A smiling King Charles III has thanked well-wishers for their support during a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace ahead of his Coronation.
The King laughed and shook hands with members of the public, who had brought union jacks and pretend crowns.
Accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, some of the crowd sang God Save the King.
The walkabout on the Mall had a high security presence, with dozens of cars and police on motorbikes.
Thousands turned out for the event, and shouts of “best of luck” and “good luck tomorrow” could be heard. One woman cried: “Love you Charlie!”
The King laughed when asked by a man if he was nervous for tomorrow, and joked to some children: “No school? You’ve done very well!”
Among the onlookers were royal fans from across the world.
Calling from the side of the Mall, one woman said: “King Charles, it is so nice to meet you – we came here from America!”
Another man remarked: “I came from Bangkok”, to which the King replied: “It’s nice to meet you.”
Prince William and Catherine posed for photographs with supporters.
Speaking to a BBC reporter on the Mall, the princess revealed her children were “a bit nervous” and “excited” and could not wait for the day.
Prince George is set to play a starring role in the coronation and Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are also expected to attend the historic day.
One woman called Faby, from London, told PA news agency she had shaken hands with the King and found him charming.
“It was incredible,” the 55-year-old said. “It’s not every day you get to shake hands with the King. It was so lovely.”
Theresa Iredale, who turns 66 on Saturday, the day of the Coronation, wore a plastic crown.
She said the King thanked her for coming and congratulated her when she told him about her birthday.
“I was shaking. I saw his hand coming out to mine and I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m shaking the King’s hand’. A special moment.”
It is a moment of celebration; enjoy tomorrow,” Catherine said to one woman.
She appeared to take part in a video call at one stage before also speaking on another person’s phone then handing it back.
As well as union jacks, other flags on display included ones representing Germany, Wales, Canada and Australia. Cries of “Hip, hip, hooray” also rang out.
The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, earlier attended a rehearsal at Westminster Abbey, before hosting a special lunch at Buckingham Palace for leaders of the Commonwealth – the 15 countries where he is monarch.
Attendees included UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins.
Saturday’s Coronation begins at 11:00 BST (10:00 GMT) in Westminster Abbey, and will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
At 13:00, the King and Queen will leave Westminster Abbey in a ceremonial procession back to Buckingham Palace, joined by other members of the Royal Family.
Royal fans who will be in London to celebrate the occasion are advised to bring umbrellas, cagoules and waterproof jackets.
Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston said “it’s 50/50” as to whether a fly-past scheduled to go over the Mall and Buckingham Palace after 14:15 BST will happen.
It will consist of more than 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force – including the Red Arrows – but a final decision will be made just one or two hours before it is due to start.
BBC Weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said cloud was expected to “quickly thicken” during the morning with “outbreaks of rain moving in”.
“The rain will often tend to be light and drizzly, but a few heavier bursts are possible,” he said.
“The weather will slowly become drier through the afternoon, perhaps with some sunny spells to end the day.”
Source – BBC News
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