A fanfare, then the bells rang for two minutes
Now the Coronation reached its climax, with the Dean of Westminster handing the Crown of St Edward to the Archbishop.
Made for Charles II in 1661, its rubies, amethysts, sapphires and topazes glowed.
The Archbishop prayed God would bless the Crown and “sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty”.
He brought it down on the head of the King and after a few nervous moments making sure it would not fall off, exclaimed four words which were repeated by the congregation: “God save The King!”. A fanfare sounded and the Abbey bells rang for two minutes.
The Prince of Wales then stepped forward to offer his own “words of fealty”.
He 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.”
Archbishop Welby invited those in the Abbey to join with a “homage of the people” to the King, which replaced the traditional homage of peers.
Great swathes of those gathered beneath the ancient roof said: “I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
A fanfare played out and the people declared: “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May The King live for ever.”
The moment had arrived for Queen Camilla to be crowned. The Archbishop anointed her head with oil, praying she would be “strong in faith and love” and guided in “truth and peace”. The Dean of Westminster presented the Archbishop with the 1911 Queen Mary’s Crown to place upon her head. In one of the musical highlights of the Coronation, the choir burst into the first public performance of Lord Lloyd-webber’s new anthem, Make A Joyful Noise.
The Archbishop then performed the act of Holy Communion, which was followed by the singing of the Te Deum as Charles and Camilla moved into St Edward’s chapel, behind the high altar. There they changed into purple Robes of Estate for their departure, with the King swapping the St Edward’s Crown for the lighter Imperial State Crown for the procession to Buckingham Palace.
The congregation sang the National Anthem and while processing out of the Abbey, Charles was offered a prayer by Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist faith leaders.
The Gold State Coach then took the King and Queen through the streets back to the Palace.