King Charles III arrives for his coronation at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday. Grandson Prince George can be seen to the left, behind the King, serving as one of the page boys. (Andrew Matthew/Getty Images)[/caption] Dignitaries and world leaders in attendance included U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and eight current and former British prime ministers. About 4,000 troops will march to Buckingham Palace in the post-ceremony procession, making it Britain’s biggest military parade in 70 years. Bringing up the rear will be the newly crowned King and Queen in a 261-year-old carriage gilded from nose to tail in glittering gold. Tens of thousands of people amassed in central London in the rain, and loud cheers erupted among wellwishers lining The Mall, the grand avenue leading to the palace, as Charles and Camilla were seen waving from within their Bentley as their motorcade arrived at Buckingham Palace. The couple then left the palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, and after a two-kilometre journey, arrived at Westminster Abbey, where they were crowned. Heir to the throne Prince William, his wife, Kate, and their three children were all in attendance. William’s younger brother Prince Harry, who has publicly sparred with the family, arrived alone. His wife Meghan and their children remained at home in California. [caption id="attachment_79151" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Princess Catherine and Prince William are seen with two of their children, Charlotte and Louis, as they arrive at Westminster Abbey for the coronation. (Andrew Milligan/Getty Images)[/caption] The anti-monarchy group Republic said six of its members, including chief executive Graham Smith, were arrested near Trafalgar Square in central London as they prepared to protest the coronation. On the south side of the square, thousands swelled behind the mental fencing along the procession route. In the middle of the crowd, dozens of anti-monarchy protesters, who held tall yellow banners that read “not my king” which they frequently chanted. Some of those in the crowd shouted back, “Yes, he is,” or “My king, and I am proud of him.” Thousands decked out in their finest Union Jack attire, along with rain coats and ponchos easily drowned out the noise from the protest, but were irritated that the demonstrators were taking up prime space and blocking whatever view their was with their flags. “They can protest, but they can’t hold their flag,” shouted Karen from Devon, southwest England.
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