In photos: Royal excitement grows in London as King Charles’s coronation nears
In Britain, where Westminster Abbey has been the setting for every coronation since 1066, the ceremony has remained essentially unchanged for nearly a thousand years. But in keeping with Charles’ stated vision for a smaller, more modern monarchy, his coronation ceremony is expected to be shorter, smaller and less expensive than those of monarchs past. Buckingham Palace said it planned to send invitations to “over 2,000 guests”; compare that with the 8,000 invitations sent out for the two most recent coronations, those of Elizabeth II (1953) and George VI (1937).
British Artist Julian Beaver gives the finishing touches to his work based on an image of King Charles in London.Emilio Morenatti/The Associated Press
Two women, one dressed in a King Charles decorated dress, look out on The Mall in London.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
Royal fans are seen camping out along the procession route with the their tents and camping chairs on The Mall, near to Buckingham Palace in central London.JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
Summer, 5, poses in front of an imitation of St Edward's crown ahead of the Coronation of King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, in London.CLODAGH KILCOYNE/Reuters
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales speaks to members of the public during a visit to the Dog & Duck Pub in Soho, central London.JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
A tourist with his two sons pose for a photo in a toy store in central London.Emilio Morenatti/The Associated Press
An artist paints a picture on The Mall in London.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
King Charles receives, Roseanne Archibald, left, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations, Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, Cassidy Caron, President, National Metis Council and Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapirlit Kanatami, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London.Gareth Fuller/The Associated Press
One of many Royal fans sits in her tent on The Mall in London.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
People take photos of Chelsea Pensioners on The Mall in London.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
Cups of tea in Union flag cups are seen on The Mall in London.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
Personnel from the Royal Air Force rehearse for the Coronation procession at RAF Halton, Britain.Joe Giddens/The Associated Press
A sign reading, 'It's a Royal Party' is seen on a tent on The Mall in London.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
A man holds a life-size cardboard of Britain's King Charles and Camilla Queen Consort along the King's Coronation route at The Mall in London.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press
Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales travel on London Underground's Elizabeth Line in central London on their way to visit the Dog & Duck pub in Soho.Jordan Pettitt/The Associated Press
Royal memorabilia decorates a fence along the King's Coronation route at The Mall in London.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press
A man walks by a poster celebrating the Coronation of King Charles in London.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit the The Dog and Duck Pub in Soho, London.PETER NICHOLLS/Reuters
People ride in a horse drawn carriage known as the 'Coronation Carriage' created by Uber ahead of King Charles' Coronation, in Dulwich Park, in London.MAJA SMIEJKOWSKA/Reuters
A woman wearing Union Jack sunglasses smiles as she waits on King's Charles' Coronation route along The Mall in London.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press
Cardboard cutouts picturing Camilla, Queen Consort and King Charles are displayed on the window of a pub in a street adorn with Union Jack flags, in Windsor.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Bruce and Bernadette Christie from Grand Prairie, Alta., hang their Canadian flags along the fence where they are camped out before the official coronation of King Charles near Buckingham Palace along the Mall in London.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Performers on stilts dressed as King's Lifeguard soldiers are seen at a promotional event in London.LEON NEAL/Getty Images
A woman poses next to an art installation celebrating the Coronation of King Charles in London.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press
A soldier smokes a cigarette outside a pub adorned with a flag commemorating the upcoming coronation of King Charles, in Gibraltar.JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images
Royal super fan Donna Werner from the U.S. shows her celebratory handmade royal hat ahead of the Coronation of King Charles, in London.MAJA SMIEJKOWSKA/Reuters
Britain's Royal Family scarecrows standing on a balcony are pictured in the village of Sheriffhales, Shifnal, Shropshire, Britain.CARL RECINE/Reuters
Angie Heart, from Brantford, Ont., sits in her tent as people line up days before the official coronation of King Charles near Buckingham Palace along the Mall in London.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
A woman poses next to a life-size cardboard cutout of Britain's King Charles along the King's Coronation route at The Mall in London.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press