A Coronation Fit for a King Trivia Quiz

Charles and Camilla left Buckingham Palace around 10:20 BST in the morning of May 6th. They traveled in the Diamond Jubilee Coach, which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by Australia for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Although this was a non-traditional coach for traveling to the coronation, it was understandable: it is reportedly quite comfortable in comparison with the traditional Golden State Coach, and the King needed to be in peak condition for the ceremony. The coach was pulled by six Windsor Grey horses, decked in blue.

The procession to Westminster Abbey moved along The Mall and Whitehall before moving through Parliament Square and reaching the Abbey. It was a distance of about 1.4 miles, and the couple arrived around 11:00 BST.

The procession into Westminster Abbey was led by leaders of various religions of the Commonwealth and Britain, including representatives of the Islamic, Jewish, Sihk, and Buddhist communities, among others. Leaders and clergy of the Christian church followed, among which were the leaders of the Church of England, of which King Charles is head.

The leaders of the Commonwealth countries followed, along with flag bearers bearing the flags of the said countries. A choir followed them into the church.

After arriving at the Abbey at around 11:00 a.m. BST, the King and Queen followed the Commonwealth representatives into the church. Their party included peers carrying the heraldic standards of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; the King's Champion, who carried the royal standard; the Queen's Ladies in Waiting; and the King's and Queen's pages. They made their way to the altar.

One of the King's four pages included his grandson and the then-second in line to the throne, Prince George of Wales, who was 9 at the time. The Queen's pages included her own grandsons.

This was a part of the "Recognition" portion of the service. Following the King and Queen's arrival and moment of prayer at the beginning of the service, the King was then recognized as monarch by the assembled people as they called "Long live the King!" in response to lines read aloud to all four corners of the Abbey.

The Welsh opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel then sang the "Coronation Kyrie" in Welsh by Paul Mealor. This marked the first time that Welsh language was used during a coronation service, an appropriate nod to a King who had been Prince of Wales since 1958.

In the coronation oath, the King swore to respect and uphold the various laws of his countries and Protestantism, and also to protect the Church of England. He signed a copy of this oath as well. He also made the Accession Declaration, in which the King swears to uphold the Protestant faith and be faithful to it.

It is based on a 1910 declaration which in turn was based upon one made in 1689.

The anointing of a monarch is considered to be the actual moment when he or she becomes King or Queen, rather than the actual crowning. It is one of the most sacred moments in the coronation, and so for King Charles' service, just as had happened with Queen Elizabeth II's, screens were put around the King to block out cameras while he was anointed.

Several important items were used during the anointing. The King sat in St. Edward's Chair, a throne commissioned in 1296 for King Edward I, over top of the Stone of Destiny from Scotland. The Coronation Spoon was also used for the actual anointing with oil, which dates from the second half of the 12th century. It is the oldest piece of the coronation regalia, and is made of silver gilt and pearls.

The song "Zadok the Priest" was sung by the choir as the anointing occurred. Taken from scripture, it describes the anointing of King Solomon by Zadok. It was put to music by George Frideric Handel in 1727 for the coronation of George II. Since then, has been used at every British monarch's coronation.

The King was presented with the various pieces of coronation regalia, including the Sword of State, the robe royal, and the two Sovereign's Scepters. After he was crowned with St. Edward's crown, which has been used since the 13th century, by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, "God Save the King!" was chanted. Church bells began to ring and 21-gun salutes began.

The King then moved to a throne made in 1937 for George VI, his grandfather. The Archbishop of Canterbury offered his fealty, then did William, Prince of Wales, who also kissed his father the King.

The Queen's crowning was much less ornate than the King's. She was anointed in full view, which might have been the first time that this has happened. She was also presented with the Queen Consort's Ring, also known as Queen Adelaide's Ring, which was made for Queen Adelaide at the coronation of her husband King William IV in 1831.

She was also presented with a rod and scepter. The Queen then moved to her own throne, which was originally made for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1937. She wore Queen Mary's Crown, which was made in 1911.

After the King and Queen received Holy Communion, the King changed into the Imperial State Crown, which dates as far back as the 15th century. He and the Queen then processed out of Westminster Abbey with their entourage, to the singing of "God Save the King" by the congregation. The congregation then followed the royals out of the Abbey.

After leaving the Abbey, the King and Queen moved into the Gold State Coach, which was made in 1762, and used for the coronation of every British monarch since King William IV in 1831. It was drawn by 8 Windsor Grey horses. Weighing 4 tons, it is considered very uncomfortable to ride in; William IV said it was like "tossing in a rough sea", and Queen Victoria often refused to use it. King George VI said being in it for his coronation was "one of the most uncomfortable rides I have ever had in my life", while Queen Elizabeth II admitted it was "not very comfortable". The 74-year-old King Charles III managed it well!

Thousands participated in the procession back to Buckingham Palace. Once there, the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family appeared on the balcony of the Palace. They watched a flypast of helicopters, reduced in size due to poor weather, and a flyby of the Red Arrows. It was a historic moment: the United Kingdom had a new King.