KATE THE GREAT
Princess Kate looks regal in dazzling headpiece and Alexander McQueen dress at King Charles’ coronation
THE Princess of Wales stunned onlookers as she walked into Westminster Abbey today for the coronation.
Decked in an extraordinary red, white and blue robe and a glimmering headpiece of silver leaves, Kate took her seat at the front of the Royal Family section.
9
9
9
9
She is wearing a formal robe alongside an Alexander McQueen dress in ivory silk crepe.
This features the plants of the four home nations: rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock.
The Princess’s headpiece was made with silver bullion, crystal and silver threadwork three-dimensional leaf embroidery.
It was designed by milliner Jess Collett in collaboration with Alexander McQueen.
Read More coronation stories
Kate also paid tribute to Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth with her stunning jewelry choices.
She wore Diana's pearl and diamond earrings as well as the George VI Festoon Necklace.
The necklace, made in 1950 at the request of King George VI, was given to his daughter the late Queen as a gift.
Charles and Camilla arrived at Westminster Abbey following a spectacular 1.42 mile journey in the air-conditioned Diamond Jubilee state coach, built in 2012.
Most read in Celebrity
They left Buckingham Palace accompanied by the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, before passing a guard of honour of around 160 members of the three armed services.
The pair were flanked by over 1,000 members of the Armed Forces before passing a 100-strong guard from the Royal British Legion in Parliament Square.
The service ran for around two hours where ancient traditions - some dating back to 1065 - saw Charles anointed and crowned with the 1661 St Edward's crown.
The service ended at around 1pm before the royals set off on a 1.4 mile procession back to Buckingham Palace.
The King and Queen rode in the 260-year-old, four-tonne Georgian-era Gold State Coach.
Meanwhile the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children rode in a separate carriage.
The King and Queen rode in the 260-year-old, four-tonne Georgian-era Gold State Coach for the journey, flanked by thousands of members of the Armed Forces.
The procession ended with a "three cheers" for the King and Queen by the members from the household regiments on Buckingham Palace's lawns.
The Royal Family then made their way to the famous Buckingham Palace balcony where they were greeted to rapturous applause from the thousands of fans who had gathered on The Mall.
A mesmerising flypast by helicopters and chinooks and then a display from the Red Arrows followed.
But sadly poor weather meant no other planes could take part in the fly past, cutting a planned six minute spectacle to just two.
Charles is the first king to be crowned in Britain since his grandfather King George VI on May 12, 1937.
He is the 40th monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, with the first thought to be Harold Godwinson in 1065.
Much like his beloved Mama, Charles has also broken with tradition.
Fuelled by a desire for a stripped-back monarchy, the King shunned the extravagant trappings of wealth seen in his own mother's £1.57million ceremony.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The guestlist was also slashed to just 2,000, compared to the Queen's 8,250, and the length of the service has been drastically reduced.
Even the dress code was different, with the King opting to wear military uniform instead of the silk stockings and breeches seen in the past.
9
9
9
9
9
Topics