Carlos III and Camila are now officially King and Queen of the United Kingdom. During the day of this Saturday, the couple has celebrated the beginning of their reign. It had been almost 70 years since the country had witnessed a coronation ceremony, and thousands of people have taken to the streets of London to experience it live. A celebration that has seen its peak this Saturday, with the enthronement of the king at the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury. But, if there has been a moment that has remained etched in the memory of many, it has been the greeting of the kings from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
As we said, the day of this Saturday has been most emotional. The climax came this afternoon at Westminster Abbey, when the Archbishop of Canterbury placed the King on the throne with his crown and royal sceptres, and swore allegiance to him and his heirs. This procedure has officially established the reign of Carlos III. In addition, it has been possible to observe how William, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, has placed his father's stole around his neck and has knelt before the new British monarch.
Few are the lucky ones who have been able to witness the coronation in Westminster Abbey, taking into account the large number of people who are gathered near the key points of the celebration route. Just over 2,000 people have been able to access the temple. There have been no extensions with extra seats, as happened with the coronation of Isabel II, where the capacity of the place was exceeded.
Among the guests, there have been some artists such as the actress Emma Thompson or the singer Katy Perry. Also attended by a large number of representatives of the royal houses and foreign dignitaries, who have been photographed on their arrival at the Abbey. It has been a most emotional ceremony where all the guests have witnessed the new era that the United Kingdom is experiencing. An era that began after the death of Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022.
Carlos III and Camila, who had made the trip in the Diamond Jubilee float, returned to Buckingham aboard the Golden State float. After receiving the honors and salute from the military, the couple experienced one of the most moving moments of their coronation: the salute from the Buckingham balcony. There they were supported by a large part of the British Royal Family. The 62nd monarch of the United Kingdom, has loomed for the first time as king of all Britons.
The moment could not have been more emotional. The ovation of the crowd gathered in the place has been overwhelming, just like the six minutes in which more than 60 planes from the British Army and the Royal Air Force have flown over The Mall, central London, doing acrobatics. During this moment, the kings could be seen really excited.
The first time that Carlos III appeared on this balcony was in June 1951. Probably, he himself does not remember it, since he had not yet turned three years old. From there he contemplated in amazement the parade in honor of his grandfather, George VI. Later, already in 1953, he occupied the balcony for the first time as the son of Queen Elizabeth II, as future heir, the role he played for seventy years. Precisely, the last time he could be seen on the balcony was last June, accompanying Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee. Unknowingly, the Royal Family was about to usher in a new era.
As we said, during this moment he has been accompanied by the rest of his family. The princes of Wales and their three children, princes George, Charlotte and Louis, have remained close to the couple at all times. In addition, two of the king's three siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, have also been there. Nor were the two ladies who accompanied Camilla throughout the day, her only sister, Annabel Elliot, and her best friend Fiona, Marchioness of Lansdowne, absent. Without a doubt, this day will be kept in the memory of all of them.
