KING Charles III's pomp-filled coronation today will feature many ancient traditions in a ceremony harking back to the 10th century.
But while custom and ritual will remain key, the new king has made no secret of his wish to modernise.
This is what we know about Charles' plans for a 21st century coronation and how it compares to the last one, of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.
- Smaller guest list -
Around 2,000 people will be present in Westminster Abbey, compared with more than 8,000 in 1953 who had to squeeze onto specially built platforms.
The reduction echoes Charles's longstanding aim of "streamlining" the monarchy itself, reducing it to around seven key working members.
The length of the ceremony will also be slashed from nearly three hours to just over one hour.
- Fascinators or tiaras? -
At Elizabeth's coronation almost all royal women and female aristocrats wore tiaras.
The dress code for Charles's coronation has yet to be confirmed but there is speculation there might be a move to smart attire teamed with hats or fascinators for all but the most senior royal women.
- Dressed down lords -
A limited number of places for MPs and members of the upper house of parliament known as the House of Lords are being allocated by cross-party ballot.
In 1953, more than 800 MPs and 900 peers, members of the Lords including dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons who had inherited a seat along with their title, attended in their long crimson velvet cloaks.
The hereditary element to membership of the Lords was reformed in 1999 and this time members have been told not to wear their special coronation robes.
Instead they can opt for the ceremonial robes they usually wear for the state opening of parliament or standard business dress.
- Recycled crown -
Camilla will be crowned with a crown made for Queen Mary - Charles's great-grandmother in 1911.
It will make her the first queen consort in almost three centuries to make modifications to an existing crown for the event rather than commission a new one.
- Vegan oil -
The oil used to anoint the monarch will be vegan.
Previous anointing oil included ambergris from whale intestines.
The oil to be used for Charles's ceremony will be animal free and contain olive oil scented with sesame, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and amber as well as orange blossom.
- Greek tribute -
Greek Orthodox chanting will feature for the first time in a coronation, in memory of Charles's father Prince Philip.
He was born in Corfu and was a member of the Greek royal family.
The Byzantine Chant Ensemble led by Alexander Lingas, a professor of Orthodox music, has been formed especially for the performance.
The Ascension Choir will also be the first gospel choir to sing at a coronation.
- Girl power -
For the first time girls will be among the scholarship pupils, known as King's scholars, from the exclusive Westminster School who will take part in the ceremony.
In 1953, the school in central London was a boys-only school.
A mixed group of pupils will acclaim the monarch with the Latin cry "Vivat Rex Carolus!" ("Long live King Charles!")
- All mod cons -
Elizabeth travelled both to and from her coronation in the elaborate but uncomfortable 260-year-old Gold State Coach.
Charles and Camilla will use it only for their return journey.
For their outward trip they have opted for the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach which has shock absorbers, heating and air conditioning.
They will also take a far shorter, two-kilometre (1.3 mile) return journey than Elizabeth's over seven kilometre route which lasted two hours.
- Shoulders back -
Compared to the 29,000 members of the armed forces personnel who took part in 1953, Charles's coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace will be a slimmed-down affair.
Just under 4,000 personnel will accompany him and Queen Camilla including military bands.
ETX Studio
Fri May 05 2023
The oil to be used for King Charles's ceremony will be animal free and contain olive oil scented with sesame, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and amber as well as orange blossom. - REUTERS/Filepic
Suruhanjaya Eropah saman Hungary atas dakwaan pelanggaran hak asasi
Budapest gagal hilangkan kebimbangan mengenai undang-undang baharu Hungary yang bertujuan mengehadkan pembiayaan asing bagi kempen politik.
PM Pakistan gembira atas perbincangan produktif dengan PM Malaysia
Bidang-bidang utama itu termasuk perdagangan, IT, tenaga, pertanian, eksport daging halal, pelancongan, pendidikan dan pertahanan.
Rwanda catat 7 lagi kes virus Marburg dan satu lagi kematian
Rwanda mencatatkan tujuh kes baharu penyakit virus Marburg dan satu lagi kematian.
Menurut angka terkini yang dikeluarkan lewat Rabu Kementerian Kesihatan Rwanda,
jumlah keseluruhan jangkitan virus Marburg sejak wabak bermula kini sebanyak 36 kes, dengan 11 kematian dilaporkan setakat ini.
Menurut angka terkini yang dikeluarkan lewat Rabu Kementerian Kesihatan Rwanda,
jumlah keseluruhan jangkitan virus Marburg sejak wabak bermula kini sebanyak 36 kes, dengan 11 kematian dilaporkan setakat ini.
Lebih 140 sekolah UNRWA diserang sejak 7 Oktober
Lebih 140 sekolah UNRWA diserang sejak 7 Oktober dalam keadaan dimana penduduk Gaza berlindung di bawah naungan PBB.
Perkara itu dimaklumkan Pesuruhjaya Agung Agensi Bantuan dan Kerja Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu untuk Pelarian Palestin (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini dalam satu hantaran di X.
Perkara itu dimaklumkan Pesuruhjaya Agung Agensi Bantuan dan Kerja Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu untuk Pelarian Palestin (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini dalam satu hantaran di X.
28 petugas dilapor maut dalam tempoh 24 jam lalu di Lubnan
28 petugas kesihatan dilaporkan terbunuh dalam tempoh 24 jam lalu di Lubnan.
Perkara itu dimaklumkan Ketua Pengarah Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pada Khamis.
Perkara itu dimaklumkan Ketua Pengarah Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pada Khamis.
UNIFIL kekal pada posisi walaupun didesak berundur
Pasukan pengaman PBB di selatan Lubnan terus bertahan pada kedudukan mereka, di bawah mandat UNSC, walaupun diarah Israel untuk berundur.
G7 desak pemain serantau di Asia Barat bertindak cermat dalam krisis
Pemimpin Kumpulan Tujuh (G7) mengulangi kebimbangan mereka terhadap krisis di Asia Barat dan menyeru pemain serantau supaya bertindak dengan bertanggungjawab serta berhemah.
Mereka turut menegaskan sokongan penuh terhadap keselamatan Israel.
Mereka turut menegaskan sokongan penuh terhadap keselamatan Israel.
AS sokong operasi Israel di Lubnan meski risiko meluaskan konflik
Pentadbiran Joe Biden menyatakan bahawa adalah wajar untuk Israel meneruskan serangan darat dan udara terhadap Hezbollah buat masa ini, menurut jurucakap Jabatan Negara Amerika Syarikat, Matthew Miller.
Namun, beliau mengakui risiko operasi di Lubnan mungkin melangkaui matlamat semasa Israel.
Namun, beliau mengakui risiko operasi di Lubnan mungkin melangkaui matlamat semasa Israel.
Shamsul Iskandar dakwa kesepakatan parti dalam PN kian longgar
Shamsul Iskandar berkata, perpecahan dalaman PN itu dapat diukur melalui prestasi mereka pada PRK DUN Nenggiri dan DUN Mahkota.
Politik stabil, dasar kerajaan tarik minat syarikat global melabur di Malaysia - Gobind
Menurut Menteri Digital Gobind Singh Deo, pada masa ini terdapat banyak perbincangan, tidak hanya antara syarikat-syarikat di negara serantau malah dunia berhubung perkara itu.
Raja baharu Britain bakal dikenali sebagai Raja Charles III
Putera sulung Ratu Elizabeth II, Putera Charles dinobatkan raja baharu Britain pada Khamis susulan kemangkatan bonda baginda.