The king and queen thank the “glorious occasion”

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May 7, 2023, 13:00 GMT

Updated 4 minutes ago

Buckingham Palace said King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were crowned in a lavish, historic ceremony on Saturday, were deeply affected by the day’s events.

The palace said the royal couple were “extremely grateful” to everyone who helped make it “such a glorious occasion” and to the “many” who came out to show their support.

Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales have taken a surprise trip to Windsor.

The crowd cheered as the couple chatted to people participating in the big lunch.

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Watch: William sipping a homemade “Purple Reign” cocktail in Windsor

The day before in Westminster Abbey, more than 2,000 guests including world leaders and fellow kings and queens, celebrities and community heroes crowded the benches to witness the king’s coronation.

Outside, thousands lined the Mall despite the rain to cheer the King as his horse-drawn carriage rode from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

Later, the couple, still in their crowns, appeared on the balcony of the palace to wave to the rain-soaked audience, eager to be part of a moment in British history.

Millions of people around the world watched the first coronation in 70 years.

Provisional figures indicate that in the UK alone, it was watched by at least 18 million viewers.

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Tea, cake and Union Jacks in Regent’s Park, London

Image source, Rex Features

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Anyone for tea? Rishi Sunak sits next to US First Lady Jill Biden at the Downing Street lunch

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The Princess of Wales hugs a tearful little girl in Windsor

The festivities continue on Sunday with thousands of street parties and lunches planned before a star-studded concert.

In Windsor, Prince and Princess William and Catherine chatted and shook hands with people strolling along The Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle. Many will be preparing for the coronation ceremony on Sunday night.

The lunchtime crowd shouted “Hip Hop Hooray” as the royals sipped a homemade drinking cocktail, called Purple Rain, out of paper jack cups while talking to a group of women in foam crowns.

Catherine, who was wearing a pale blue jacket, smiled for a selfie with a woman and came over to console a crying little girl, overwhelmed by the occasion.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined a grand coronation lunch in Cranley, Surrey, while the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, were at a community street party in Swindon.

The Duke of York’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will be in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, for a big lunch.

In Downing Street, the prime minister and his wife are hosting their own lunch for community figures, Ukrainian families, youth groups – and US First Lady Jill Biden, who represented President Biden at Saturday’s coronation.

In all, around 50,000 Coronation Luncheons are expected to take place in the UK and across the world.

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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh mingle with the crowds in Cranley, Surrey

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The Princess Royal visits a street party in Swindon

The King and Queen expressed their hope that the events would be “really fun,” in a message posted on the royal family’s official Instagram account.

Later at 20:00 GMT, the coronation ceremony will take place at Windsor Castle and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2.

Big names include Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who were at Saturday’s coronation, as well as Take That, Olly Murs, and Paloma Faith.

There will also be musical favorites from world-class orchestras and joint performances from the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal College of Music and Royal College of Art.

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