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King Charles's coronation: The highs, lows and moments you might have missed

Britain's King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey after coronation ceremony, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Humphrey Nemar/Pool Photo via AP)
A newly-crowned King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey. (AP)

Tens of thousands of people packed the streets of London on Saturday to witness the once-in-a-generation event of King Charles III's coronation.

Britain's new monarch was greeted with a sea of red, white and blue as admirers waved Union Flags during the procession ceremony from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

However, not everyone was feeling so jubilant about the occasion, with the Metropolitan Police arresting a number of anti-monarchist protesters, confiscating a number of placards reading "Not my King".

Whatever your allegiance, Saturday 6 May was a rare moment in modern history – the UK's first coronation since 1953.

Here, Yahoo News UK takes a look at some of the highlights and some of the moments you may have missed.

Anti-monarchy protesters arrested

police arrest several anti monarchists from the group Republics Credit: graham mitchell/Alamy Live News
Police arrested several members of anti-monarchist group Republic. (Alamy Live News)

The Metropolitan Police came under heavy criticism after a number of anti-monarchist protesters were arrested ahead of the King's procession.

Among those detained was Graham Smith, leader of the anti-monarchy group Republic, who tweeted: "As we speak the whole core team of Republic is still being detained. We are not given a reason. They will probably be released when the whole monarchy pr-show is over."

Harry heads home in a hurry

The Duke of Sussex is understood to have flown to the UK on a commercial American Airlines flight for his father's coronation.

It was the first time Harry had seen his family since publishing his explosive memoir Spare, but he didn't have much time to heal any family divisions as he headed back to the US just hours after the ceremony.

The moment King Charles III was crowned

Britain's King Charles III wears the Imperial State Crown and holds the Sovereign's Sceptre as he leaves after his coronation ceremony, at Westminster Abbey, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Mark Large/Pool Photo via AP)
King Charles III wears the Imperial State Crown and holds the Sovereign's Sceptre. (AP)

It was a moment Charles would have anticipated most of his life, and the first time Britain has crowned a monarch in 70 years.

The congregation at Westminster Abbey proclaimed "God Save the King" as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the St Edward's Crown on Charles’ head – symbolising his ascension to the throne.

Prince Andrew is booed

Britain's Prince Andrew leaves Buckingham Palace on the day of Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Prince Andrew looked sour faced as he was booed by a crowd of people. (Reuters)

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, was booed by a crowd in the grandstand in front of Buckingham Palace as he was driven down the Mall to Westminster Abbey.

It was previously announced that the disgraced prince would have no formal role in the ceremony, having stepped down as a working royal over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and his now-settled lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre.

Ant and Dec among stars to arrive at King's coronation

Beloved TV presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly were among the stars invited to join the congregation of 2,200 people at Westminster Abbey – although the humble pair thought it was a joke at first.

In an interview with ITV, Donnelly said: "I was like, 'This has gotta be a wind-up.' Somebody has surely thought it's our time to be wound up, and this is it.' But no, it was for real and here we are. Can't quite believe it."

Prince Charles's swollen fingers start trending again

This isn't the first time attention has been drawn to the King's swollen fingers, and it probably won't be the last.

Interest in Charles's "sausage fingers" spikes online every time a major royal event is held, and the coronation was no exception.

While Charles has never addressed what might be the cause of his seemingly swollen hands, at 74 he seems in good health.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: King Charles III holds the Sovereign's Ring, also called the Coronation Ring, during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. (Photo by Aaron Chown  - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
King Charles III holds the Sovereign's Ring, also called the Coronation Ring, during his coronation ceremony. (Getty Images)

Charles breaks from tradition

The King was presented the "wedding ring of England" by the Archbishop of Canterbury, just as his mother Elizabeth II was in 1953.

The large sapphire and ruby ring is meant to be placed on the fourth finger of the monarch's right hand, but in a break from tradition, Charles did not wear the item.

William kisses the king

Britain's newly-crowned monarch looked emotional as his eldest son William, the Prince of Wales, kissed his cheek after his coronation.

Kneeling before his father in a tender moment, the heir apparent 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.”

Charlotte and Louis spotted fidgeting

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. (Photo by Yui Mok  - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Louis, five, struggled to hold his concentration during the ceremony. (Getty Images)

Charlotte and Louis are aged eight and five, so you can hardly blame them for fidgeting as they sat in Westminster Abbey.

Louis, in particular, drew attention as he yawned during the ceremony and starred towards the ceiling.

Harry in the third row

After a turbulent few years that have seen Prince Harry step back as a working royal and make a number of controversial claims about the family, the Duke of Sussex sat in the third row away from Kate Middleton and Prince William.

Despite his troubles with the family, the duke still appeared in good spirits. He was spotted having a chat with Jack Brooksbank, the husband of Princess Eugenie, with whom the prince is close.

Camilla crowned

Queen Camilla is crowned with Queen Mary's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, in Westminster Abbey, London, Saturday May 6, 2023. (Yui Mok, Pool via AP)
The crowning of Queen Camilla shows how far she has come through the course of her relationship with Charles. (AP)

The historic day also saw Queen Camilla crowned beside the King – a symbolic moment reflecting how far she has come from her days as Charles's mistress.

After Charles was crowned, the Archbishop of Canterbury performed the ancient ritual of anointing and crowning, then called on the new Queen to be filled with "princely virtues".

Cheeky George and Louis make more funny faces

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06:  Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.  (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Louis making funny faces on the balcony is becoming a much-loved royal tradition. (Getty Images)

In what is becoming a staple of major royal events, Prince Louis was pictured making some iconic funny faces from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the Red Arrows flew overhead.

Meanwhile, George was pictured sticking out his tongue as he lined up with other pages of honour to hold Charles's ceremonial robe.

Freddie Parker-Bowles 'wears Tottenham Hotspur kit under pageboy outfit'

The Queen's grandson Freddy Parker-Bowles is a die-hard Tottenham Hotspurs fan, and showed his dedication by wearing the team's strip underneath his pageboy outfit, according to Sky News presenter Kay Burley.

Fergie 'moved to tears' by coronation

The Duchess of York said she was "moved to tears" as she watched King Charles being crowned from her sofa at home.

Prince Andrew's ex-wife told The Independent: “Like billions of others I was entranced by what I saw: Britain’s legacy and traditions paraded before the world by a country and royal family ancient in its history but modern in its outlook. I am also so proud of my own family there. Long live the King."

Katy Perry struggles to find her seat

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Katy Perry during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.     Gareth Cattermole/Pool via REUTERS
Katy Perry got a little bit lost in Westminster Abbey. (Reuters)

Katy Perry had a bit of trouble finding her seat in Westminster Abbey. She appeared to ask other people for guidance as she strode among the pews in her giant pink fascinator... which may have been blocking her view.

Penny Mordaunt a break-out star in sword-carrying role

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt, holding the Sword of State walking ahead of King Charles III during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Penny Mordaunt put in some extra training for her ceremonial sword role. (Getty Images)

Penny Mordaunt was praised for her dedication during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey as she held a ceremonial sword for more than an hour.

As lord president of the Council, the politician was the first woman to present the Jewelled Sword of Offering. Ahead of the big day she revealed she'd been "doing some press-ups" in preparation.

Horse rears backwards into crowds

A few horses were seen becoming unsteady on their feet at the procession, one of which reared backwards into the crowd as it appeared to become spooked.

As the Gold State Coach carrying the King and Queen back to Buckingham Palace rounded the corner from Whitehall to The Mall, a horse behind the carriage began walking backwards and crashed into the barriers, but no one appeared to be hurt.