King Charles III coronation recap: The biggest moments

Charles’ coronation was the first in the U.K. in 70 years.

ByKatie Kindelan, Morgan Winsor, and Yi-Jin Yu via GMA logo
Last Updated: May 8, 2023, 1:42 PM EDT

King Charles III had his crowning moment Saturday as the United Kingdom celebrated its first coronation in 70 years.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla were celebrated in a weekend of festivities, highlighted by Saturday's coronation service at Westminster Abbey.

Key moments:

Here is how the coronation events unfolded. All times Eastern.
May 06, 2023, 4:53 AM EDT

First Lady Jill Biden joins world leaders at coronation

Dr. Jill Biden has arrived at Westminster Abbey to represent the United States at the coronation. She traveled to the U.K. with her granddaughter, Finnegan Biden, who is also attending the coronation.

First Lady Jill Biden attends the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

The first lady, dressed in blue, is seated next to Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska. The two first ladies also saw each other Friday night at a reception at Buckingham Palace, where they posed for a photo with Kate, the Princess of Wales.

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska walks outside Westminster Abbey ahead of Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony, in London, May 6, 2023.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Around 100 heads of state and 20 royal families are attending today’s coronation.

The world leaders were welcomed Friday night at a private reception at Buckingham Palace.

May 06, 2023, 4:40 AM EDT

Hundreds of protesters gather in Trafalgar Square

Hundreds of anti-monarchy protesters have gathered in central London’s Trafalgar Square, just a mile away from Westminster Abbey where Charles will be crowned.

Their chants of "not my king" were met with boos from others in the crowd who are fans of the royals.

-ABC News' Ibtissem Guenfoud and Patrick Reevell

May 06, 2023, 4:32 AM EDT

Look back at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation

Charles’ coronation is the first since 1953, when his mother was crowned.

The queen’s coronation also took place at Westminster Abbey, where every coronation service has taken place since 1066.

The Duke of Edinburgh pays homage to his wife, the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, during her coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London, June 2, 1953.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Over 8,000 guests filled the abbey for Elizabeth's coronation, including Charles, who was 4 at the time.

One famous photo shows Charles resting his head on his hand as he stands between his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and his aunt, Princess Margaret.

Prince Charles looks bored as he watches the coronation of this mother, along with his aunt, Princess Margaret, right, and his grandmother, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, at Westminster Abbey. Charles was the first child to witness his mother's coronation at just 4 years old.
Hulton Deutsch/Corbis via Getty Images

May 06, 2023, 4:21 AM EDT

Emma Thompson, Lionel Richie among guests for coronation

Wearing suits, fascinators, military uniforms and medals and religious clothing, guests began filing into Westminster Abbey Saturday over three hours before the start of Charles’ coronation service.

Actress Emma Thompson and singer Lionel Richie, who is performing at Sunday's coronation concert, are among the guests.

Emma Thompson arrives to attend Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, May 6, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Lionel Richie arrives ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, May 6, 2023.
Jane Barlow/AP

Watching the coronation service in-person are over 2,200 invited guests who represent over 200 countries, according to Buckingham Palace.

In addition to royal family members, the assembled guests include heads of state, members of foreign royal families, representatives from charities of which Charles and Camilla are patrons, faith leaders, Nobel Prize winners and members of the Diplomatic Corps.