Royalty seems to fascinate the French. Nearly nine million viewers on average watched the coronation in London of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday on all the channels that broadcast it, according to data from Médiamétrie communicated on Sunday May 7. This corresponds to an audience share of 70.6% between 11:52 a.m. and 1:44 p.m. on TF1, France 2, M6 and the news channels (BFMTV, CNews, LCI, franceinfo). Follow our live.
Over 14 million viewers on the BBC. For the funeral of Elizabeth II last September, the average audience had been more than 26 million viewers with a peak of 28 million viewers, including 18.5 million on the BBC. For the funeral of Elizabeth II last September, the average audience had been more than 26 million viewers with a peak of 28 million viewers, including 18.5 million on the BBC.
After the solemnity of the coronation, place to the party. The royal couple, 74 and 75, are hosting a private reception at Windsor Castle on Sunday before attending the concert, hosted by actor Hugh Bonneville (known for his role as an aristocrat in Downtown Abbey) in front of 20,000 spectators. On the program, in particular: the American singers Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. On the other hand, no headliner of the British song is there.
Release of Graham Smith, leader of anti-monarchist protesters. British police released Saturday evening the main organizer of a demonstration against the monarchy on the sidelines of the coronation of Charles III, whose arrest had been widely criticized. “The right to protest no longer exists in the UK”said on Twitter the leader of the group Republic.
From Brussels to Washington, cascading congratulations for Charles III. Among the messages sent to the sovereign, the American president, Joe Biden welcomed the “long friendship” American-British. This coronation “is a testament to the enduring strength of the British monarchy, a symbol of stability and continuity”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.
British police said they arrested 52 protesters on the sidelines of the ceremony. Authorities apprehended dozens of environmental activists planning actions on the route of the royal procession. Law enforcement also arrested at least six anti-monarchy activists who staged a protest in Trafalgar Square.
A grand religious ceremony. In front of nearly 2,300 guests, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, laid St Edward’s crown on the head of Charles III. Shortly before, the sovereign took an oath to serve his subjects and to protect the Church of England of which he is the supreme head. He received the anointing, protected from view by screens. At the end of this ceremony, Charles III and Camilla returned to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach, a golden carriage used at each coronation.