Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, are set to be crowned in a grand ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey, marking the biggest ceremonial event in Britain in 70 years.
The couple greeted excited crowds gathering on The Mall, many of whom had camped out for the event. On Friday, Charles held a lunch for prime ministers and royal representatives from the 14 other realms where he is head of state. The coronation, though not essential, is seen as a hugely symbolic moment that legitimises the monarch in a public way.
The event will involve a procession and will be broadcast live around the world. While some question the cost of the ceremony, Buckingham Palace expects it to provide an economic lift for Britain's struggling economy. Photo by Dan Marsh, Wikimedia commons.