More than 400 military personnel have travelled from Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories to participate on Saturday 6 March] in the historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

In a demonstration of the robust relationship between the United Kingdom and its allies around the world, sailors, soldiers and aviators from 33 Commonwealth countries and six Overseas Territories will march in the Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, UK Ministry of Defence reported.

Personnel from all nations and territories will march in the second processional group, flanked by Guardsmen of the British Army’s Household Division carrying the 56 flags of the Commonwealth nations.

18 representatives of Commonwealth (Realm) nations will also parade in the eighth processional group, having been given the distinguished honour of flanking the Gold State Coach that conveys Their Majesties following their Coronation. These nations are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment and Royal Gibraltar Regiment bring up the rear of the sixth marching detachment.

On 4 May, at Army Training Centre Pirbright, the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories contingent completed a final rehearsal, with military representatives presented with specially-minted, Coronation Coins as thanks for their contribution to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Corporal Uheina Halapiapi, pictured, of His Majesty’s Armed Forces Tonga said: “I am so grateful to be here and to represent his Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga”.

The following Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories have dispatched military detachments to represent them at the Coronation:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gabon, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Montserrat, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda and Zambia.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said of The King’s Coronation: “From the Procession on The Mall, to the flypast over London, with gun salutes at sea and across the country, it will be a spectacular and fitting tribute and a privilege to take part in for all those involved and watching from afar.” --

Key timings for The King’s Coronation [GMT]

At 1020, the King’s Procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey will step off, with Their Majesties The King and Queen Consort conveyed by the Diamond Jubilee Coach.

At 1053, the Diamond Jubilee Coach will arrive at Westminster Abbey. At 1100, Their Majesties will enter the West Door of Westminster Abbey.

At 1201, at the exact moment His Majesty is expected to be crowned, a six-gun salvo will be fired on Horse Guards Parade, and Gun Salutes will be fired at saluting stations across the UK, in overseas territories, and on His Majesty’s ships at sea.

At 1300, the Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace will step off, with Their Majesties conveyed by the Gold State Coach.

At 1330, Their Majesties will arrive back at Buckingham Palace. At 1345, Their Majesties will appear on the west terrace overlooking Buckingham Palace Gardens.

At 1430, a flypast of more than 60 aircraft drawn from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will fly directly over Buckingham Palace and The Mall.

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule at various times by settlement, conquest or cession. The administration of such colonies evolved in different ways, to reflect the different circumstances of each territory.

The 1949 London Declaration recognised King George VI as Head of the Commonwealth. Following his death, the Commonwealth leaders recognised Queen Elizabeth II in that capacity. The role of Head of the Commonwealth is not hereditary, however following a unanimous decision by Commonwealth leaders in 2018, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty The King became Head of the Commonwealth. The King is Sovereign of 14 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK.