coronation was as a young child in 1953, watching his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, being crowned.
At his side will be Camilla, the Queen Consort, who we’ll soon begin to describe as Queen Camilla.
It’s only about a 30-minute ride from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, but as a couple they’ve been on a remarkable journey that’s taken decades.
What’s in store this weekend?
Day of royal pomp and ceremony beckons
James FitzGerald
Live reporter
Hello from London, and welcome to our live coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III.
Crowds have been gathering for days, hoping to catch a glimpse of the King himself, as well as Queen Consort Camilla - who’ll also be crowned in today’s ceremony at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 BST.
Huge processions are planned either side of the service - all part of a days-long celebration across the UK.
The team is poised to bring you updates by text, video and live stream.
So, stay on this page today - and stick with us throughout the weekend.