Royal gun salutes mark the first anniversary of the King's coronation
The first anniversary of the King and Queen's coronation was marked with royal gun salutes on Monday, days after Charles returned to public-facing events
Last updated 6th May 2024
At noon, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park, next to Buckingham Palace, later followed by the Honourable Artillery Company firing 62 volleys from Tower Wharf.
Both regiments were present at the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey last year, responsible for firing the guns to signal the moment the crown touched the King's head.
The number of rounds fired in a royal salute depends on the place and occasion, meaning an extra 21 were fired during the latter ceremony "for the City of London".
The King resumed royal engagements with the public just last week, following his cancer diagnosis, for which he is receiving treatment as an outpatient.
It was this time last year that the King and Queen's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey, an event attended by around 100 heads of state, celebrities and friends and family of the couple, as well as thousands of spectators.
The ceremony was followed by a weekend of celebrations, including a pop concert at Windsor Castle.
On Sunday, the day before the anniversary, the Archbishop of Canterbury said anointing and crowning the King was the "privilege of a lifetime".
He also paid tribute to Charles's "openness in sharing his condition" which he said was a "characteristic of his willingness to help and support others".
"It was the privilege of a lifetime to anoint and crown His Majesty, surrounded by so many of the charities and organisations he supports, as well as hundreds of people who are serving their communities," he said.
"The coronation weekend inspired millions up and down the country to volunteer, and I'm delighted that the Big Help Out is returning in June, for us to get together and make a difference.
"The past year has presented the King with some great personal challenges. But I have been struck by his continued sense of duty, having recently returned to royal engagements following treatment.
"His openness in sharing his condition has been characteristic of his willingness to help and support others.
"I continue to pray for King Charles, Queen Camilla and the royal family. May God guide, comfort and strengthen them in their service to us all."
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