London, May 6: King Charles III was crowned on Saturday in Britain's biggest ceremonial event in seven decades. It was a ceremony built on ancient traditions at a time when the British monarchy faces an uncertain future. Charles' second wife Camilla, 75, was also crowned queen.
Ceremonial gun salutes blasted out across land and sea while bells pealed in celebration at churches across the country as they were crowned.
Charles automatically succeeded his mother, as king, on her death last September, and the coronation is as a means to legitimise the monarch in a public way.

The historic and solemn event dates back to the time of the 74-year-old's predecessor William the Conqueror in 1066. In front of a congregation of about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown on Charles' head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminister Abbey.
"No other country could put on such a dazzling display - the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties," Britain's prime minister Rishi Sunak said.
Charles III, during his coronation ceremony on Saturday, took the second oath -- the Accession Declaration Oath -- stating that he is a "faithful Protestant".
The Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged the multiple faiths observed in the UK by saying the Church of England "will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths may live freely". Welby then administered the Coronation Oath -- a legal requirement and asked King Charles, 74, to confirm that he would uphold the law and the Church of England during his reign.
There has been a deliberate attempt to make the Coronation a more multifaith and diverse ceremony, alongside what is essentially a Christian church service.
Sunak on Saturday made history as the first Indian-origin British prime minister to perform a reading at the Coronation ceremony.
The 42-year-old British Hindu leader read from the Epistle to the Colossians from the New Testament reflecting the theme of service to others, in keeping with the recent tradition of UK Prime Ministers giving readings at State occasions. He and his wife Akshata Murty led the procession of flag-bearers as the UK's Union Jack flag was carried into the Abbey by a high-ranking Royal Air Force cadet.
Indian Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar on Saturday represented India at the historic Coronation ceremony of King Charles at Westminster Abbey here.
Dhankhar, who arrived here on Friday, joined an estimated 100 Heads of State and government from around the world invited to the historic crowning of Britain's new monarch.
On Friday, Dhankar interacted with King Charles at a reception soon after his arrival here to attend the majestic Coronation ceremony.-Agencies