Britain crowns Charles and Camilla

King Charles III was crowned Saturday at Westminster Abbey, in a ceremony built on ancient traditions at a time when the British monarchy faces an uncertain future.

Trumpets sounded inside the medieval abbey and the congregation shouted "God save King Charles" as the ceremony.

began in front of more than 2,000 guests, including world leaders, aristocrats and celebrities. Outside, thousands of troops, tens of thousands of spectators and a smattering of protesters converged along a route that the king travelled from Buckingham Palace in a gilt-trimmed, horse-drawn carriage.

It was the final mile of a seven-decade journey for Charles from heir to monarch.

To the royal family and government, the occasion is a display of heritage, tradition and spectacle unmatched around the world.

The rite was expected to be watched by millions, though the awe and reverence the ceremony was designed to evoke are largely gone and many greeted the day with apathy.