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For more than a thousand years, England’s kings and queens have come and gone from their gilded throne.
But each time that bejeweled scepter is passed, history is made. And one such moment happens today, as King Charles III makes his way to Westminster Abbey to have that solid gold, gemstone-laden St. Edward’s Crown set upon his 74-year-old head.
No question the royal family is navigating rough waters. Many of its current and former subjects both question the institution’s relevance and demand an accounting for centuries of colonial rule. Others still are caught up in the unending personal scandals swirling around the divorced, multi-racial and sprawling clan.
But for one moment, that all can perhaps be set aside in order to take in an exquisite and decorous pageant inimitably crafted by one of the planet’s oldest monarchies.
Here are all of Charles‘ biggest moments of the historic day.
WATCH LIVE:King Charles III’s coronation live updatesKing Charles and Queen Camilla formally crowned
The Archbishop of Canterbury placed the St. Edward’s crown atop the king’s head, pausing to ensure it was placed correctly.
King Charles will wear two crowns during the ceremony: St. Edward’s crown and the Imperial State Crown. The former crown will only be used for ceremony purposes before being switched out for the Imperial Crown, or Tudor Crown, for the procession back to Buckingham Palace.
Queen Camilla was next to be crowned. The archbishop placed Queen Mary’s Crown atop her head. Camilla chose to be adorned with the headpiece, marking the first time a queen consort will be crowned with an already existing crown. Queen Mary’s crown was created in 1911 for Queen Mary’s coronation but was customized for Camilla with new diamonds that belonged to Queen Elizabeth.
