King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms was crowned on May 6th, 2023 in Westminster Abbey. The ceremony was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and took place approximately eight months after the death of the King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry,” The Royal Household, a few months before the coronation, said.

The ceremony was the second in British history to be televised, and it did not disappoint viewers with its festivities. There were military processions, golden carriages and visitors from every corner of the globe, topped off with a finale of the Royal Family waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

“Inside the abbey, which was bedecked with flowers and flags, politicians and dignitaries from around the world such as U.S. first lady Jill Biden took their seats alongside 2,200 others from charity workers to celebrities, including actors Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and U.S. singer Katy Perry,” Michael Holden of Reuters said.

Following Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, many wonder about the usefulness of the Royal Family. Some believe they can be used as a tool for both diplomacy and tourism, while others believe the British monarchy should be abolished and the United Kingdom should become a republic. With over a thousand years of history behind them, it will be interesting to see how the British Royal family adapts to the ever-changing present era.