Effy.- The UK is preparing for the coronation of King Charles III next Saturday, the first in 70 years, with final rehearsals taking place in Westminster Abbey and countless flags hanging in the streets, pubs and restaurants.
Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrived this morning at the abbey for the final rehearsals for the ceremony, which will take place on Saturday from 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT), as did Prince William, the heir to the throne. British crown.
The King and Queen Consort received the crowd gathered there from their car, while many people had already settled on both sides of the roads through which the carriage that would transport the kings from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey, in the heart of Britain, will pass. capital.
Given the complexity of Saturday's ceremony, which will consist of several stages until the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, places St. Edward's crown, the Kings and the Prince of Wales rehearsed for the last time the details of the event that will be followed. On television by millions of people in the UK and around the world.
After the rehearsal, Charles III came to shake hands with thousands of people gathered near Buckingham, accompanied by Prince William, heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine, who also spoke to citizens who will watch the procession up close. Saturday.
The king, wearing a dark blue suit and pink tie, smiled and spoke to several people, while members of his security team suggested the public put down their mobile phones and urged them to “enjoy the moment.”
Visitors from around the world approached the royal family to extend their well wishes before the coronation: “King Charles, it is a great honor to meet you, we are coming from the United States,” one woman said to the king, while another said to the king, “King Charles, it is an honor Great to meet you, we are coming from the United States.” He commented that he arrived from Thailand.
Amid tight security measures, hundreds of curious spectators have already been set up with tents, posters and flags in front of barriers placed on the boulevards where the royal parade will be held, which will extend along Mall Avenue and the Whitehall area, where the main ministries are located.
Pubs, restaurants and shops hung bunting, London's main streets were decorated with flags, while two giant crowns were placed in the middle of Oxford Street, atop red cushions, on the shelters of two bus stations.
Read more: The Coronation of Charles III: A display of British royal fashion
The United Kingdom prepares for the coronation of Charles III
According to his official agenda, Carlos had lunch with the governors and prime ministers of the countries and territories where he remains head of state, and later met with leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth of Nations), the institution that brings together former colonial nations and which was particularly dear to his mother.
The King concluded the day with a reception at Buckingham Palace for distinguished guests, including Spanish Kings Felipe VI and Letizia, and heads of state from other countries, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Don Felipe and Doña Letizia left the ambassador's residence at around 4:20pm local time (3:20pm GMT), EFE confirmed, to head to Buckingham, before participating tomorrow in the ceremony held at Westminster Abbey, attended by about 2,200 people. are invited. .
But America's main leaders, with the exception of Brazilian and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will be absent from Saturday's ceremony, and will be represented by their foreign ministers, ambassadors, and even their spouses.
The White House announced on April 4 that US President Joe Biden would not attend the event and that First Lady Jill Biden would take his place.
Once the ceremony concludes on Saturday, Charles III and Camilla will step out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the crowd gathered there, although it is currently unknown which members of the royal family will accompany the royals to the event.
The event will conclude with a low flyby of Royal Air Force aircraft over the palace.
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