Charles crowned King in lavish ceremony as the nation celebrates

THE KING and Queen set the seal on their historic coronation day with a Buckingham Palace balcony appearance to acknowledge the nation

- 

Charles and Camilla in lavish robes and wearing their crowns returned with a wave the cheers of the crowds, who filled The Mall after braving downpours to see a colourful ceremonial military procession not seen for 70 years.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined the monarch as did the pages of honour.

The Royals watched a flypast from the balcony, which was scaled down due to "unsuitable weather conditions" A few minutes past noon, Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation's coronation church since 1066, as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St Edward's Crown on his head.

The historic moment, watched around the globe, was a fulfilment of the King's destiny, but followed the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September after a 70-year reign.

The coronation was a spiritual and deeply personal event for the King, a "committed Anglican Christian", who was anointed, seen kneeling at the abbey's high altar and receiving homage from his son and heir the Prince of Wales.

William's interaction with his father where he touched St Edward's Crown then kissed his father on the right cheek appeared a poignant moment for the King.

As William knelt before Charles, who held his son's hand between his palms, the future monarch said: "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."