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Britons camp out along procession route ahead of King Charles III’s coronation

LONDON – Dozens of Britons had started to camp out on Thursday to save their spots along the route of the upcoming historic royal processions — still two nights away.

For most Londoners, this week is an opportunity to celebrate their British pride. Military jets will be flying over the city on Saturday to stream red, white, and blue smoke.

The world’s eyes will turn to the six-horse-drawn Diamond Jubilee State Coach’s 1.3-mile journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and the historic return of a 260-year-old Gold State Coach.

Two Royal fans sit along the King's Coronation route at The Mall in London, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will conduct the ancient ritual. King Charles III will accept The St. Edwards Crown. Camilla will be crowned as queen consort.

The ceremony will be more inclusive than when his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned nearly seven decades ago, but it will have a much shorter guest list.

About 2,800 guests, instead of 8,000, will witness the ceremony in person — including First Lady Jill Biden; Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, Kiko; and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

FILE - Coronation plates and mugs are displayed for sale in a gift shop in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

First Lady Jill Biden is scheduled to visit the U.S. Embassy on Friday, in London.

Lionel Richie, who has worked with The Prince’s Trust charity, will be headlining the celebratory concert on Sunday at Windsor Castle, along with fellow American Idol judge Katy Perry.

Not everyone will be celebrating, anti-monarchy groups are allowed to protest peacefully at the Trafalgar Square in central London.

COMPLETE COVERAGE

British Artist Julian Beaver gives the finishing touches to his work based on an image of King Charles III in London, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Members of the military march near Buckingham Palace in central London during a rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
(Buckingham Palace via AP)
FILE - The Gold State Coach is led in a procession as it leaves Westminster Abbey in central London, early Wednesday, May 3, 2023 during a rehearsal. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
A woman poses next to a life-size cardboard cutout of Britain's King Charles III along the King's Coronation route at The Mall in London, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
A woman smiles as she looks at a poster with a portrait of King Charles III in Central London, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Coronation of King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Torres contributed to this report from Miami.


About the Authors
Nicole Perez headshot

Nicole Perez is the the primary co-anchor of Local 10 News at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. She first joined Local 10 in July 2016 as the morning traffic reporter.

Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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