From traditional robes to statement headpieces, royals and guests wore a rainbow of colors to Britain’s King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday, filling London’s Westminster Abbey with a rainbow of hues and designs.
The monarch wore the crimson velvet Robe of State worn by his grandfather King George VI at his coronation in 1937, as well as a crimson coronation tunic and cream silk overshirt with royal naval trousers.
He changed into the 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, made for George IV’s coronation in 1821 and the service’s oldest vestment.
His right hand was fitted with an embroidered white leather glove.
Charles was crowned with the historic St Edward’s Crown, which has been in use since King Charles II’s coronation in 1661.
The late Queen Elizabeth wore the Robe of State, which was made for her in 1953, over an ivory gown embellished with silver and gold floral embroidery by British couturier Bruce Oldfield.
Charles wore a purple Robe of Estate previously worn by George VI, while Camilla wore a design by the Royal School of Needlework with nature-themed embroidery.
“For the first time, insects including bees, butterflies, a beetle, and a caterpillar feature on the Coronation Robe, drawing on themes of nature and the environment and reflecting Their Majesties’ affection for the natural world,” according to Buckingham Palace.
William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, wore formal robes and mantels over their outfits, with the heir to the throne dressed 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 embroidered with 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 gown.
She paid tribute to Princess Diana by wearing pearl and diamond earrings once owned by her, and to Queen Elizabeth by wearing a necklace made for her by George VI in 1950.
Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie, Zara, and Lady Louise wore dresses or coats in fuchsia, blue, and floral prints, while Charles’ siblings wore traditional robes.
Prince Harry, who is no longer a working royal, wore a morning dress.
Among the celebrities in attendance were actress Emma Thompson, who wore a red coat with rose motifs, and American singer Katy Perry, who will perform at the coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday in a lilac short-sleeved skirt suit with matching opera gloves and hat.
Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, both veteran actresses, chose different shades of blue. Singers Nick Cave and Lionel Ritchie, who both performed at the concert on Sunday, wore three-piece black suits, while actor Stephen Fry wore a yellow waistcoat.
Traditional outfits from across the Commonwealth were on display, and peers wore red robes.
U.S. and French first ladies Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron wore powder blue and pale pink outfits, respectively, while Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska wore a sage dress and coat.
Hats and fascinators in fuchsia, orange, and red adorned the Abbey.
