Full dress rehearsal takes place ahead of coronation

As Londoners slept, the coronation procession rehearsal took place.

May 3, 2023, 12:40 PM
Members of the military march near Buckingham Palace in central London, May 2, 2023 during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III which will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Members of the military march near Buckingham Palace in central London, May 2, 2023 during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III which will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Vadim Ghirda/AP

While the city of London slept, the dress rehearsal for the coronation procession took place, complete with white horses pulling gold carriages and guards marching.

PHOTO: A member of the military marches on The Mall, in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during a rehearsal for the Coronation of King Charles III
A member of the military marches on The Mall, in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during a rehearsal for the Coronation of King Charles III which will take place on May 6.
Andreea Alexandru/AP

The coronation for King Charles III will take place on Saturday, but in the darkness early Wednesday, the participants held a full-dress rehearsal for the big day.

PHOTO: Members of the military march near Buckingham Palace in central London, May 2, 2023 during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III which will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Members of the military march near Buckingham Palace in central London, May 2, 2023 during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III which will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
PHOTO: A member of the military marches on The Mall, in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during a full-dress rehearsal for the Coronation of King Charles III.
A member of the military marches on The Mall, in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during a full-dress rehearsal for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Andreea Alexandru/AP

Members of the British armed forces and the palace guards practiced their steps along the route the king and queen will take to and from Westminster Abbey for the formal crowning.

White horses pulled the Golden State coach that will carry the newly crowned King following coronation ceremony.

PHOTO: The Gold State Coach is driven alongside members of the military during a full overnight dress rehearsal of the coronation procession for Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 3, 2023.
The Gold State Coach is driven alongside members of the military during a full overnight dress rehearsal of the coronation procession for Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 3, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters
PHOTO: The Gold State Coach is accompanied by members of the military during a full overnight dress rehearsal ahead of the coronation for King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 3, 2023.
The Gold State Coach is accompanied by members of the military during a full overnight dress rehearsal ahead of the coronation for King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London, May 3, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters

The Diamond Jubilee State coach also came out of storage, illuminated with lights. It was pulled by white horses along the route, where thousands of onlookers are expected to witness the event. That coach will carry King Charles and Queen Camilla to the ceremony.

PHOTO: The Diamond Jubilee State Coach is led in a procession rehearsal near Buckingham Palace in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, for the coronation of King Charles III, which will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach is led in a procession rehearsal near Buckingham Palace in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, for the coronation of King Charles III, which will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.
Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP

The route will carry them from Buckingham Palace down The Mall, through the Admiralty Arch, down Whitehall street and around Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey.

PHOTO: Members of the military stand in front of Buckingham Palace in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III which will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
By the light of the moon, members of the military stand in front of Buckingham Palace in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III which will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Andreea Alexandru/AP

After the crowning, the procession, which will be much larger, will take the same route in reverse, but the Golden State coach will carry the king and queen.

King Charles, Queen Camila and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children all went to Westminster Abbey for the rehearsal on Wednesday but during daylight hours.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles is driven to Westminster for a rehearsal ahead of his coronation, in London, May 3, 2023.
Britain's King Charles is driven to Westminster for a rehearsal ahead of his coronation, in London, May 3, 2023.
Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters
PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey in London, May 3, 2023, following a rehearsal for the coronation.
Britain's King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey in London, May 3, 2023, following a rehearsal for the coronation.
Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP
PHOTO: Queen Camilla leaves Westminster Abbey on May 3, 2023, in London, following a rehearsal ahead of the coronation.
Queen Camilla leaves Westminster Abbey on May 3, 2023, in London, following a rehearsal ahead of the coronation.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
PHOTO: Britain's Prince William and Prince Louis leave Westminster Abbey in central London, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, following a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III.
Britain's Prince William and Prince Louis leave Westminster Abbey in central London, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, following a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III.
Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP