11.20 (Dutch time): procession

King Charles and Queen Camilla boarded their carriage and drove from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, where the coronation will take place. Two hundred British soldiers took part in the procession, with another thousand standing along the route. But the procession was quieter than seventy years ago, when Queen Elizabeth was crowned.

Nice detail: Charles and Camilla went to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State carriage instead of – according to BBC less comfortable – The Gold State carriage has been used at every coronation since 1831. The Diamond Train was built in Australia in 2012 in honor of Elizabeth’s 60th birthday. The Gold State carriage was used on the way back after the coronation.

The first fans are already waiting along the route:

12 noon: Westminster Abbey Service

Charles and Camilla will arrive at Westminster Abbey around noon, the service will last two hours. Few guests have been invited compared to Elizabeth’s coronation, said British correspondent Anne Saenen. “That was deliberately done to keep the service cheap. In these inflationary times, the royal family deemed it unwise to invite thousands of people. Charles also chose to invite many ordinary Englishmen rather than heads of state and people in the royal nobility. There would be 850 citizens who have received ribbons or done volunteer work.”

Willem-Alexander and Máxima

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have also received invitations. Princess Beatrix and Princess Amalia were not allowed to attend the coronation, they were invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace on Friday evening.

This service consists of several phases. In the first phase, King Charles is presented to the ‘people’. In the second phase, Charles took the investiture vows. In it he promised to uphold the law and Church of England during his reign and to become ‘a staunch Protestant’.

Blessed olive oil

The third phase revolves around anointing with the olive oil consecrated in Jerusalem. Charles became not only the official king of England, but also the head of the Anglican Church. “Consecrated oil is poured into a very special silver spoon. The spoon dates from the 12th century and has been used for oiling since 1603,” says Saenen. We couldn’t see the sacred rituals. “It was a very personal and intimate moment that would be out of sight of the world. Gold screens would be placed around the seats.”

Crown 2.2 kilos

The fourth phase is the highest moment when Charles is actually enthroned. “The crown is made of pure gold, contains more than four hundred precious stones and weighs 2.2 kilograms. Elizabeth sometimes lets slip because the crown is very heavy,” said Saenen. And valuable, of course. “After the service, the crown was immediately locked and locked in the Tower of London. All the other crown jewels of the British royal family were also there.”

After the coronation, Charles will ascend the throne. Then it was Camilla’s turn. He was also anointed, crowned and placed on a throne, but unlike Charles, he did not have to swear an oath. And good news for Camilla: the crown weighs only 590 grams.

3:30 p.m.: Balcony view of Buckingham Palace

Since the coronation of Edward VII in 1902, it has been customary for the new monarch to greet the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The British royal family has yet to announce which family members will be attending, but according to Saenen it is certain Prince Harry and Andrew will not be on the balcony.

“Harry had said he would be flying back to the United States immediately after the coronation, in his own words to be able to attend his son Archie’s birthday. I thought it was a wise choice. The British were happy he was there to show he cared her father, but if she draws too much attention to herself, she won’t be appreciated by people.”

Picnic and beer

And the British? “63 per cent of Brits say they have no plans on coronation day, but I doubt it. If the sun is shining they will probably go outside and you will be confronted with it. Most Brits go on a picnic and have a beer. It’s nice and comfortable,” the correspondent said.

And those picnic traditions count too. “Royal dishes are always served at coronations. At that time, Elizabeth came up with Coronation Chicken, the kind of curried chicken sandwich you still find in supermarkets by that name.” Charles has also shared his favorite recipe. “He chose a quiche with chickpeas and spinach.”

Concert

The rest of the weekend is also a party in England, he reports british royal family. On Sunday 7 May, the King will give a concert at Windsor Castle which will be broadcast live. Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, among others, will make appearances. Monday 8 May is all about volunteering and is an official holiday for the UK.