Thousands fill the streets of London in a festive atmosphere for the coronation of Carlos III

the streets of London were dyed this Saturday in red, white and blue, the colors of the British flag, for the coronation of the King Charles IIIand thousands of people crowded the surroundings of the Buckingham Palace.

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Among the early risers was Caryl Hall55, and her teenage children. “I’m so excited. There is a good atmosphere, friendly, happy, patriotic”said Hall, draped in a British flag and wearing a plastic crown on her head.

Nearby, however, six anti-monarchist activists were arrested as they were preparing to demonstrate against the coronation, according to protest organizers.

Likewise, about twenty activists from the environmental group Just Stop Oil They were detained near the place where the procession would go, AFP journalists confirmed.

Supporters line the ‘King’s Procession’ route, a two-kilometre stretch from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, as they wait for Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Consort Camilla to pass at the Diamond State Coach in central London. on May 6, 2023 before their coronations. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (DANIEL LEAL /)

But these arrests did not stop the party from continuing.

As planned, at 09:20 GMT, the king74, and his wife, Camila, 75, began parading through the city center in a float to nearby Westminster Abbey, where Carlos will be crowned around 1100 GMT.

Thousands of admirers of the monarchs got up early or have spent several nights sleeping in tents behind the barriers placed in the mallthe great avenue that starts from the Buckingham Palace.

“It is worth getting up early to have a good place”, estimated the Londoner Bokenhamwho was wearing a knit cap with the British flag on it.

Hillary72, and her daughter Jo, 47, caught an early train to join the crowd.

A police officer poses with a young member of the public ahead of the ‘King’s Procession’, a two kilometer stretch from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, as they await Britain’s King Charles III and the Queen Consort Camilla from Great Britain pass into the Diamond State. (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP) (CARLOS JASSO /)

“It is historical. She will never be the queen (Elizabeth II), but she is our king and today we just want to celebrate“, said Hillarywho only gave his first name.

The union jackthe British flag, was ubiquitous, on banners, T-shirts and painted on people’s faces.

Many crowns were also seen, from simple homemade headdresses to sophisticated pieces of ermine and purple velvet.

READ ALSO: Camila is crowned Queen of the United Kingdom

Be part of history

Many made the trip from abroad, including Christine Willena retired nurse who came from Canada.

“I made the trip for the coronation”, told AFP this 55-year-old woman, dressed in the colors of her Canada native.

“I am very excited to be here, to be part of this story. I have always been a monarchist”, he added.

The latest polls indicate that support for the royals is declining, especially among the youngest.

The police arrested “six of our organizers and confiscated hundreds of banners” with the motto “not my king”, said a spokesman for the Republic group, whose supporters were gathered in central Trafalgar Square, to boo the royal procession as it passed.

Protesters wave ‘Not my King’ banners near the ‘King’s Procession’, a two kilometer journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of their coronations. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP) (JUSTIN TALLIS /)

“This is exactly why we are here today. Because the monarchy represents everything that is wrong with the UK: privilege, inequality and a lack of democracy.”Martin told AFP Weegmanone of the anti-monarchist protesters.

But the protesters were outnumbered by the royalists, including caba mendes21 year old Londoner.

“It’s a great day for the country”, he said while holding his phone with a selfie stick to follow the procession.

Helen Rimmerwho traveled from cumbria (North West England) on Friday evening, a site was secured before the sun came up.

“It is a very special occasion, especially for our country and for the commonwealth. For the atmosphere, for everything. It is a great celebration. It’s fantastic“, said.

Source: Elcomercio