King Charles III has been crowned at his coronation inside Westminster Abbey.

The monarch ascended the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, died last September.

The centuries-old ceremony is believed to have attracted a global TV audience into the billions.

Hundreds of thousands have lined the route between the abbey and Buckingham Palace.

This afternoon, the King and Queen Consort traveled back to the palace and appeared on its famous balcony with other members of the Royal Family to watch a military flypast.

Today marks the day King Charles, 74, has been waiting for his whole life.

The oldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has been destined to take over his mother’s position, and his whole life has built up to this day.

When the Queen died, Charles immediately took over as the reigning monarch but it is the official ceremony today which marks the formal ascendancy.

By his side is his wife of 18 years, Camilla, who is to take on the title of Queen Consort, as requested by the Queen shortly before her death.

The historic event takes place over three days, starting with the ceremony at Westminister Abbey before a congregation of 2,200.

The ceremony, led in-part by the Archbishop of Canterbury, has been attended by the royal family, the government, heads of state, royals from around the world, celebrities, sports people and representatives from charities, the NHS and veteran organisations.

The coronation is both a religious ceremony and an act of tradition that cements the new monarch's role as head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of titles and powers to them.

The momentous occasion has been marked by the sound of trumpets, gun salutes and the bells of Big Ben.

The King and Queen Consort left Westminster Abbey at 1pm for the Coronation Procession back to Buckingham Palace, traveling in the gold State Coach, drawn by eight horses, alongside 4,000 military personal.

At 1.45pm the couple will took the salute before ‘three cheers’ for the new King and Queen.

On Sunday, celebrations continue as the country is encouraged to unite to enjoy the Coronation Big Lunch, organised by educational charity Eden Project, in their community.

As is tradition the King, and Queen Consort, have chosen a coronation dish to mark the occasion.

While coronation chicken was the Queen’s choice more than 70 years ago, Charles has chosen quiche as his dish.

The selection is thought to come from his apparent affinity for eggs and cheese. In fact, in 2018, Clarence House released a recipe on social media of the then prince's favourite "cheesy baked eggs", which – like the coronation quiche – also contains spinach.

Other ingredients in the quiche include broad beans and tarragon, which is thought to be a nod to Charles' commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture.

After lunch, and to cap off festivites on Sunday, an official concert is being held in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

A crowd of 20,000 is expected to enjoy performances from acts such as Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Ritchie. Whilst for those who prefer to celebrate in the more traditional sense pubs will be open late, thanks to a relaxation of laws introduced for May 5, 6 and 7.

The bank holiday Monday gifted to us by the new King is the day where people are encouraged to give something back to their community in The Big Help Out.

The idea of the King, the aim of the day is to shine a light on the important role volunteers play in local communities and encourage people to donate a few hours of their time to a charity or cause in their area.

The RSPCA, the Scouts and NSPCC having already pledged to take part with their own events welcoming new volunteers, while litter picks are taking place across the country.

Street parties are taking place across Kent. While various venues across the county are hosting picnics, royal-themed activites and erecting large screens showing the Coronation. For more details click here

In Central Park, Dartford on Sunday 700 guests will enjoy a bandstand concert, a goody bag, sweets, drinks, ice cream, workshops and entertainment. There will also be 68 coronation street parties happening around the area, plus 13 larger community events.

While in Maidstone 70 pupils from primary schools in the borough will be joining Mayor of Maidstone Councillor Derek Mortimer for a traditional street party in the town square, which has been renamed Coronation Square for the occasion.

On Saturday morning between 10.30 and 11am the churches around Maidstone will ring out their bells.

In Medway, a 21-Gun Royal Salute will be fired from the Belvedere Battery of Fort Amherst on Saturday, May 6 at 12pm to mark the exact moment King Charles III will be crowned.

Rochester Cathedral will be welcoming visitors to watch the ceremony on the screens inside the cathedral. The Nave will be emptied of chairs, allowing groups to picnic in the medieval cathedral and The Jubilee Oak Table will be avaiable to sit at on a first-come-first-served basis.

The spectacular 13-metre-long table is made from the wood of a 5,000 year old fossilised black oak tree and was dedicated to the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee. Visitors can also watch proceedings, including the evening concert, on a large screen at Rochester Castle.

Tonbridge will be hosting the highest number of street parties in the county, as well as throwing a party at Tonbridge Castle on Sunday May 7.

Hosted on the castle lawn from 12 noon until 5pm, everyone is invited to wear red, white and blue, bring a picnic or enjoy the variety of food and drink that will be on sale.

The Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Sue Bell, will join picnickers who will be entertained by the West Kent Big Band, 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band and the Loose Women Morris.

Celebrations will continue into the town with nearby River Walk setting the scene for art and craft stalls while union jack decorations will line the High Street which will also feature special coronation-themed hanging baskets. Retailers will be adding to the colour of the occasion with royal-themed window displays as part of a competition run by the council and the Tonbridge Town Team.

A big lunch one is also taking place in Whitefriars Square in Canterbury between 11am and 4pm and will include live music, face painting, coronation games and children’s activities.There are also events in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral and at the Salvation Army hall in Sittingbourne.