King Charles III and his Queen Camilla may have been at the very heart of the coronation celebrations, but for those with a keen eye, there was much pleasure to be gleaned elsewhere from what the world’s media never tired of dubbing a “history-making moment”.
Here are some of the best:
Mystery guest
First cab off the rank was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sighting of a mysterious hooded figure in dark robes dashing across the background of the BBC’s broadcast, which predictably set social media awash with speculation.
Although many speculated it was Meghan Markle sneaking into the Abbey, or Princess Diana come to haunt her former husband on his special day, or even the ghost of Queen Elizabeth, Westminster Abbey later clarified the figure was a verger there to assist with the service. Not everyone was convinced, however.
Tweet from @realjoegreeeen
We’ve all been there …
Probably not at a once-in-a-lifetime event with the eyes of the world watching – but didn’t we all feel for US pop starlet Katy Perry as she searched in desperation for her seat?
She looked pretty stunning in that candy-pink ensemble, but the wide-brimmed hat did obscure her view somewhat.
She did get there in the end, to the relief of all celebrity watchers.
Tweet from @zourkandy
Holy Hand Grenade
Monty Python fans were not denied their moment either, as they spied the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, as detailed in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and otherwise known as the Sovereign’s Orb, a golden globe surmounted by a cross.
It reminds the monarch that their power is derived from God.
Tweet from @wolfcat
The sword is mightier
Certainly one of the fashion highlights of the ceremony – the identity of this very stylish woman bearing a blade as part of the official processions was revealed as Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons.
Tweet from @mikeysmith
The Conservative MP was knocked out of the running for the Prime Minister’s job last year by Liz Truss, who subsequently became the UK’s shortest-serving PM.
She knocked it out of the park on this occasion, however – playing a principal role in the coronation proceedings and by being easily the most glamorous person on ground.
Her stunning teal outfit complete with cape, headress and embroidered gold ferns was reminiscent of a Grecian goddess, and she carried herself as such.
“Got to say it, Penny Mordaunt looks damn fine! The sword bearer steals the show,” commented Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP.
“Definitely the ‘Pippa’s bottom’ of the #Coronation,” tweeted another fan.
Tweet from @mjrobbins
Dark prince
Cinema fans also had a field day with Prince Louis’ sombre ensemble, which many felt they had seen somewhere before …
Tweet from @TimxSaxby
Tweet from @charlougray
Of course, you can take on the world when big sis’ has got your back.
Princesses triumph
Pretty as a picture – and a power play from Kate to boot.
The princesses triumphed as they arrived kitted out in matching Alexander McQueen outfits.
The Princess of Wales looked every inch a royal in an ivory gown draped in her blue Royal Victorian Order mantle, trimmed in scarlet – her uniform as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
They followed up that triumph with a gorgeous behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Cambridges heading out for the coronation.
Tweet from @KensingtonRoyal
Team Harry?
Prince Harry arrived at the ceremony for his father wreathed in smiles, although he slipped off straight afterwards to join his family back in the US for his son Archie’s fourth birthday.
His position in the royal family, or rather, lack thereof, was cemented when he was placed in the third row among the non-working royals.
To add insult to injury, he spent the entire ceremony obscured by his aunty Princess Anne’s extravagant hat, complete with strategically placed feather.
Coincidence? We think not.
Tweet from @richardaeden
The day after the big event, the secret of Harry’s snappy suit was out, with Dior posting that the fifth in line to the throne had been kitted out by designer Kim Jones for the coronation.
Tweet from @Dior
The move was seen as a little gauche, as the famed Parisian fashion house announced to the world that it had dressed the world’s most famous royal refuser.
It also raised a few eyebrows among royal watchers as being “tacky”, a “new low” and a spot of “spon-con” [sponsored content].
Let’s be fair, though, Harry isn’t bound by the rules working royals have to follow, and he looked quite smart in his bespoke duds, sponsored or not.
Over on Twitter, the Dior account’s post about ‘The Suit’ has been viewed at least 2.6 million times.
True Prince of Darkness
And what’s a true coronation event without our very own resident Prince of Darkness Nick Cave lurking in the back stalls.
The UK-based musician and thoroughly Bad Seed was spotted as part of the Australian contingent invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Earlier this week he said it would “more than likely be the most important historical event in the UK of our age. Not just the most important, but the strangest, the weirdest”.
Cave has confessed to a certain “attachment” to the royals, but could he have been the dark-clad ‘grim reaper’ we saw flitting through those hallowed halls?
If it was, he isn’t telling.
Tweet from @pitchfork
