London, 6 May 2023 (dpa/MIA) - King Charles III has been crowned the British monarch and prayed to be a “blessing” to people of “every faith and conviction.”

Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church since 1066, as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St Edward’s crown on his head.

The historic moment, watched around the globe, was a fulfilment of the king’s destiny, but followed the death of his mother, queen Elizabeth II, last September after a 70-year reign.

The coronation was a deeply religious ceremony steeped in symbolism and its prayers took the theme of “Called to Serve,” an attribute associated with the late queen who pledged her life to the Commonwealth.

Before the crowning the archbishop delivered a sermon to the 2,300 guests, a gathering of world leaders, celebrities, UK politicians, foreign royalty, everyday heroes and the royal family.

MWelby began by telling the congregation: “We are here to crown a king, and we crown a king to serve.

“What is given today is for the gain of all. For Jesus Christ announced a kingdom in which the poor and oppressed are freed from chains of injustice. The blind see. The bruised and broken-hearted are healed.”

Speaking to Charles and Camilla, Welby said: “The weight of the task given you today, your majesties, is only bearable by the spirit of God, who gives us the strength to give our lives to others.

“With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the king is given freely what no ruler can ever attain through will, or politics, or war, or tyranny: the Holy Spirit draws us to love in action.”

Charles delivered a King’s Prayer, the first time a monarch has spoken words to God aloud during a coronation, and he touched on the duty of the sovereign to serve all communities.

He told the abbey: “God of compassion and mercy whose son was sent not to be served but to serve, give grace that I may find in thy service perfect freedom and in that freedom knowledge of thy truth.

“Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and conviction, that together we may discover the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.”

In the stillness of the abbey, Welby held St Edward’s crown high above Charles and, placing it on his head, said “God save the king” – words repeated by the congregation.

The archbishop adjusted the position of the crown on the king’s head for several seconds before it sat comfortably.

A fanfare was played and the abbey’s bells rang for two minutes after the crowning, with gun salutes fired from nearby Horse Guards Parade, the Tower of London and saluting stations across the nation and from warships at sea.

Volleys were heard at castles in Hillsborough in Northern Ireland, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and also at Stonehenge and HMS Lancaster, which had sailed to Sudan to help British citizens and others escape the fighting in Khartoum.

In a change, the controversial “Homage of the People” element of the service was toned down after there was widespread criticism of the new element.

Welby “invited” a show of support from the congregation rather than a “call” to those in the abbey and elsewhere to swear allegiance to the king.

Queen Camilla was then crowned with Queen Mary’s crown after she was anointed in public in a break with tradition.

During the crowning the queen was seen adjusting her hair out of her face.

Earlier, Charles and Camilla’s diamond jubilee coach arrived at the abbey, following a procession from Buckingham Palace, in the midst of a sovereign’s escort provided by the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals and Life Guards with their shining breastplates and plumed helmets and led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment band.

The monarch and his wife’s entrance through the west door was heralded by a fanfare from four state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and the abbey congregation stood as one.

A large ceremonial procession was lined up before the king and queen with representatives of all elements of the nation’s ceremonial and spiritual life.

There were recipients of Orders of Chivalry and Gallantry, Heralds from the College of Arms in their colourful tunics, senior clergy associated with the monarchy and the glittering coronation regalia carried by leading figures.

St Edward’s crown was carried by General Gordon Messenger, lord high steward of England.

With their lavish and unwieldy robes, the king and queen walked single file along the nave of the abbey with Camilla ahead of Charles as the hymn "I Was Glad As They Said Unto Me" was sung.

The coronation service began with a new element when the king was greeted by 14-year-old Samuel Strachan, the longest-serving chorister of the choir of the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.

The chorister, who attends the City of London School, welcomed the monarch in the name of the “king of kings” – a reference to Jesus Christ – and Charles replied: “In his name, and after his example, I come not to be served, but to serve.”

Before the king took the oath – making a succession of promises, including to maintain in the UK the Protestant reformed religion established by law – the archbishop delivered a preface to Charles’s declaration – another first.

He told the congregation the Church of England, which is headed by the king, will seek to foster an environment where “people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely” – echoing the words of the late queen and Charles.

Charles was anointed with holy oil away from public view, shielded by the anointing screen.

The dean of Westminster will have poured oil from the ampulla – an eagle-shaped vessel – into the coronation spoon – the oldest object in the coronation regalia.

Using his fingers, the archbishop will then have anointed the king on his hands, breast, and head.

Thousands of royal fans have joined crowds in central London to celebrate the king’s coronation.

As anticipation mounted on Saturday morning, a group of republicans were arrested around 7:30 am (0630 GMT) more than four hours before the coronation service began.

Footage on Twitter showed Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, being apprehended by police in St Martin’s Lane, Westminster.

Protest group Just Stop Oil also said approximately 13 demonstrators were arrested on The Mall, as well as five at Downing Street.

Photo: dpa