King Charles and Queen Camilla thank Britons for ‘greatest coronation gift’ as official portraits released


THE Royal Family gathers around newly crowned King Charles and Queen Camilla — but Princes Harry and Andrew are out of the picture.

The official photo shows the 12 working royals standing in the Buckingham Palace Throne Room, mirroring a line-up for the late Queen’s coronation 70 years ago.

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Charles is seated in his full regalia and the crown jewelsCredit: PA
The reigning royals posed in Buckingham Palace's Throne Room

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The reigning royals posed in Buckingham Palace’s Throne RoomCredit: PA
The new monarchs pictured with (left to right) the Duke of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, and the Duke of Edinburgh

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The new monarchs pictured with (left to right) the Duke of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, and the Duke of EdinburghCredit: PA

But just five faces remain from that day’s black and white snap — the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra and a then very young Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

The new photo — released 48 hours after the stunning ceremony at Westminster Abbey — is one of four which mark the future of the Royal Family and the new monarch’s reign.

The ­official coronation photograph of the new King is almost identical to the famous image taken by Cecil Beaton which marked his mother’s crowning in 1953.

However, Queen Elizabeth was pictured in front of a backdrop photo of Westminster Abbey.

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The King, wearing the Robes of his Estate, is seen on his throne holding the dazzling Orb in his left hand and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross in his right.

The Orb — made from gold in the 17th century — is a representation of the sovereign’s power and symbolises the Christian world.

The gold Sceptre with Cross represents the sovereign’s temporal power and is associated with good governance.

King Charles is pictured wearing the Imperial State Crown which he donned for the ­carriage ride from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace and when he waved to crowds from the balcony.

The monarch is seated on one of a pair of 1902 throne chairs made for the future King George V and Queen Mary for use at the coronation of King Edward VII.

The Palace also released a portrait of smiling Queen Camilla wearing her reconfigured Queen Mary’s Crown and Robe of Estate — taken in the Green Drawing Room.

A fourth image shows the new King, 74, and Queen, 75, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the palace Throne Room.

The incredible photographs were taken by Hugo Burnand on ­Saturday afternoon and released yesterday for the world to enjoy.

In a statement, marking the coronation, King Charles issued his “sincere and heartfelt thanks” to the nation as he and the Queen pledged to “rededicate our lives to serving”.

He said “support and encouragement” and “kindness expressed” over the three-day weekend “has been the greatest possible coronation gift”.

The Royal Family spent the afternoon in the Palace for the official photos and a lunch.

Prince Harry missed the gathering and did not feature in the group picture as he is no longer a working royal.

He and wife Meghan stepped down three years ago.

Soon after the coronation ceremony, Harry, 38, flew back to California to celebrate his son Archie’s fourth birthday with Meghan, 41, and 23-month-old daughter Lilibet.

Prince Andrew, 63, was missing from the family photo because he was stripped of his royal role in disgrace over links to dead paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein.

In the group photo, the King and Queen were flanked by Princess Anne and Prince William.

The Princess Royal, 72, wore her Blues and Royals uniform with the dark green Thistle Mantle, and the Thistle Collar, Garter Sash, Garter Star, Thistle Star, GCVO Star, full-sized medals, KCVO Star and Companion of the Order of the Bath neck decoration.

The Prince of Wales, 40, was in his navy-blue Order of the Garter mantle over his red Welsh Guards’ ceremonial dress uniform as ­Colonel of the regiment.

He also wore his Pilots Wings badge, his Queen’s Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, Order of the Thistle sash and badge, Garter Star and Thistle Star, Order of the Garter Collar and Great George of the Order of the Garter.

The Princess of Wales, 41, wore her blue Royal Victorian Order mantle edged in scarlet over an Alexander McQueen embroidered ivory silk crepe dress.

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Beside Kate, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, 59, were supporting Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, 86.

The group was completed by The Duke of Kent, 87, The Duchess of Gloucester, 76, The Duke of Gloucester, 78, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, 68.

Charles thanked Brits for their 'support and encouragement' during his coronation

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Charles thanked Brits for their ‘support and encouragement’ during his coronationCredit: PA
Camilla was crowned Queen on Saturday

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Camilla was crowned Queen on SaturdayCredit: PA





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