Royal coronation: Royals in historic robes, guests in bold colours

From statement headpieces to traditional robes, royals and guests wore colourful outfits for the coronation of Britain's King Charles III on Saturday.
Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive for the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive for the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. Dan Charity/Pool via REUTERS
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By Marie-Louise Gumuchian

LONDON (Reuters) - From traditional robes to statement headpieces, royals and guests wore an array of colourful outfits for the coronation of Britain's King Charles III on Saturday, filling London's Westminster Abbey with a mix of hues and designs.

The monarch arrived in the crimson velvet Robe of State, worn by his grandfather King George VI at his 1937 coronation, a crimson coronation tunic and cream silk overshirt with royal naval trousers.

He changed into ceremonial regalia worn by his predecessors to be crowned: the gold-silk full-length Supertunica coat and Coronation Sword Belt, and over that, the gold cloth Imperial Mantle, originally made for the coronation of George IV in 1821 and the oldest vestment in the service.

An embroidered white leather glove was placed onto his right hand.

Katy Perry takes selfies with guests during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
Katy Perry takes selfies with guests during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. Gareth Cattermole/Pool via REUTERS

Charles was crowned with the historic St Edward's Crown that has been used since the coronation of King Charles II in 1661.

Queen Camilla arrived in the Robe of State made for the late Queen Elizabeth in 1953 over an ivory gown embellished with silver and gold floral embroidery by British couturier Bruce Oldfield.

King Charles III after being crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023.
King Charles III after being crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023.Aaron Chown/Pool via REUTERS

Both left the Abbey in purple Robes of Estate - Charles', previously worn by George VI and Camilla's designed by the Royal School of Needlework and featuring nature-themed embroidery.

"For the first time, insects including bees, butterflies, a beetle and caterpillar feature on the Coronation Robe, drawing on the themes of nature and the environment and reflecting Their Majesties' affection for the natural world," Buckingham Palace said.

King Charles III wearing the St Edward's Crown and Queen Camilla wearing the Queen Mary's Crown during their coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023.
King Charles III wearing the St Edward's Crown and Queen Camilla wearing the Queen Mary's Crown during their coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023. Andrew Matthews/Pool via REUTERS

The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, wore formal robes and mantels over their outfits, with the heir to the throne in the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards and his wife wearing a headpiece made of silver and crystal leaves instead of a tiara.

Both she and her daughter Charlotte wore ivory silk crepe frocks adorned with embroidered rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs - a nod to the United Kingdom's four nations, designed by Alexander McQueen, the same label Kate chose for her wedding dress in 2011.

Dame Emma Thompson and husband Greg Wise (left) arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023.
Dame Emma Thompson and husband Greg Wise (left) arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS

She paid tribute to the late Princess Diana, wearing pearl and diamond earrings once belonging to her, and to Queen Elizabeth, donning a necklace George VI requested made for her in 1950.

Charles' siblings wore traditional robes, while his nieces - Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie, Zara and Lady Louise wore dresses or coats in fuchsia, blue and floral prints respectively.

(left to right) The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Mike Tindall and the Duke of Sussex at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023.
(left to right) The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Mike Tindall and the Duke of Sussex at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Saturday May 6, 2023. Yui Mok/Pool via REUTERS

His son Prince Harry, no longer a working royal, wore morning dress.

Among the celebrity guests were actress Emma Thompson in a red coat with rose motifs and U.S. singer Katy Perry, who will perform at the coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday, dressed in a lilac short-sleeved skirt suit with matching opera gloves and hat.

Zara Tindall arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla coronation ceremony, in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Zara Tindall arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla coronation ceremony, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool

Veteran actresses Maggie Smith and Judi Dench chose different shades of blue. Singers Nick Cave and Lionel Ritchie, also performing at Sunday's concert, wore three-piece black suits, while actor Stephen Fry added some colour with a yellow waistcoat.

There were traditional outfits from across the Commonwealth and peers wore red robes.

Prince Michael of Kent arrives to attend Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Prince Michael of Kent arrives to attend Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Block coloured outfits were also popular with U.S and French first ladies Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron dressed in powder blue and pale pink respectively while Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska chose a sage dress and coat.

Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony, at The Mall in London, Britain May 6, 2023.
Troops march on the day of Britain's King Charles' coronation ceremony, at The Mall in London, Britain May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/Pool

Colourful hats and fascinators in fuchsia, orange and red peppered the Abbey.

(Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

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