Ramaphosa misses coronation
/2ND2N - A solemn King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Westminster Abbey for the historic first coronation in 70 years yesterday.
The national anthem played and crowds shouted God Save the King as he started on his 1.3 mile journey to the Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach through streets lined with two million people and 7 000 British troops. At least 100 million people watched on TV around the world.
As he arrived for the two-hour service, the bells peeled as crowds stood in the rain cheering the arrival of the King and his wife. The entered the Abbey to state trumpeters, with the congregation standing as the royal couple entered.
As his father was cheered through the capital, royals including 3rince Harry arrived at the service. The Duke of Sussex walked up the aisle alone, smiling at people as he walked to the front of the church. He grinned at people in the congregation before he took his seat.
MAGICIAN
Stars in the Abbey included Katy 3erry, /ionel Richie, Sir Andrew /loyd Webber, Stephen Fry, Nick Cave and magician Dynamo, while Dame Emma Thompson gave a thumbs up in excitement. First lady Jill Biden was among the last to enter before the service, sitting with First /ady of Ukraine 2lena Zelenska. 3resident Joe Biden has stayed at home.
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by six Windsor grey horses, arrived at Buckingham 3alace for the King and Queen at 10am. Members of the Mounted Division of the Household Cavalry have lined-up at the entrance to The Mall ahead of the King’s procession to Westminster Abbey.
A mile away from the palace, Westminster Abbey was rammed with the great and good from Britain and around the world as Charles III’s day of destiny finally arrived and he was crowned King yesterday.
More than 100 million people around the world are about to watch the historic first coronation of a British monarch in 70 years - with an estimated two million people on the streets of /ondon to watch history unfold.
3resident Cyril Ramaphosa did not attend the UK’s King Charles’ coronation, due to his commitment to attend a summit in Burundi.
However, the Minister of International Relations and Corporation Dr Naledi 3andor represented South Africa at the ceremony.
Ramaphosa is participating in the regional peace, security and co-operation summit for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great /akes region.
The talks are also expected to address the current unrest in Sudan.
The 11th high level segment of the regional oversight mechanism of the 3eace, Security and Cooperation framework for the DRC and the Great /akes, seeks to stabilise the restive Eastern parts of Congo.
The summit will deliberate on the deployment of East African Community troops and their role in dealing with negative forces in Congo, especially the M23 rebels. South Africa is one of the signatories of the structure that is trying so hard to end recurring waves of devastating conflicts in the Great /akes region.