World leaders arrive for glittering Coronation reception for King Charles
Leaders from around the World have begun to arrive at Buckingham Palace ahead of King Charles's Coronation ceremony for a star-studded reception hosted by the King and Queen Camilla. Representatives from 203 countries are due to attend the historic ceremony in Westminster Abbey on Saturday including a number of effortlessly fashionable European royals and global female icons.
Among those VIPs attending the glamourous reception are the First Lady of the United States Jill Biden and Princess Mary of Danemark who both sported blue clatch bags for the occasion.
They were joined by the wife of Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelensky, Olena Zelenska who chose an elegant black outfit with a label pin.
Prince Charlene of Monaco made arguably the biggest fashion statement of the night with a flowing light blue top with a single shoulder and uneven hemline, with gemstones to complete the look.
Also pictured arriving at the royal function were Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, along with Queen Rania of Jordan and King Abdullah II.
The King and Queen of Jordan were among a number of international royals from outside Europe attending the reception on Friday.
They joined the royal families of Bhutan Tonga, and Thailand, and the Mori king of New Zealand along with Crown Princess Kiko of Japan.
Inviting members of foreign royal families to the Coronation ceremony is a break from a centuries-old tradition, one which held the sacred ceremony to involve only the monarch and his or her subjects.
Among those not extended an invitation were Russia and Iran, who joined Belarus, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela on the non-attendees list.
Controversially however the Chinese vice-president Han Zheng has been invited, a move which has been criticised as "outrageous" by some Conservative MPs who point to Han's role in Beijing's civil liberties crackdown in Hong Kong.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he broached areas of "deep disagreement" during a meeting with the Chinese vice president in London.
Mr Cleverly said he "made plain" the UK's position on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan during talks on Friday.
It also comes at a time of increasingly fractious relations between London and Beijing, with a vocal section of Tory backbenchers calling for the UK to become more hawkish towards China due to security concerns.
King Charles meets Commonwealth leaders before coronation
Mr Cleverly, writing on Twitter on Friday, said: "Engagement with China means discussing areas of deep disagreement and vital co-operation.
"Today with VP Han Zheng, I made plain the UK's views on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan.
"We also discussed working together on climate change, economic ties and people-to-people links."
Meanwhile, Mr Cleverly and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are among the government officials who have arrived at Buckingham Palace this evening.
Five key moments to watch for during King Charles's Coronation
King Charles's Coronation is a historic day, filled with symbolism and tradition. Here are the key moments you need to watch for.
1. Coach procession
King Charles and Queen Camilla will have two processional journeys, to and from Westminster Abbey.
First, they will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Then after the Coronation service, they will return to Buckingham Palace in the 260-year-old Gold State Coach pulled by eight horses.
There will be 4,000 armed forces in a procession spanning one mile long.
2. Anointing
The King will be anointed by holy Chrism oil, made from olives from the Mount of Olives and consecrated in Jerusalem.
This is thought to be one of the most sacred parts of the ceremony.
3. Music
You will be able to listen out for 12 new pieces of music commissioned by King Charles, including a coronation anthem composed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
There will be solo performances from bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, soprano Pretty Yende and baritone, Roderick Williams, with a special coronation orchestra conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.
4. Crowning
Charles will take a seat on the coronation chair and the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown will be placed on his head by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The crown weighs a staggering 2.2k (4lb 12 ounces) and is a replacement for the original crown which dates back to the 11th century.
5. Balcony moment
At Buckingham Palace, the King and Queen will take to the iconic balcony accompanied by senior royals.
There will be a flypast by the Red Arrows and historic World War 2 planes.
Earlier in the day, Mr Sunak met with several world leaders to discuss climate change, trade, and sports before the coronation of King Charles.
Among those he met were the prime ministers of Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand's Chris Hipkins.
The Emir of Qatar, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also met the King.
The King also joined other realm prime ministers and governors general at the lunch before heading to a Commonwealth Heads of Government leaders meeting the day before his coronation.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were also at the lunch at Buckingham Palace.
Completing the royal contingent were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
Guests arrived in the white drawing room before a drinks reception in the music room followed by lunch in the blue drawing room.
Mr Sunak was laughing and chatting with guests while the Princess of Wales, wearing a white dress, spoke to leaders including Mr Albanese and Mr Hipkins.
Later King Charles, who is head of the Commonwealth, attended a Commonwealth Heads of Government leaders meeting and garden reception at Marlborough House.
The meeting came after Charles, William and Kate pleased crowds on The Mall with a surprise walkabout.
The King mingled with leaders at the meeting before they all gathered in the garden for a group photograph with the Commonwealth mace.
King Charles also found time to surprise royal fans camped out on the Mall on a walkabout.
He chatted with wellwishers as the monarch made his way along the crowd shaking hands.
Dire-hard fans of the royal have been camping out outside Buckingham Palace for days ahead of the Coronation.
Cheers went up from the crowd as the King was spotted, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
A hearty rendition of 'God Save The King" was sung, as Prince Willian and Princess Kate posted for selfies.
The princess disclosed that her children, who are anticipated to be present at the historic coronation, are feeling both excited and nervous.
Prince George is expected to have a prominent part in the event, while Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will also be in attendance.
Quizzed by a BBC reporter how George, Charlotte and Louis were "doing", Kate replied: "They're really well, thank you.
"Excited, a bit nervous obviously with a big day ahead - can't wait actually."
George will act as one of the King's Pages of Honour and is expected to help hold the long train of his grandfather's robe of estate.
Questioned about how she and husband William were coping, the princess replied: "All good, hopefully a bit like swans, relatively calm on the outside and paddling on the inside."
And when asked about the King, she said: "Looking forward to it as well."
The preparations for the coronation are almost finished, and the decorations along The Mall include large union flags and flags from the Commonwealth. Additionally, measures such as crash barriers and crowd control are in place to ensure safety and order during the event.