Britain marks coronation of King Charles in rainy London
- Some 2 million people expected in London for King Charles’ coronation celebrations
- At 74, King Charles is the oldest person to ascend to the throne in British history
At 74, he is the oldest person to assume the throne in British history. His mother was Britain’s longest-serving monarch, spending 70 years on the throne after the death of her father in 1952.
“We can say to the king of kings himself, God, as does the king today, give grace that in thy service I may find perfect freedom,” Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said during a service at historic Westminster Abbey. “By that prayer for every king, for every ruler, and, yes, for every person, all of us, we are opened to the transforming love of God.”
The coronation was a smaller affair than Queen Elizabeth’s in 1953.
About 2,300 dignitaries were invited to attend the two-hour service at Westminster Abbey, including 100 heads of state and members of international royalty.
