Photos: Britain crowns King Charles III, Queen Camilla

Britain's King Charles III wearing the Imperial state Crown, and Britain's Queen Camilla wearing a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown wave from the Buckingham Palace balcony after viewing the Royal Air Force fly-past in central London on May 6, 2023, after their coronations.

Britain's Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Anne, Princess Royal,Britain's Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their children Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony following Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony in London, Britain .

Red Arrows fly over Nelson's Column following Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony, in London, Britain.

A view of The Mall following the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, Britain May 6, 2023.

London: King Charles III was crowned as King of the United Kingdom after St. Edward's crown was placed on his head at a ceremony Saturday in Westminster Abbey in London. The abbey erupted in cheers of "God save the king!"

The dean brought the Crown of St. Edward to the archbishop, who said the prayer of blessing: "King of kings and lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it."

The newly crowned King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, headed back to Buckingham Palace following their coronation at Westminster Abbey. The procession of royals and 7,000 troops was thronged by crowds of spectators.

More than 2,200 guests from across the world attended the ceremony at the abbey, a televised spectacle meets power-projecting ritual with a generous dose of religion.

After Camilla was crowned, the abbey choir and coronation orchestra performed the anthem composed especially for the coronation, entitled "Make a Joyful Noise." Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, better known for his Broadway musicals, said he adapted Psalm 98 for the occasion in consultation with King Charles.

All of the events were taking place in London's historic Westminster Abbey, where Britain's royals have been crowned for nearly 1,000 years.

The first documented coronation at the abbey took place on Dec. 25, 1066, when William the Conqueror became king, according to the abbey. Henry III rebuilt the church in the Gothic style from 1245, with the next coronation taking place in 1274.

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned there in 1953, with millions of people across the world tuning in to watch the ceremony on television.

The coronation of King Charles III marks the 40th coronation of a reigning monarch in Westminster Abbey.

Unlike King Charles III, Queen Camilla was anointed in full public view. It is the first time that guests in Westminster Abbey and a television audience worldwide have been able to witness this moment, considered among the most sacred of the service.

There have been 28 queen consorts crowned at Westminster Abbey, the first being Matilda, the wife of William the Conqueror. The last one to be crowned was Charles's beloved grandmother, widely known as the Queen Mother. She was anointed behind a canopy. There were no TV cameras.

Camilla was crowned with a headpiece known as Queen Mary's Crown, designed for Mary to wear at George V's coronation in 1911. It has a silver frame and is set with more 2,000 diamonds, including some added from the late Queen Elizabeth II - a personal touch.

The St Edward's Crown (above) placed upon Charles's head, at about five pounds, is a whopper. The 361-year-old bejeweled headpiece is a key part of the royal regalia that give the British monarchy in the 21st century its air of longevity and power, with a light dusting of divine right.

It's solid gold, 12 inches tall and 26 inches in circumference, and bedecked with 444 precious and semiprecious stones. It was recently re-sized to fit Charles's head and usually resides on a pillow at the Crown Jewels display at the Tower of London.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales and Britain's Prince Louis of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey.

Britain's King Charles III arrives at Westminster Abbey.

Britain's King Charles III arrives at Westminster Abbey for his coronation.

Britain's King Charles III enters Westminster Abbey through the Great West Door, in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of his coronation.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey to his coronation ceremony in London, Britain May 6, 2023.

Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort travel in the Diamond State Coach, in the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of their coronations.

Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, during the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of their coronations.

Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort begin their journey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, in the 'King's Procession', a journey of two kilometres from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of their coronations.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey to his (their) coronation ceremony in London.