King Charles Coronation: King and Queen say nation’s support ‘greatest coronation gift’ as official portraits released

The King and Queen have called the nation’s support “the greatest possible coronation gift” as they release official portraits marking the end of the historic weekend.

Charles has issued a written message saying he and Camilla give their “most sincere and heartfelt thanks” to “countless people” who helped make coronation celebrations across the UK a success.

The newly-crowned King said he and Camilla have rededicated their lives “to serving the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and Commonwealth”.

The King has been captured in his full regalia in traditional official portraits marking his crowning by Hugo Burnand. Camilla was pictured alongside the King and also in a solo portrait.

Meanwhile Prince Louis turned into a labourer as he joined Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Prince and Princess of Wales by shovelling dirt and operating a digger as they helped out at a Scout Hut in Slough as part of the national volunteering drive to mark the coronation.

Londoners to join Big Help Out

07:39 , Daniel Keane

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III.

Thousands of Londoners will join The Big Help Out on Monday to create a volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.

Organisers hope the day of volunteering on the special bank holiday will inspire the public to help out in their communities throughout the summer.

Buckingham Palace said the day “will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas”.

On Sunday night, the Prince of Wales paid a touching public tribute to his father at the coronation concert, saying: “Pa, we are all so proud of you.”

William took to the stage at Windsor Castle as part of a night of celebrations featuring perfomances from stars including Katy Perry and Take That.

Green Party brands Met Police arrests ‘worrying’

07:50 , Daniel Keane

A Green Party politician has branded arrests made by officers during the King's Coronation “worrying”.

Dozens of people were arrested during the Coronation on Saturday, including the leader of a prominent anti-monarchy group.

Caroline Russell, who chairs the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “I think it's really worrying that these arrests have happened.

“It felt like for someone who was trying to protest, and trying to do it by the book, it was very difficult to understand what the rules were.

“It seems absolutely extraordinary that those people who were volunteering, they were out there handing out flip flops to people who could no longer walk in their high heels because they'd had a bit too much to drink and handing out rape alarms. It just seems extraordinary that they got caught up in the Met's safety net. How? It just feels very odd.”

She added: “The Police and Crime Committee, we question the mayor, Mopac (Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime) and the Metropolitan Police, we meet every fortnight, so of course we will be questioning this because I'm sure members of all parties will want to have their questions answered.”

The Big Help Out: All the key details

08:00 , Daniel Keane

Festivities will continue on the Monday bank holiday to celebrate the King's coronation with the Big Help Out.

The event, organised by The Together Coalition, will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities.

An app has been created to allow people to search for volunteering opportunities, ranging from helping the elderly to working with environmental charities and supporting animal welfare.

The King and QUeen will not be in attendance, though other royals - including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester - will be out and about speaking to the public.

From 7.30pm, EastEnders will hold a coronation-themed street party in Albert Square hosted by the residents of Walford.

In pictures: Star-studded lineup performs at Coronation concert

08:16 , Daniel Keane

The sun shone for crowds at Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert - with cheers lasting as the day turned to night during the star-studded show.

Performances by Richie, Katy Perry, and Olly Murs prompted the biggest cheers, with Richie getting everyone on their feet to dance and sing along.

‘Time will tell’ if police were heavy handed, says shadow minister

08:34 , Daniel Keane

A shadow minister has said that “time will tell” if the Met Police were heavy handed in their policing of the Coronation.

Shadow public health minister Andrew Gwynne told Sky News that “hoped that the police used their powers appropriately” during the event following a string of arrests.

“People have a right to express a different view, a different opinion, and they also have the right to offend as well,” he said.

Mr Gwynne added that any protests would have been drowned out by the large crowds celebrating the King’s coronation.

“People were there to celebrate a historic event for our country that brought most people together in celebration, waving flags, cheering, being happy.

“That would have been the appropriate response to drown out those that wanted to protest rather than maybe heavy handed tactics that some are suggesting may have taken place.”

Anti-monarchy protest says Met arrests were ‘disgraceful'

08:52 , Daniel Keane

Republic chief executive Graham Smith has denied that his arrest was necessary to limit disruption, branding it “disgraceful”.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “That's not an excuse to rob people of their rights. It's not an excuse to arrest people and detain them for 16 hours because some people want to enjoy a party.

“That's a disgraceful suggestion and quite frankly this is a political issue and therefore obviously it's going to face protest.”

Watch: Katy Perry performs at the Coronation Concert in Windsor

09:15 , Daniel Keane

More than 20 million tune in to watch Coronation

09:31 , Daniel Keane

More than 20 million people tuned in to watch King Charles’ coronation, new figures have revealed.

The total number of viewers peaked at 20.4 million at the moment the St Edward’s Crown was placed on the head of the King, according to ratings board BARB.

BBC coverage peaked at 15.5 million viewers, while ITV said it received an average of 3.3 million viewers.

However, the total remains smaller than the 26.5 million viewers who tuned in for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral last year.

London weather forecast: capital to be hit by rain

09:44 , Daniel Keane

London will be hit by rain and a gentle breeze throughout Monday, according to BBC Weather.

It follows a day of glorious sunshine on Sunday, with the mercury hitting 20C in some parts of the capital.

Temperatures will settle at around 14C on Friday afternoon.

Final day of coronation ‘focused on community’

09:53 , Daniel Keane

The final day of the Coronation celebrations will be focused on community, the director of the Royal Voluntary Service has said.

Thousands of Britons will volunteer for charity work on Monday as part of the Big Help Out.

Fiona Longhurst told Sky News: “Both the King and the Queen have a real history in, and a passion for volunteering that's been been there throughout.

“The focus on community, I think, is actually right.”

Protest laws must be repealed, says campaigner

10:07 , Daniel Keane

Laws giving police greater powers to detain protesters must be repealed, an anti-monarchy campaigner has said.

Republic chief executive Graham Smith was among 64 people detained by police officers during the Coronation on Saturday.

Mr Smith raised fresh concerns about the Public Order Act signed into law last week, which tips the balance against protest including by lowering the definition of “serious disruption”.

He denied that the arrests were necessary to limit disruption to the event.

“That's a disgraceful suggestion and quite frankly this is a political issue and therefore obviously it's going to face protest,” he told BBC Radio 4.

“You cannot say that they have to enjoy a party and therefore other people should be arrested.”

St Kitts and Nevis ‘not totally free’ while King is head of state

10:24 , Daniel Keane

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew has claimed that his country is “not totally free” while the King is its head of state.

Dr Drew, of the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party, who won a snap election in August, has also called on the monarchy to apologise for its historic links to the slave trade, the BBC reported.

Speaking in the St Kitts and Nevis capital Basseterre, Dr Drew told the BBC that the research was a “step in the right direction”.

“I think that acknowledging that... something wrong was done, acknowledging it and apologising for it, is a step in the right direction,” he reportedly said.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously.”

More than 12.3 million watch Coronation concert

10:37 , Daniel Keane

The Coronation Concert on Sunday night was watched by an average of 10.1 million, according to BBC figures.

The figure peaked at 12.3m, the corporation said.

Kate Phillips, BBC Director of Unscripted, said: “Last night's Coronation Concert was an unforgettable evening of spectacular performances that brought us all together in celebration.

“Against the stunning backdrop of Windsor Castle, the concert reflected many of the King's passions and highlighted the outstanding talent we have in the UK and beyond.”

Quoting a hit from the concert's closing act, Take That, she added: “We hope that viewers 'never forget' it!”

Pictured: King and Queen wave to crowds at Coronation concert

10:55 , Daniel Keane

King and Queen make surprise appearance on American Idol

11:13 , Daniel Keane

The King and Queen have appeared on American Idol as surprise guests amid the coronation celebrations.

American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry appeared on a livestream from Windsor Castle to speak to the singing contest’s host Ryan Seacrest following their performance at the Coronation Concert.

Charles, wearing a navy suit and a light blue tie, joked: “I just wanted to check how long you'll be using this room for.”

He later said: “Thank you so much for your brilliant performance, it's a pleasure to have you both here. It's a great treat to have you both here.”

Camilla, wearing an electric blue jacket, said of their performance: “Fantastic, absolutely fantastic.”

Penny Lancaster ‘honoured’ by Coronation role

11:28 , Daniel Keane

Special constable Penny Lancaster has said she is “tremendously proud and honoured” to have been part of the police force working on Saturday for the King's coronation.

The former model and TV presenter, 52, who is married to Sir Rod Stewart, was volunteering with City of London Police during the festivities.

She told ITV's Good Morning Britain: “It was the most fabulous day and of course, tremendously proud and honoured to have been given that opportunity, along with the City of London Police, that I'm a special constable for.

“There were the regular officers and then the specials (on duty) and, of course, we volunteer our time to help with the duties of policing, and we were stationed on Whitehall, right opposite 10 Downing Street, just behind New Scotland Yard.”

There were around 11,500 police on duty in London on Saturday, with Ms Lancaster explaining her shift ran from 6am to around 4pm.

Who performed at the Coronation concert?

11:48 , Daniel Keane

The Coronation concert on Sunday night drew an average audience of over 10 million Britons.

Host Hugh Bonneville kicked off the celebrations and met Muppet star Miss Piggy, before the Prince of Wales took to the stage paying a touching tribute to his father and his late grandmother the Queen.

Stars including Hugh Jackman, Pierce Brosnan, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls OBE, Alan Titchmarsh, and Sir Tom Jones gave pre-recorded video messages in honour of the King throughout the concert.

Top Gun star Tom Cruise also delivered a video message from his War Bird plane, saying: “Pilot to pilot. Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time,” before saluting and banking away.

Musical collaborations included opera stars Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel, who sang You'll Never Walk Alone, and classical pianist Lang Lang and pop star Nicole Scherzinger, who performed Reflection from Mulan.

Pictured: Volunteers plant in Green Park for Big Help Out

12:03 , Daniel Keane

Volunteers have planted native wild plug plants to promote The Big Help Out in Green Park.

Nurse reflects on ‘electric’ Coronation concert

12:16 , Daniel Keane

A nurse who was invited to the Coronation Concert as a coronation champion has told of the “electric” atmosphere at the concert.

Michelle Beaver, 51, and her husband Peter, 55, travelled from Liverpool to Windsor to attend Sunday’s concert, donning red T-shirts adorned with the words Queen and King respectively.

She was invited after being chosen as a coronation champion for volunteering with and fundraising for the Marie Curie Hospice in Liverpool for more than 10 years.

Asked if the concert had lived up to her expectations, the cardiology nurse at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital said: “It was better.

“We had a better view than I realised we would have – we were near the front, which was amazing.

“The atmosphere was electric and everyone was so chatty, sharing where they travelled from to get here and it was such an honour to have been chosen as a coronation champion.”

Pictured: Royal family help volunteers at Scouts hut in Slough

12:59 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children have joined volunteers to help renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough, as part of volunteering initiative the Big Help Out.

PM backs Met Police amid criticism over Coronation arrests

13:21 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Rishi Sunak has backed the Metropolitan Police amid criticism of the arrests of protesters during the King’s coronation.

“The police are operationally independent of Government, they’ll make these decisions based on what they think is best,” the Prime Minsiter told reporters.

“Actually I’m grateful to the police and everyone who played a part in ensuring that this weekend has gone so well, so successfully and so safely.

“That was an extraordinary effort by so many people and I’m grateful to them for all their hard work.”

Read our full story here.

Concert drone show describes ‘nerve-wracking but exciting’ experience

13:39 , Daniel Keane

The mastermind behind the "largest ever multi-location UK drone show" said pulling off the Coronation Concert spectacle was a "nerve-wracking but exciting" experience.

Patrick O'Mahony, founder and director of Skymagic, said 1,000 drones took part in the light shows over Windsor Castle, Cardiff Bay and the Eden Project in Cornwall on Sunday.

Speaking on Monday, Mr O'Mahony told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “It was the biggest single performance across multi sites we've ever done, so to try and co-ordinate it all from one central location in Windsor and trigger three shows all at the same time, all with obviously not rehearsing, giving the game away in advance, it was a quite nerve-wracking but exciting evening really.”

He said they had rehearsed at a “secret location up in Yorkshire” so as not to spoil the surprise.

On how many drones were involved, he said: “It was 1,000 across all three sites, so the biggest show we've done like that.”

Watch: Andrew Lloyd Webber reflects on writing the coronation anthem

13:56 , Daniel Keane

London Assembly member hits out at Met over arrests

14:13 , Daniel Keane

The chair of London Assembly’s police and crime committee, Caroline Russell, has criticised the Met Police over the arrests of protesters during the Coronation.

Officers made 64 arrests on Saturday during a series of demonstrations by anti-monarchy groups.

Ms Russell told Sky News: “What it feels like is there has been a chilling suppression of protest over the weekend.”

She added: “When you have all the might of state and pomp and church and army at the coronation, then I think it is absolutely fair enough in a democracy where we have freedom of speech for people to raise those questions.”

Saint Vincent PM hoping to end country's relationship with British monarch

14:34 , Daniel Keane

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has said it is his desire to oust the King as the nation's head of state after a failed referendum in 2009.

“It's something that I'm hoping to see consummated, the severing of the umbilical cord between our country and the British monarch,” he told BBC Radio 4's the World At One programme.

“King Charles knows that, he and I have discussed that in very amicable ways, but Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will remain in the Commonwealth.

“The King is understanding of the impulses of former colonial peoples to cut the links.”

It comes after Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew told the BBC a public consultation on whether the Commonwealth realm nation should become a republic will start during his leadership.

Pictured: Sunak serves up drinks for Big Help Out celebrations

15:02 , Daniel Keane

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was pictured a drink for a member of a community group's lunch club at Mill End Community Centre, Rickmansworth as part of Monday’s Big Help Out.

Coronation Big Lunch attendees hopeful after world record attempt

15:26 , Daniel Keane

Coronation Big Lunch attendees in south-east London believe they may have set the record for the “largest human image of a crown” after more than 500 people donned purple, yellow and white and joined in on coronation weekend.

Steve Sangster, 40, from Orpington, chairman of the Knoll Residents Association, said that the idea to go for the record came after the community produced a portrait image of Queen Elizabeth II using candles in 2022.

“The idea of the record attempt came from the Queen's death in terms of the twinkling stars,” he said.

“Someone said 'Oh, it's probably some sort of world record, the largest image of the Queen', and that got us thinking maybe for our next event we'll do something along those lines.

“We wanted to look forward to the coronation really with a different sort of vibe, we wanted it to be a celebration.”

Duchess of Edinburgh takes part in puppy class

15:45 , Daniel Keane

The Duchess of Edinburgh took part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Training Centre in Reading with an eleven-month-old puppy named Sunny.

Archbishop of Canterbury dons Bon Jovi apron at homeless charity

16:02 , Daniel Keane

The Archbishop of Canterbury donned a denim Bon Jovi apron as he served lunch at a homeless charity as part of the Big Help Out.

Just two days after crowning the King, Justin Welby protected his clerical collar with the pinny which featured the rockers’ winged emblem as he lent a hand at Catching Lives in Canterbury.

Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop’s office, said it was delighted with the “enthusiasm and support” for the King and Queen’s “joyful and inspiring” coronation service.

The Archbishop, who is patron of the charity, was joined by his wife, Caroline, as he handed over plates of cottage pie while working in the kitchen during the national volunteering drive on Monday at the end of the coronation weekend.

A Lambeth Palace spokesperson said: “We are delighted with the enthusiasm and support for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s coronation – at Westminster Abbey, up and down the country and around the world – as we marked this historic moment in our national life.

“We give thanks for a beautiful service that was both sacred and solemn, joyful and inspiring, and suffused with the love of God.”

Women’s football team moves game due to bouncy castle on pitch

16:17 , Daniel Keane

A women's football team arrived for their final home game of the season only to find a bouncy castle had been put up on it as part of coronation celebrations.

Colney Heath Ladies were meant to play their last home game against Bowers & Pitsea Ladies on Sunday, on a pitch they regularly use at Colney Heath FC, in the Hertfordshire village.

But players were surprised to find the bouncy castle on the pitch, which organisers refused to move.

Players had to play on a different pitch at the venue, which resulted in a "sour end" to their league campaign.

"We were aware of the fact that there was an event happening, but we didn't know that it would be to the effect that we wouldn't be able to use the pitch", a club spokesperson, who did not wish to be named, told the PA news agency.

PM serves lamb casserole and wine in Hertfordshire

17:08 , Miriam Burrell

Diners at a local lunch club in Hertfordshire have said they feel “really fortunate” after a surprise visit by the Prime Minister as part of the Big Help Out.

Local residents, most of them elderly, were served lamb casserole and wine by “very special guests” Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, in the dining room of Mill End Community Centre in Rickmansworth.

Mr Sunak and Ms Murty chopped parsnips and strawberries in the kitchen in black aprons before joining the room in a toast which ended in the group saying “long live the King” and giving three cheers.

Read more here.

First official portrait of the King released

17:24 , Miriam Burrell

Buckingham Palace have tweeted the first official portrait of the King following his coronation, taken by Hugo Burnand.

Official portraits released

17:59 , Miriam Burrell

Traditional official portraits marking the coronation of Charles and Queen Camilla have been released.

Read: King’s written message in full

18:03 , Miriam Burrell

Pictured: Official coronation portrait

18:05 , Miriam Burrell

The working royal family – the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Edinburghs, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Kent, the Gloucesters and Princess Alexandra – have been photographed standing with the King and Queen in the images by Hugo Burnand.

Pictured: Camilla in solo portrait

18:07 , Miriam Burrell

Camilla was pictured alongside the King, and also in a solo portrait, wearing Queen Mary’s Crown, with the train of her lengthy embroidered Robe of Estate spread in front of her.

King captured in full regalia

18:10 , Miriam Burrell

The King was captured in his full regalia. He wore the Imperial State Crown, holding the Orb and Sceptre with Cross, and dressed in his regal purple tunic and Robe of Estate, seated on a Throne Chair in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace.

What’s happened today?

18:43 , Miriam Burrell

If you’re just joining us, Buckingham Palace has released official coronation portraits this evening, including solo portraits of the monarch and Queen Camilla.

The royal family has been captured by former Tatler photographer Hugo Burnand – a favourite of Charles and Camilla’s.

King Charles has also written a statement, which you can read in full below, thanking everyone who helped with the coronation celebrations over the long weekend.

Meanwhile a number of working royals have been out volunteering today in the Big Help Out - including Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.

Read our wrap of today’s events here.

Republic CEO says police ‘taking no further action'

19:01 , Miriam Burrell

Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy Republic campaign group – who was among those arrested on Saturday – tweeted: “We have just been told that the police will be taking no further action.

“This has been a disgraceful episode and we will be speaking to lawyers about taking legal action.

“I also expect a full inquiry into why they repeatedly lied to us and who authorised the arrests.”

Live coverage ends

20:22 , Miriam Burrell

That’s all for our live coverage of the coronation.

Click here to find out what happened today.