Prince William has taken a knee to swear allegiance to his father, the first monarch to be crowned in Britain in decades.
The Prince of Wales and wife Catherine, the Duchess of Sussex, flanked by two of their children, wore formal robes and mantels as the pomp and grandeur of King Charles III’s coronation reverberated around Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
Kate paid tribute to William’s mother, the late Princess Diana, and the late Queen Elizabeth II with two sentimental pieces of jewellery, while young Prince George and Charlotte were adorable in blue and white outfits to watch their grandfather’s special moment.
First, Archbishop Justin Welby placed the heavy St Edward’s Crown on the head of Charles, who wore a single white glove as he clutched the Sceptre with Cross — complete with the controversial Star of Africa many want returned to South Africa — and Sceptre with Dove.
Then William stepped forward to kneel before his father, who became King when Queen Elizabeth II died last year.
“I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God,” he recited, eyes to the right.
A solemn touch of the crown and a kiss on the cheek completed the historic moment.
The Waleses’ arrival had earlier caused some consternation, with royal expert Dickie Arbiter declaring they were running late.
“(I’m not sure) whether the Diamond Jubilee State Coach procession was a little bit faster than anticipated, and I think we will get that in the post-mortem afterwards,” he said on the 9News special coverage.
“Meanwhile, it is a little bit of a wait for the King and Queen.
“They can’t go in before the Prince and Princess of Wales arrive because the King and Queen are the main act.”
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Arbiter suggested the tardiness could have been down to Prince George “throwing a wobbly, saying he doesn’t want to be a page of honour”.
“This is all pure speculation, but you have to be calm about these things.
“Nothing in this world is perfect. Everybody is in place except four key players.”
Poignant moment William kisses his father
When they did arrive, all eyes were on Kate, resplendent in an ivory silk crepe Alexander McQueen dress.
She wore no tiara, at the request of the King and Queen, but donned pearl and diamond earrings belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales, and a statement diamond necklace that previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
There was no sign of problems with George as he and three other pages of honour helped carry the king’s long train down the aisle of the abbey.
The royals’ youngest son, five-year-old Louis, waved to the crowds upon arrival and was seen pointing with his sister but wasn’t expected to stay for the whole two-hour ceremony.
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