COUNTDOWN TO A CORONATION

Royal fans may have to wait months for the big event

While Charles III is already King, it will likely be many months before his coronation takes place. And when it does, the monarch has made it clear he wants it to be a far smaller, shorter and more economical one than the Queen's, which was around three hours long and cost an incredible $53 million in today's money.

But despite this, the ceremony will be as elaborate as it's been for 900 years and will require months of detailed planning.

A symbolic and religious event, its main purpose is for Charles to take his coronation oath, although he could still remain the King without one. It counts as a state occasion, meaning the British government can decide the guest list and will pay for the event, so the sovereign won't have to make excuses about not inviting certain royal relatives.