Coronation live blog: ++ Numerous royal fans flock to London ++

Even before the beginning of the royal procession of Charles III. numerous people gather in central London. However, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will be absent from the procession. All developments in the live blog.

Now follow the ARD special broadcast live about the celebrations.

Several hours before the coronation, Westminster Abbey opened its doors to guests. The first participants entered the church in central London just after 8.30am (CEST). The most important guests, including heads of state and members of the royal family, were not due to arrive until around 11:30 a.m., with the royal couple arriving shortly before the service began at 12 p.m.

US President Joe Biden will not attend Charles III’s coronation participate. First Lady Jill Biden will represent him on site, as the White House announced in advance. However, he promised the MSNBC TV channel that he would meet the British king in July. Biden said he would stop in London before or after the NATO summit in Vilnius to talk to Charles “about the issue that interests him most, the environment.” Numerous heads of state are expected at the coronation.

Opponents of the monarchy also gathered in Trafalgar Square in the morning, where the royal procession will pass. Hugo, 28, told dpa news agency that the state should not spend hundreds of millions of pounds on the ceremony while people in the country are starving and freezing. Hugo admitted he was nervous about the number of Royals fans. Some friends and colleagues would also criticize his attitude.

Nearly three dozen demonstrators had gathered early in the morning. The “Republic” movement had called for a major protest and announced up to 2,000 people. They want to attract attention with yellow flags that say “Not my king”. On a large banner they demanded: “Abolish the Monarchy”. At first, however, the supporters of the Royals were clearly in the majority. According to surveys, however, doubts about the monarchy are growing nationwide.

Two close family members of King Charles III. play no part in the coronation. Both his younger son Prince Harry and his brother Prince Andrew are present at the ceremony in Westminster Abbey. Afterwards, however, they are missing both in the ceremonial coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace and in the traditional appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of London Castle.

Both men are no longer “working royals”, meaning they do not represent the monarchy on official occasions. Harry had resigned from his royal duties years ago and had moved to the United States with his wife, Duchess Meghan. Andrew largely retired from public view in November 2019 over his involvement in an abuse scandal. His mother Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of all honorary military titles.

Already hours before the beginning of the royal procession of King Charles III. and Queen Camilla, early morning onlookers flocked to central London. Hundreds of Royal fans had camped along the boulevard “The Mall” all night to get good seats. She will take Charles and Camilla from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the morning. Some had been there for days. Many wore hats, glasses and clothing in the colors of the British flag.

During the procession, which is scheduled to start at 11:20 a.m. (CEST) at Buckingham Palace, the royal couple will be driven in the modern “Diamond Jubilee State Coach”. She is scheduled to arrive at the church at 11:53 a.m. (CEST), where Charles and Camilla will then be crowned.

Charles has been king since his mother’s death on September 8, 2022. The coronation merely symbolizes his assumption of office. It is the first coronation of a British monarch in 70 and the first of a king in 86 years. More than 2300 guests will follow the service in Westminster Abbey, plus millions on the screens. Representatives from 203 countries are expected, including around 100 heads of state. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will represent Germany.