Prince WilliamandKate Middletonare celebratingKing Charles’coronation— and their first Buckingham Palace balcony appearance since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales.
WhilePrincess CharlotteandPrince Louisstood with their parents,Prince Georgetook his place among his fellow Pages of Honor near King Charles.
BBC
The scheduled flypast took place — but was scaled down due to rain. Despite the gloomy weather, thousands gathered along the procession route and stood outside Buckingham Palace to welcome the new King.
King Charles, 74, wore the Imperial State Crown while Queen Camilla, 75, wore the St. Mary’s Crown for the balcony appearance. (Although the King was crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown, he swapped it for the less heavy headpiece at the end of the Westminster Abbey service.)
The royals make appearances on the palace balcony to watch flypasts for special occasions such as the monarch’s annual birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, but this is the first time in 70 years that they’ve celebrated a coronation. It also marks the first balcony appearance for King Charles as monarch.
William and Katewere named the Prince and Princess of WalesafterQueen Elizabeth’s death in September. In his first speech as King, Charles said of his eldest son and heir, “Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”
The next time the couple mark a coronation on the Buckingham Palace balcony, they’ll be starting William’s reign as king.
Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images
At the request of the King and Queen,Prince Williamand Princess Kate both wore formal robes and mantels for coronation.
Princess Kate wore a Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen headpiece with silver bullion, crystal and silver thread work three-dimensional leaf embroidery — and her daughter, 8-year-oldPrincess Charlotte, wore a coordinating headtopper.
Kate Middleton.Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty
The royal also sported some incredible pieces from the royal jewelry box — she sparkled in pearl and diamond earrings that belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. She also wore the George VI Festoon Necklace, a piece made in 1950 at the request of King George VI for his daughter Princess Elizabeth (laterQueen Elizabeth).
During the ceremony,Prince William kneltbefore King Charles and placed his hands in his father’s. He said, “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
He then touched the monarch’s crown and kissed his cheek, prompting King Charles to say what appeared to be, “Thank you, William.”
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Prince William, 40, and Princess Kate, 41, will likely return to the Buckingham Palace balcony again next month. The palace announced that the annual festival celebrating the monarch’s birthday will take place on June 17.
source: people.com
