Chi Chi Izundu
Reporting from The Mall

Before the walkabout I spoke to a group of friends who have come down to London from York and Sheffield

“It’s a great atmosphere, everyone’s in such a good mood. We saw the King and Queen drive past and that was lovely. He saw our matching dresses and gave us a thumbs up,” Diane Evans joked.

Sue Nightingale told me she went into Asda and bought the dresses a month ago, making sure she and her friends were coordinated.

The ladies also have tiaras to make sure they stand out in the crowds.

Alka Walton says they sewed their rosettes with a button from a tin her mum had used at an event at the last coronation.

Lots of people walking past have stopped and asked these fashionable ladies for a picture.

Andre Rhoden-Paul
Live reporter

It’s a stalwart of many a royal visit to towns and cities across the UK.

Usually, the walkabout involves the Royal Family member shaking hands with the public who have gathered outside of an event the royal is attending.

The first recorded walkabout took place in 1939 when Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, entered the crowd to talk to veterans assembled for the unveiling of a war memorial in Canada, according to the Royal Collection Trust.

Since the King ascended to the throne last year, he has been on several walkabouts. One day after the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the King got out his vehicle, on his return to Buckingham Palace for the first time as monarch, to greet well-wishers. One woman even kissed him, as others cried "God save the King!"

But he has faced increased hostility, not seen on walkabouts during Queen Elizabeth II's reign, like when he had eggs thrown at him during a visit to York in April. He has also been frequently met by anti-monarchy protesters holding "not my king" placards.

Emily Selvadurai
News content producer

During the walkabout earlier, Catherine, Princess of Wales, spoke to a BBC reporter on The Mall who asked how her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis - are doing.

"They're really well," she replied.

"Excited, a bit nervous obviously with the big day ahead but they can't wait actually."

You can watch the full exchange above.

Image source, Reuters

We are just hearing the King is at the international headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in central London.

The monarch is meeting with Commonwealth heads of government at a garden reception.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 mostly former British colonies. The last four countries to join the Commonwealth - Rwanda, Mozambique, Gabon and Togo - have no historical ties to the British Empire.

The organisation works to advance development, democracy and peace.

Chi Chi Izundu
Reporting from the Mall

People are jubilant that King Charles III got out of his car to thank the crowds of people who’ve pitched their tents to get a prime spot for tomorrow’s Coronation. As he greeted people he was welcomed with “God Save The King” and cheers.

Prince William and Kate also greeted crowds who’ve been waiting hours to catch a glimpse of the royals.

Elizabeth, Jesse and Shirley have been camping along the Mall since Tuesday and didn’t tell King Charles they have a bottle of something bubbly ready to toast his Coronation. They were still super pleased that the King stopping for a chat.

Image source, Getty Images

And just like that the impromptu walkabout is over.

The King – along with the Prince and Princess of Wales - have got back into their cars and headed off back up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Some nice moments for many people there who came out to wish the Royals well ahead of tomorrow.

Image source, Reuters

Let's bring you some comments from Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who has joined her husband out on The Mall.

"It's nice to be out here and say hello," she tells one woman as she adds it is going to be an early start for everyone tomorrow.

Catherine adds: "It is a moment of celebration, enjoy tomorrow."

We have been able to hear a bit from the Prince of Wales as he met a woman who has travelled all the way from Phoenix in the United States.

"No way," Prince William gasps as hears the woman has been camped outside Buckingham Palace, before saying: "Well done you."

Prince William posed for one photo from the crowd as he shook hands with well-wishers of all ages.

While, back on the other side of The Mall one woman shouts: "King Charles, it is so nice to meet you - we came here from America!"

Another man remarks: "I came from Bangkok”, and the King replies: "It's nice to meet you."

He then makes his way over to the other side of The Mall where his son has been spending time.

Image source, PA Media

Cries of "Hip, hip, hooray," echo from the crowd as the Royals continue to make their way down The Mall.

Wearing a navy blue suit and a pink tie and flanked by his security team, King Charles is walking along shaking hands, waving and smiling with the crowd.

On the other side of the Mall, the Prince of Wales has just held the hand of a young baby while Catherine, Princess of Wales, was shown a photo from one woman who has been waiting in the crowd.

Image source, Getty Images

The King got out of his car and went to one side of The Mall, while Catherine, Princess of Wales and her husband, Prince William went to the other side of the road.

Security guards alongside King Charles urged crowds to put their phones down and to "enjoy the moment".

The King laughed as he was asked by one woman "who makes the best paper aeroplanes"; he then shook hands with another woman who said she had come from Italy.

The King, the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales have just arrived on The Mall for a royal walkabout.

The Mall, which will see the Royal Family and hundreds of troops process down it for the Coronation tomorrow, is already lined with many royal superfans camping out to secure the best viewing points.

You can watch their surprise appearance live by pressing the Play button at the top of this page.

Hannah Bayman
Reporting from The Mall

The last time 84-year-old Jennifer Southern camped out on the Mall she was a 14-year-old schoolgirl and had come to watch the new Queen Elizabeth II in her coronation procession.

Today, she has flown home to London from Bermuda and is preparing to camp again overnight to get the best view of King Charles.

Jennifer told me: “I don’t think too many people will have been to two coronations.

"I was here 70 years ago for the Queen’s coronation and I just wanted to be here for this one. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Moving onto the next generation, Jennifer’s son Mark adds: “It’s a sense of a moment in history.

"You don’t get to witness coronations very often, so to have one and experience it with the different generations is quite important really.”

Finally, Jennifer's granddaughter Amelia Southern, 24, told me: “It’s just an amazing experience, being here with grandma who was here for the coronation so many years ago.”

Image source, PA Media

There's some fresh images coming into us from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.

King Charles joined a special lunch for leaders of the Commonwealth realms - the 14 countries (other than the UK) where Charles is monarch - at the Palace.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne were also at the event.

There were 42 attendees in total, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins.

Guests arrived in the white drawing room before a drinks reception in the music room, followed by lunch in the blue drawing room.

Image source, PA Media

Chelsea Bailey
BBC News, Washington

Image source, PA Media

US President Joe Biden is not coming to the Coronation.

He was invited, but his wife, First Lady Jill Biden - who we just saw enter No 10 Downing St - is instead leading the US delegation.

It is though not unusual for US presidents to miss coronations.

Historians point out the reason is actually to do with a centuries-long tradition for American presidents to sit out UK coronations.

Despite close ties with the UK, Dwight D Eisenhower sent an envoy to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 instead of going himself.

Read more here.

Image source, PA

US First Lady Jill Biden is next to arrive at Downing Street.

There she is greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty.

The first lady was accompanied by her granddaughter Finnegan Biden, who will also attend the Coronation.

Biden and Murty are expected to hold private talks before watching a veterans' boxing session in Downing Street.

US President Joe Biden will not be attending tomorrow's Coronation.

Image source, PA Media

It's proving to be a busy Friday for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak too ahead of the Coronation.

As well as keeping an eye on the local election results, the prime minister has also been meeting and greeting various world leaders.

Many will be in London for the Coronation, so Sunak has used it as time to invite some to Downing Street for a chat.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese was first up, followed by New Zealand's new leader Chris Hipkins and thirdly the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Bunting is going up and flags are flying as London and the rest of the UK prepare for tomorrow's Coronation.

Some people have pitched tents early in order to secure the best positions to view the procession.

Here are a collection of images from central London this morning.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

So how are things shaping up at Westminster Abbey for tomorrow’s coronation?

Well, the King and Queen Consort arrived a little earlier at the Abbey for one final rehearsal.

The King waved from the car window as his vehicle pulled up, shortly after 10:00 BST.

Police on motorcycles arrived ahead of the royal motorcade.

Crowds gathered at a metal barrier outside the Abbey in the drizzling London rain to catch a glimpse of King Charles and Camilla.