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[[Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of London on Saturday to witness the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III, in a ceremony filled with remarkable tradition and colorful pageantry and watched by millions around the world on television and the internet. Henry Ridgwell has more.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptBritain - Charles – Coronation HEADLINE: Britain’s King Charles III Crowned in Historic Ceremony TEASER: Hundreds of thousands line streets of London to catch glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla PUBLISHED: 05/06/2023 at 4:33 pm
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: London VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell VIDEO EDITOR: SCRIPT EDITORS: RH, Tom Turco VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Reuters, APTN PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_ TRT: 3:23 VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: There is a companion Web piece. ))
((INTRO))
[[Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of London on Saturday to witness the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III, in a ceremony filled with remarkable tradition and colorful pageantry and watched by millions around the world on television and the internet. Henry Ridgwell has more.]]
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF PROCESSION))
((NARRATOR))
It’s a moment seven decades in the making. Charles became heir to the British throne at the age of just three. Now 74, his coronation marks a new chapter for an ancient institution.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla were taken by carriage from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF CROWD))
((NARRATOR))
Hundreds of thousands of people lined the route of the procession – just as they had done eight months ago for the funeral of Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
A small number of anti-monarchy protesters briefly drowned out the cheers.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF ABBEY CONGREGATION))
((NARRATOR))
Inside the abbey, a congregation of more than 2,000 people – the royal family, kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers – and members of the public.
Prince Harry, Charles’ youngest son, attended alone amid continued strained relations.
This was not a day for family drama, though, but for pomp and pageantry, deeply imbued with Christian faith. Some of the rituals remain unchanged over 1,000 years.
((Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury (in English) ))
“The coronation oath has stood for centuries and is enshrined in law. Are you willing to take the oath?”
((King Charles III, British Monarch (in English) ))
“I am willing.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF FEMALE BISHOPS, FAITH LEADERS))
((NARRATOR))
For the first time, female bishops took part in the service, alongside leaders of other faiths.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF CROWNING))
((NARRATOR))
The Archbishop of Canterbury placed the crown upon Charles’ head.
((nat sounds: God save the King.))
Gun salutes rang out across Britain.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF WILLIAM))
In a touching moment, Charles’s son, Prince William, pledged his allegiance to the king.
((Prince William, Prince of Wales (in English) ))
“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.”
((VIDEO: REPORTER STAND-UP / VOA OR AGENCY FOOTAGE OF CROWDS))
((NARRATOR))
“Here in London, and in cities, towns and villages across Britain, people gathered to watch this ancient and extraordinary ceremony. The rain may be falling, but people here are determined that spirits won’t be dampened.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF CROWDS))
((NARRATOR))
Many felt they witnessed a part of history.
((Aurelien, Royal Fan (in English) ))
“A moment once in the life, you know. It's magical, it’s such an incredible event.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF STATE COACH))
((NARRATOR))
The king and queen returned to Buckingham Palace in the gold state coach – built in 1762.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF ROYALS ON BALCONY, FLYPAST))
((NARRATOR))
Above a sea of British flags, the royal family gathered on the balcony to greet an adoring crowd.
Charles and Camilla face undoubted challenges: keeping the monarchy relevant to modern British society; facing up to its role in Britain’s often brutal colonial past.
The king has voiced determination to take on those challenges ... an evolving monarchy steeped in colorful tradition.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
London
Embargo DateMay 7, 2023 15:31 EDT
Byline
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
