King Charles III's coronation: The biggest moments of the historic event
Charles’ coronation was the first in the U.K. in 70 years.
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:
- King Charles and Queen Camilla's official coronation photos released
- William honors Charles with moving speech
- Charles, Camilla return for encore appearance on Buckingham Palace balcony
- Charles is crowned with 400-year-old crown
- 1st look at Camilla in St. Mary’s Crown
- Charles pledges the coronation oath
- William pays homage to Charles, public invited to also
See Charles today compared to Queen Elizabeth in 1953
Charles' coronation Saturday immediately drew comparisons to the last coronation that took place 70 years ago, that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
After a coronation service at Westminster Abbey that closely followed his mom's ceremony -- with notable differences included -- Charles appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where his mom waved to her subjects so many times during her 70-year reign.
In one photo, Charles is seen waving his right hand exactly as the queen did on June 2, 1953.
In the photo, Camilla stands to Charles' left, just as Charles' father, Prince Philip, stood next to the queen at her coronation.
Royals take official coronation photos
Following the end of the day’s public ceremonial events, Charles and Camilla and members of the royal family are now taking official photos in the Throne Room and the Green Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace.
The photographs are being taken by Hugo Burnand, a British photographer who was the official photographer for William and Kate’s 2011 wedding and was commissioned by Charles to take his official 70th birthday portrait.
Prince Harry absent from Buckingham Palace balcony appearance
Prince Harry did not join his family for the traditional balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace following the coronation service.
Harry was the only member of his immediate family missing from the moment, with Charles and Camilla there as well as William and Kate and their three children.
As a non-working royal, Harry also did not join his family for the carriage procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.
Harry attended the coronation alone, with his wife Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, staying home in California.
Sources told ABC News royal contributor Omid Scobie that Harry will be heading back to the U.S. soon after attending his father's coronation.
The date of the coronation coincides with Archie's birthday, who turns 4 Saturday.
Charles, Camilla return for encore appearance on Buckingham Palace balcony
The current and future generations of the monarchy stepped out on the balcony, represented by Charles, William and George -- the king and first and second in line to the throne, respectively.
Joining the king and future kings on the balcony were Camilla, Kate, Charlotte and Louis, and other members of the royal family.
Also standing alongside Charles and Camilla were the young men who served as their Pages of Honour.
Charles' pages include his grandson George as well as Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Master Nicholas Barclay and Master Ralph Tollemache.
Camilla's four Pages of Honour are her grandsons, Master Gus Lopes and Master Louis Lopes and Master Freddy Parker Bowles, and her great-nephew Master Arthur Elliot.
After a short pause, Charles and Camilla returned for an encore appearance, with just the two of them on the balcony, waving to the cheering crowds below.
Charles is crowned with 400-year-old crown
The moment of crowning happened as the Archbishop of Canterbury places the St Edwards Crown on Charles’ head.
At that moment, the congregation sang out, “God save the king,” the bells of Westminster Abbey rung and gun salutes were fired across the U.K.
The St Edwards Crown weighs nearly five pounds and is made of solid gold. The coronation service is the only time the king will wear the crown.