LOS ALAMITOS, CA — If anyone got up at 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, they know this was the beginning of Prince Charles III’s coronation: The day he officially became King of the United Kingdom and the oldest person to be crowned in history.

This was the first coronation in 70 years, since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. Sometimes this ceremony is called the Wedding of England because it is almost like the King is getting married to the country.

Coronation Day started off with a parade towards Westminster Abbey, where the event took place. “The King’s Procession” included the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, built in 2012, in which the King rode in.

Service began at 3 a.m. PT and 11 a.m. GMT. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, conducted the service throughout the three-hour ceremony.

Westminster Abbey held more than 2,200 people from 203 countries, including leaders and representatives from different Commonwealth countries, as well as the U.K.’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

It began with Queen Mary’s crown being carried by the Duke of Wellington towards the high altar. The Sword of State was carried by Penny Mordaunt throughout the ceremony.

The Coronation Service began with the Choirs of Westminster Abbey and His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, as well as many other performing choirs alongside them. The music was directed by Andrew Nethsingha during the service.

The King continued by taking an oath on the Holy Bible, swearing that he is a faithful Protestant of the Church and that he will serve the country as best he can. The king then undressed from the Robe of State, sat in the Coronation Chair (made in the 1300s), and took part in the anointing.

His removal of the robe signifies his entrance as a pauper and his exit as the King of England. He was dressed in the Robe of Righteousness and Garments of Salvation.

The ceremony included the use of the Sovereign’s orb, the Sceptre with Cross, the Sceptre with Dove, the Ampulla, and the Coronation Spoon.

Finally, at 12 p.m., it was time for the Investiture, which is the crowning of the King. St Edward’s Crown, 400 years old, was placed on his head for the first and last time in his life.

King Charles was then moved to his throne and the Queen Consort was crowned and enthroned just after using Queen Mary’s Crown. All the onlookers chanted “God Save the King” immediately afterward, and the King and Queen Consort participated in the final part of the service, the Holy Communion.

The King and Queen Consort left shortly after, entering a 261 year old Gold State Coach, which would take them on the Coronation Procession back to Buckingham Palace, where they started the day just a couple hours before.

As well as the King and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Dutchess of Edinburgh rode in carriages in the procession.

The largest military ceremony of its sort in a generation included almost 4,000 personnel of the U.K.’s armed forces standing outside Buckingham Palace.

When they all arrived at the Palace, the Red Arrows conducted a flyby for the royal family standing on the balcony overlooking the Commonwealth.

The following day consisted of a Coronation Concert, including performances by Take That, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, all at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

It was a huge celebration weekend in Britain, and even 10 million Americans watched the Coronation that day. It was a spectacular and historic day for the world to be watching the first coronation since 1953.