Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September upon the death of his mother , Elizabeth II. It was the first coronation held since that of Elizabeth II in , nearly 70 years prior. The ceremony was structured around an Anglican service of Holy Communion. It included Charles taking an oath, being anointed with holy oil , and receiving the coronation regalia , emphasising his spiritual role and secular responsibilities. Camilla was crowned in a shorter and simpler ceremony.
After the service, members of the royal family travelled to Buckingham Palace in a state procession and appeared on the palace's rear and front balconies. The service was altered from past British coronations to represent the multiple faiths, cultures, and communities of the United Kingdom, and was shorter than Elizabeth II's coronation.
It had a peak UK television audience of The coronation elicited both celebrations and protest in the United Kingdom, with surveys carried out before the event suggesting that the British public was ambivalent towards the ceremony and its funding by taxpayers. The events in London and Windsor drew large crowds, but were also protested against by republican groups ; 64 individuals were arrested on the day, which was criticised by the international advocacy group Human Rights Watch.
The celebrations included street parties, volunteering, special commemorative church services , and a concert at Windsor Castle on 7 May. The response in the other Commonwealth realms was similarly mixed; while there were many celebrations, some government officials and indigenous groups took the opportunity to voice republican sentiments and call for reparatory justice. It was the first British coronation in the 21st century and the 40th to be held at Westminster Abbey since the coronation of William the Conqueror in He was proclaimed king by the Accession Council on 10 September, [ 2 ] which was followed by proclamations in other Commonwealth realms.
The organisation of the coronation was the responsibility of the earl marshal , the Duke of Norfolk. A Coronation Claims Office was established within the Cabinet Office to handle claims to perform a historic or ceremonial role at the coronation, replacing the Court of Claims. It was based on the same formula as the oil used in the coronation of Elizabeth II , but without animal products such as civet. Military dress rehearsals took place on 17, 18, and 19 April. Westminster Abbey was closed to tourists and worshippers from 25 April for preparations, and did not re-open until 8 May.
