King and queen share ‘heartfelt thanks’ as official coronation photos released
King Charles and Queen Camilla have thanked those who joined the weekend’s celebrations, saying it was “the greatest possible coronation gift” as they pledged to rededicate their lives to service.
In a written message as the three days of festivities came to a close, the king said: “We thank you, each and every one.”
The king was photographed in full regalia, wearing the imperial state crown. Photograph: Hugo Burnand/Royal household 2023/PA Wire/PA
Official photographs marking the coronation were released by Buckingham Palace. The king was pictured in his full regalia – wearing the imperial state crown, holding the orb and sceptre with cross, and dressed in his regal purple tunic and robe of estate, seated in the throne room at Buckingham Palace.
The queen was pictured alongside him, 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.
The working royal family – the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Edinburghs, Princess Anne and V Adm Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke of Kent, the Gloucesters and Princess Alexandra – were also photographed standing with the king and queen in the images, shot by Hugo Burnand.
In the message, the king said: “As the coronation weekend draws to a close, my wife and I just wanted to share our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to make this such a special occasion.
“We pay particular tribute to the countless people who have given their time and dedication to ensuring that the celebrations in London, Windsor and further afield were as happy, safe and enjoyable as possible.
The working royal family, from left to right: the Duke of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Timothy Laurence, the Princess Royal, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and the Duke of Edinburgh. Photograph: Hugo Burnand/Royal household 2023/PA Wire/PA
“To those who joined in the celebrations – whether at home, at street parties and lunches, or by volunteering in communities – we thank you, each and every one.
“To know that we have your support and encouragement, and to witness your kindness expressed in so many different ways has been the greatest possible coronation gift, as we now rededicate our lives to serving the people of the United Kingdom, the realms and Commonwealth. Charles R.”
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The queen was pictured wearing Queen Mary’s crown. Photograph: Hugo Burnand/Royal household 2023/PA Wire/PA
William and Catherine and their three children helped renovate a scout hut in Slough on Monday as part of the Big Help Out, as across the country people were encouraged to devote some free time to volunteering.
Prince Louis, five, who missed out on attending Sunday’s Windsor coronation concert, got to drive in a digger with his father, William, while George, nine, was allowed to use a drill to make a hole, and Charlotte, eight, tried her hand at some interior decorating of the 3rd Upton Scouts hut.
The volunteering drive has been billed as the lasting legacy of the coronation, with tens of thousands registering for events nationwide.
The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and his wife, Akshata Murty, visited a local lunch club at the Mill End community centre in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, run by the Royal Voluntary Service. The couple chopped parsnips and strawberries.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, was answering phones at an NHS volunteer responders programme.
The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, wearing a Bon Jovi apron, served lunch at Catching Lives, a homeless charity in Canterbury, handing over plates of cottage pie.
Meanwhile, Coronation Big Lunch attenders in south-east London believe they may have set a record for the “largest human image of a crown” after more than 500 people donned purple, yellow and white and joined in.
Those who attended the Big Lunch coronation tea party at Broomhill Common in Orpington on Sunday were invited to participate in the record attempt, with the template taking inspiration from the Wye Crown in Kent, carved into a hillside to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902.
Source: The Guardian
