After the solemnity of the coronation, a giant concert in front of Windsor Castle

British flag in hand, about 20,000 spectators gathered in front of the castle, which is west of London, to attend this concert. The evening started as soon as Charles and Camilla, smiling, took their places in the stands, to the applause of the spectators. Several members of the royal family are present, including William and Kate and their children George and Charlotte.

It is hosted by actor Hugh Bonneville, best known outside the UK for his role in the series Downton Abbey, about the adventures of an aristocratic family and their servants at the beginning of the 20th century. The concert can be seen in more than a hundred countries and could therefore be watched by millions of people. On the large circular stage in front of the castle, the Americans Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli are expected. But no British headliners.

A choir of more than 300 people from a wide variety of backgrounds sang a catchy tune with hopeful lyrics, « There’s gonna be brighter days. » They left the stage to Chinese pianist Lang Lang. The Royal Ballet The Royal Opera House, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal College of Music and The Royal College of Art performed together. In the early afternoon, the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate came to greet the enthusiastic spectators who had arrived hours in advance. Sunday was also marked by « big lunches » and neighborhood parties across the country. More than 67,000 events have been recorded.

Jill Biden, the wife of the US President, joined a lunch outside Downing Street hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and youth groups. « It’s the perfect way to celebrate the event, » rejoiced with AFP Annette Cathcart, who participated in a lunch organized in Ashley Green, in the south of England. But more than 70% of Britons, unmotivated by the coronation, had no intention of taking part in any celebration, according to a recent YouGov poll. On Monday, a public holiday granted especially for the coronation, the British were encouraged to take part in voluntary actions.

Buckingham Palace released a statement on Sunday saying Charles and Camilla were « deeply touched » and « deeply grateful to all who helped make this such a glorious moment ». The coronation Saturday in London of Charles III, gave rise to a religious ceremony and a sumptuous procession, with all the pomp associated with the great events of the monarchy. Eight months after his accession to the throne on the death of his mother Elizabeth II, Charles III, who is 74, was crowned at Westminster Abbey in front of 2,300 guests according to an ancient Anglican rite, modernized at the margin. His 75-year-old wife Camilla was also blessed and crowned. It was the first coronation for 70 years, when Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.

More than 14 million viewers watched live on the BBC as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the first dignitary of the Anglican religion, placed the heavy crown of St Edward on Charles’s head. But, by comparison, there were 31 million watching Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 on the BBC and ITV.

Charles is less popular than his mother Elizabeth II, and anti-monarchists demonstrated on Saturday in London as the carriages passed, as well as in Scotland and Wales. Some 15% of Britons think the monarchy should be abolished.

Six officials of the anti-monarchy group Republic, including its leader Graham Smith, were arrested by police on Saturday morning, sparking heavy criticism. They were released on Saturday evening. « Make no mistake. The right to peaceful protest no longer exists in the UK, » tweeted Graham Smith. In total, police said they arrested 52 people on Saturday « for disturbing public order, breaching the peace and conspiring to cause a public nuisance around the coronation ».