Charles III has been crowned King of the United Kingdom in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The Archbishop of Canterbury placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on the new king’s head as he sat upon a 14th century throne. The ceremony, which was steeped in ancient traditions, drew a global audience and was attended by Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Dr Sudeep Dhankhar, who represented India at the event. They joined other Commonwealth Heads of State at the ceremony. Prior to the coronation, Dhankhar met with the king during a reception at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony also saw protests from anti-monarchy group Republic, with the leader of the group being arrested along with other protesters.
Charles III’s wife, Queen Consort Camilla, was also crowned during the two-hour event. Premier League clubs marked the occasion by playing the national anthem before the start of their games. Chelsea women’s team striker Sam Kerr led the Australian delegation in a formal procession into Westminster Abbey, where she was her country’s flag-bearer as part of a group with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Tottenham screened the live coverage of the coronation on a big screen outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for fans with tickets to its home game against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool also played the national anthem but acknowledged that some supporters have strong views on it. The league had contacted clubs playing home games and “strongly suggested” they note the historic occasion. Liverpool supporters had previously booed the national anthem when it was played ahead of the FA Cup final a year ago and the Community Shield in July because of opposition towards the establishment.
Overall, the coronation ceremony was a historic event that drew a global audience and marked the beginning of a new era for the United Kingdom under King Charles III.