See Photos One Year Later

Adorable Royal Arrivals

Princess Charlotte was on big sister duty, holding hands with Prince Louis as the siblings processed into Westminster Abbey for their grandfather’s coronation behind their parents (while Prince George was on Page of Honor duty, entering the crowning ceremony with King Charles rather than his family). Prince William said the next day that Charlotte was “very tired” after “making sure her little brother behaved himself” at the event.

Matching Mom and Daughter

Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte had the ultimate mother-daughter matching moment at the coronation, sporting coordinating headpieces by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen and similar white outfits by McQueen.

The stunning hair accessories nodded to the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth, looking similar to the ones worn by the late Queen’s maids at her crowning.

“If they did take inspiration from those ornaments, it was a nice way to give Kate something that stood out visually while still reinforcing her current role as a supporter of the King and Queen,” Lauren Kiehna of The Court Jeweller blog told PEOPLE.

Prince George Makes History

Prince George’s role as a Page of Honor to his grandfather put him in the royal history books. He was the youngest future monarch to be officially involved in a coronation service, according to The Telegraph. (While 4-year-old Prince Charles was brought in to watch part of his mother Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 and 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth witnessed the crowning ceremony of her father King George VI in 1937, neither participated.)

“His parents are very excited and delighted that he is a page,” a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales told PEOPLE ahead of the event. “It’s something that his parents have thought long and hard about and are very much looking forward to — and I’m sure George is too.”

A Regal Yawn

At just 5 years old, Prince Louis was likely the youngest attendee at his grandfather’s coronation. The big day meant an early start — and a few stray yawns from the little royal throughout the ceremony. At one point, Prince Louis was no longer sitting with his parents and sister — but after a short break, he was back to ride in the carriage procession back to the palace!

Prince Harry’s Return

Prince Harry traveled solo to the U.K. from California, where he has lived since 2020 with Meghan Markle and their children, to see his father’s coronation. The Duke of Sussex smiled as he walked in with his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as well as their husbands and took his seat in the third row. After the crowning ceremony, Harry headed to the airport to rush home for his son Prince Archie’s birthday.

The Crowning Moment

Although King Charles became monarch immediately upon Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, he was officially crowned at the coronation. King Charles was enthroned with the commanding St. Edward’s Crown, used only to crown a new monarch. It weighs nearly 5 lbs. and was first created for King Charles II in 1661 as a replacement for the previous crown that had been melted down in 1649.

King Charles actually wore two crowns on his coronation day. He swapped the St. Edward’s Crown for the Imperial State Crown at the end of the service.

The Queen’s Gown

While Queen Camilla’s crown was steeped in royal history, her coronation gown was full of personal touches. Designed by Bruce Oldfield, the dress included her two rescue dogs, Bluebell and Beth, with gold embroidered Jack Russell Terriers near the trim. In addition to her royal cypher (also featured on her shoes!), the names of Camilla’s children and grandchildren were also stitched into the regal gown.

Camilla has already recycled the dress, wearing it to the State Opening of Parliament in November.

The Heir’s Oath

After King Charles was crowned, his eldest son and heir stepped forward to pay homage in a memorable moment. The Prince of Wales knelt and 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.”

He then touched his father’s crown and kissed his cheek, prompting King Charles to say what seemed to be, “Thank you, William.”

A Golden Procession

King Charles and Queen Camilla rode back to Buckingham Palace in style, leaving Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach. The historic carriage was constructed in 1762 and first used by King George III to travel to the State Opening of Parliament that year. The coach, which weighs four tons and was drawn by eight horses on the coronation day, has been used at every coronation since King William IV’s crowning ceremony in 1831.

The Princess Rides

King Charles’ sister, Princess Anne, was the only member of the royal family to ride on horseback during the post-crowning procession back to Buckingham Palace in her role as “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting.” The role, which Princess Anne has held since 1998, dates back to the 15th century when two officers, a Gold Stick and a Silver Stick, were placed close to the monarch to protect them from harm.

In an interview with CBC News that aired ahead of the event, Princess Anne joked about the perks of the job.

“I have a role as the Colonel of the Blues and Royals in the Household Cavalry regiment as Gold Stick [in Waiting]. And Gold Stick was the original close protection officer. So that is a role I was asked if I’d like to do for this coronation, so I said yes,” she said. “Not least of all, it solves my dress problem.”

Fairytale Ride

The Prince and Princess of Wales rode together with their three children in a horse-drawn carriage following the crowning ceremony.

A Wave from the King and Queen

Upon their return to Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped out onto the royal residence’s iconic balcony.

The Grand Finale

The King and Queen were joined by members of the royal family, including their Pages of Honor.

A View from the Balcony

A snap taken from behind the royal couple shows a view of the flypast carried out by the Royal Air Force.

Coronation Concert Joy

The day after the crowning ceremony, the royal family gathered on the grounds of Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert! They were treated to performances by Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Nicole Scherzinger, Olly Murs and more.

Playful Teasing

Prince William had some fun with the Union Jack flags provided to the crowd, playfully waving them in his children’s faces.

A Tribute to Pa

The Prince of Wales took the stage at the Coronation Concert for a special speech dedicated to his father.

He said, “I want to say a few words about my father and why I believe this weekend is so important. But don’t worry, unlike Lionel, I won’t go on all night long,” he joked in a nod to the “All Night Long” hitmaker, whose performance preceded his remarks.

“As my grandmother said when she was crowned, ‘Coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future,’ ” Prince William said, quoting Queen Elizabeth’s coronation speech from 1953. “And I know she’s up there, fondly keeping an eye on us. She would be a proud mother.”

In a sweet touch, he said, “Pa, we are all so proud of you.”

Volunteer Day

On May 8, members of the royal family took part in a volunteering initiative called the Big Help Out. The Prince and Princess of Wales brought their children on a visit to the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough — a cause close to Kate, who is the joint President of the Scout Association. 

Break Time

The family joined the Scouts to renovate their Scout Hut, taking part in plating, sanding and painting. Prince George used a drill to work on a project, while Princess Charlotte did some painting and Prince Louis shoveled dirt into a wheelbarrow. But they also enjoyed some roasted marshmallows.