Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at Abbeypublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Image source, PA MediaPrime Minister Rishi Sunak is walking into Westminster Abbey, one of the final guests to arrive.
Summary
The King and Queen waved at crowds and watched a flypast at Buckingham Palace's balcony following a day of Coronation celebrations
They were joined by senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children - but Prince Harry was notably missing
The BBC understands Harry, who attended the coronation at Westminster Abbey, was not invited to appear on the balcony
Earlier, the King and Queen were crowned in a ceremony full of pageantry and symbolism
About 2,200 people, including the Royal Family, celebrities, faith leaders and heads of state, were there to witness the event
Thousands of people lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen as they went past
Elsewhere, leading members of Republic, the anti-monarchy group, were among people arrested near Trafalgar Square
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at Abbeypublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Image source, PA MediaSpeakers of the Houses of Parliament among recent arrivalspublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Sam Hancock
Reporting outside Westminster AbbeyThere's some Westminster pomp now, which feels symbolic given the occasion - and where we're reporting to you from.
Both Speakers of the Houses of Parliament have just gone past, with their robes being carried behind them. John McFall - the House of Lords speaker - and Sir Lindsay Hoyle of the Commons will join the rest of the congregation momentarily.
Further up the road, we can hear and see military officers receiving their first commands as they get in position outside the abbey.
Diamond Jubilee State Coach arrives at Buckingham Palacepublished at 10:18 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach has just been spotted, being accompanied by the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry as it arrives at Buckingham Palace.
Take a look:
Image source, PA MediaScottish and Welsh first ministers in attendancepublished at 10:17 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
The UK's various political leaders have just arrived and are heading in now.
We saw Scotland's recently-installed First Minister Humza Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla, as well as the Welsh FM Mark Drakeford.
Image source, PAImage caption, Scotland's recently-installed First Minister Humza Yousaf is among those who has arrived at the Abbey
Faith leaders arrive at abbeypublished at 10:16 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Sean Coughlan
Reporting inside Westminster AbbeyThe faith leaders have arrived and taken their seats in the abbey.
It was a visible show of the multi-faith theme that is such an important part of the ceremony.
There are representatives of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities, as well as Christian denominations.
Both archbishops of Armagh - Catholic and Church of Ireland - walked in side by side.
We’ll hear more of the theme of respecting other faiths and beliefs in the service.
Huge crowds gatheredpublished at 10:15 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Massive hordes of people have gathered in central London for this display of royal pageantry.
The King’s Procession is due to set off in around five minutes' time from Buckingham Palace.
It’ll travel to Westminster Abbey: the site of British coronations for the best part of a millennium.
Involved in this journey and the return leg are some 5,000 armed forces personnel.
Where to watchpublished at 10:15 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
The Coronation service is being screened live at various locations across the country.
Locations include Glasgow, Belfast, Newcastle, Plymouth and Cardiff.
You can find more screening event locations here, external. You can also watch at the top of this page.
What to expect during today's servicepublished at 10:13 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
There’ll be several stages to today’s service:
- The recognition: While standing beside the 700-year-old Coronation Chair, the monarch is presented to those gathered in the Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The congregation shouts"God Save the King!" and trumpets sound
- The oath: The sovereign swears to uphold the law and the Church of England
- The anointing: The King's ceremonial robe is removed and he sits in the Coronation Chair. A gold cloth is held over the chair to conceal the King from view. The Archbishop of Canterbury anoints the King's hands, breast and head with holy oil made according to a secret recipe, but known to contain ambergris, orange flowers, roses, jasmine and cinnamon. The oil created for Charles will not contain any ingredients derived from animals
- The investiture: The sovereign is presented with items including the Royal Orb, representing religious and moral authority; the Sceptre, representing power; and the Sovereign's Sceptre, a rod of gold topped with a white enamelled dove, a symbol of justice and mercy. Finally, the Archbishop places St Edward's Crown on the King's head
- The enthronement and homage: The King leaves the Coronation Chair and moves to the throne. Peers kneel before the monarch to pay homage
The Queen Consort Camilla will then be anointed in the same way and crowned.
Anti-monarchy protest growingpublished at 10:11 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Daniel Sandford
Home Affairs Correspondent
The Republic demonstration of anti-Monarchy protests near Trafalgar Square is growing.
Every few minutes they burst into chants of “not my king” and “free Graham Smith”.
Graham Smith is the leader of Republic who was arrested this morning while unloading a van of placards.
Spectacular photo shows scene in Westminster Abbeypublished at 10:01 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
We've just had this stunning photo from inside Westminster Abbey. Take a look:
Image source, ReutersHow to avoid the Coronationpublished at 09:59 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
If all of this isn't for you, we've put together a guide of what to do today. Here are the key takeaways:
- Avoid central London - Westminster will be packed with royal-watchers. If you want to avoid the flag-waving crowds, stay away from the area around Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park
- Go offline - Social media will be overloaded with Coronation content over the weekend, so why not try going offline and switching off your phone?
- Escape to the country - If you cannot avoid street parties in your neighbourhood, why not escape to the country?
- Look for alternative plans - It might feel impossible to escape the royal occasion altogether, but there are still plenty of other events taking place. Among them, the Dog and Partridge pub in Sheffield will become an anti-Coronation safe space and The Brewers in Manchester has put together an alternative Coronation quiz
- Curl up at home with some of our best content - There is plenty of other BBC content for you to enjoy. We have put together a selection of our best podcasts and documentaries available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds
Significant police operation in central London - Metpublished at 09:57 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
The Met Police has just commented on the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters this morning, which included the head of the Republic group.
The force said a "significant police operation" was under way in central London.
It said a number of people had been arrested in the area of Carlton House Terrace on suspicion of breaching the peace.
The force said four people were arrested in the area of St Martin’s Lane on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance and a further three people were arrested in the area of Wellington Arch.
In Pictures: Latest images inside Westminster Abbeypublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Let's take another look inside Westminster Abbey - a church which has been buzzing with noise as the congregation has been filing in.
Many have taken their seats hours before the ceremony starts - here's a quick look at some of the latest images from inside.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Musicians perform at Westminster Abbey as guests arrived at took their seats ahead of the historic ceremony
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Geordie presenters Ant and Dec posed for a selfie after taking their seats in the Abbey - they earlier told the BBC they were excited to be invited
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Singer Lionel Ritchie shares a joke with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Preparations continue inside the Abbey as candles are lit above the chair where Charles will be formally crowned
Where are the guests seated?published at 09:51 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
More than 8,000 people attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. The guest list for King Charles’ is much smaller, with about 2,000 people invited.
Among those invited are members of the Royal Family, the prime minister, representatives from the Houses of Parliament, heads of state, and other royals from around the world.
Invites have also gone to 850 community representatives in recognition of their charitable contributions.
In Pictures: Famous faces file into the Abbeypublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Streams of people are still arriving - let's take a look at the latest photos we're getting:
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Katy Perry, who will be performing at tomorrow's Coronation Concert, is seen arriving with the editor of Vogue, Edward Enninful
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Joanna Lumley struck a pose outside the Abbey
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt were all seen arriving together
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby welcomed guests
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska was seen arriving
Penny Mordaunt arrives for important dutiespublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Sam Hancock
Reporting from Westminster Abbey
Image source, ReutersNot too long ago, we saw Penny Mordaunt heading for Neal's Yard, where a lot of military officials have been seen going this morning.
She had someone walking along side her holding an umbrella, because what would a British occasion be without some rain?
The leader of the House of Commons is playing an important role in today's ceremony - carrying the sword of state into the Abbey for the King.
And now the military pomp begins, with RAF members beginning to line the route of the procession.
Jill Biden arrives at the Abbeypublished at 09:44 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Sam Hancock
Reporting from Westminster Abbey
Image source, ReutersExcitement is building here as we see US First Lady Dr Jill Biden arrive in a three-car motorcade, alongside her granddaughter Finnegan. The US president's wife is in cornflower blue. The US President Joe Biden himself is not here.
Image source, PA MediaUkraine PM among first international leaders to arrivepublished at 09:44 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Sam Hancock
Reporting from Westminster Abbey
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and First Lady Olena Zelenska
It looks like the world leaders who've bagged an invite to today's celebrations are beginning to arrive. First up are Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and First Lady Olena Zelenska.
The country's president and Olena's husband, Voldoymyr Zelensky, will not be in attendance as his country continues to defend itself against Russia's invasion.
Prince Andrew pictured leaving Buckingham Palacepublished at 09:43 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Image source, ReutersPrince Andrew has been pictured leaving Buckingham Palace ahead of today's events.
As King Charles’s brother, Prince Andrew will be in attendance, but as he is no longer a "working royal", it remains uncertain what part he might play.
In recent times he has attended public royal events, and last year he participated in the vigils at the funeral of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, alongside his siblings.
Here comes the rainpublished at 09:42 British Summer Time 6 May 2023
Marie Jackson
Reporting from Westminster AbbeyThe rain is now pounding down on our tent roof, the streets are wet and all the photographers are hunched under large golfing umbrellas. Colleagues are singing: Here Comes the Rain.
I’m imagining the King whistling Barbra Streisand’s Don’t Rain on my Parade under his breath.
