The coronation — a symbolic coming together of the monarchy, church and state — is being attended by dignitaries from around the world, and thousands of people have gathered in London to take in all the pageantry. It's Britain's first coronation in 70 years.
After the two-hour ceremony, Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla — who will also be crowned — will travel back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach, which has been used in every coronation since 1831. They will then make an appearance on the palace balcony alongside other members of the royal family and watch a flypast of 60 aircraft.
On Sunday, thousands of events are scheduled to take place across the country as part of the "Coronation Big Lunch," while Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Take That will headline the "Coronation Concert" at Windsor Castle in the evening.
Charles instantly became King in September when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died at the age of 96. She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
The King, center, and Queen Camilla, front center, arrive at Westminster Abbey. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool/AP
St Edward's Crown, which will be used to crown the King during the coronation, is carried inside Westminster Abbey. Phil Noble/Pool/Reuters
Prince William and his wife, Catherine, arrive for the coronation. Behind them are two of their children, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. Their third child, Prince George, was taking part in the procession as a page of honor, attending the King and Queen throughout the service. Phil Noble/Pool/Getty Images
Prince Harry, William's brother, enters Westminster Abbey. He accepted the invitation to his father's coronation but was without his wife, Meghan, who stayed back in California with the couple's two children. Andrew Matthews/PA/AP
The Queen enters Westminster Abbey. The King and Queen entered the Abbey to the strains of "I was glad," the stirring coronation anthem written by Hubert Parry for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. It has been sung at all coronations since then. Phil Noble/Pool/Reuters The King walks into Westminster Abbey for his coronation. Ben Birchall/PA/AP The King is seen near his grandson Prince George, one of his pages of honor. Henry Nicholls/Reuters
The King's carriage leaves Buckingham Palace before the coronation. Brandon Bell/Getty Images The King and Queen travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach as they make their short journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Niall Carson/PA Images/Getty Images Guests wait inside Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation ceremony. Gareth Cattermole/Pool/Reuters
Princess Charlotte is seen in a car traveling to the coronation. Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
Foot guards with the British Army's Household Division march on the procession route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation. Marco Bertoorello/AFP/Getty Images Jill Biden, first lady of the United States, arrives at Westminster Abbey. Biden, who is leading the US delegation, traveled with her granddaughter Finnegan Biden. Jacob King/PA/AP
Musicians perform at Westminster Abbey before the coronation ceremony. Andrew Matthews/PA/AP
Singer Lionel Richie poses for a selfie at Westminster Abbey. The coronation guests include celebrities and world leaders. Gareth Cattermole/Pool/Reuters
Royal Navy sailors stand at attention on the Mall in London. Charles McQuillan/Pool/Reuters
People line the procession route in London. Sarah Tilotta/CNN
Members of the public look out onto Parliament Square ahead of the coronation. Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
Police officers detain a protester ahead of the King's procession. Several arrests were made Saturdayas protesters gathered near the procession route. Yara Nardi/Pool/Reuters
A boy watches guards march on the streets in front of Big Ben. Marko Djurica/Retuers
Order-of-service booklets are seen at Westminster Abbey as guests arrive for the coronation. Phil Noble/Pool/Reuters
Troops march in London ahead of the coronation ceremony. Andrew Boyers/Reuters
Actress Emma Thompson arrives for the coronation. Jane Barlow/Pool/AP
A child has paint applied to his face while waiting for the procession. Sarah Tilotta/CNN
Protesters in Trafalgar Square, just south of the procession route, hold up placards saying "This country is ours!" and "Not my King." Susannah Ireland/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Coldstream Guards march on the procession route before the coronation. Marco Bertoorello/AFP/Getty Images
Preparations are made on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Toby Hancock/CNN
Members of the public get in the party mood in London's Hyde Park. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
People travel into London to be a part of the historic day. Sarah Tilotta/CNN
A royal fan sleeps along the procession route on Friday. Emilio Morenatti/AP
The King meets well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace during a walkabout on Friday. Toby Melville/Pool/Reuters
People in London look at the official coronation program on Friday. Sarah Tilotta/CNN
Westminster staff and police take cover from the rain on Friday. Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
A man rests on the Mall in London a day before the coronation. Toby Hancock/CNN
A storefront window in London is decorated with framed photographs and a painting of the King on Thursday. Emilio Morenatti/AP
