The King was crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023
Credit: Jordan Peck/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- King Charles is marking the third anniversary of his coronation day
- His crowning ceremony in May 2023 blended modern elements with royal traditions
- The King’s sister, Princess Anne, attended a Royal Gun Salute in London to mark the milestone
Princess Anne is leading the way in commemorating the third anniversary of King Charles' historic coronation.
On May 6, the sovereign marked the third anniversary of his crowning ceremony, and his sister attended the Royal Gun Salute at Hyde Park in London, where a salute of 41 rounds was fired.
The Princess Royal, 75, arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, spoke to soldiers and watched the action from a platform.
Princess Anne is a Counsellor of State for her brother, meaning that she is one of a select few who can step in for him if he is abroad or unwell.
Nodding to that bond, her daughter, Zara Tindall, previously told PEOPLE that her mother and uncle are "very close."
Credit: Jordan Peck/Getty
Royal salutes were fired around the U.K. to mark the anniversary on Wednesday, including the Hyde Park event that Princess Anne attended, as well as at the Tower of London and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.
King Charles, 77, immediately acceded to the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, died in September 2022. He was then crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, in a ceremony that blended modern elements with rich royal rituals.
Credit: Jordan Peck/Getty
The King had a lifetime to prepare for the throne, as his mother became the monarch when he was 3 years old. Then-Prince Charles attended his mother's coronation in June 1953 and went on to support her as a working royal from the time he came of age until her death at age 96.
At 73, King Charles became the oldest heir in history to accede to the British throne when his mother died in her record 70th year of her reign. His coronation was held seven months after her death, on the birthday of his grandson, Prince Archie.
King Charles' wife then became known as Queen Camilla, fulfilling the late Queen Elizabeth's wish that her daughter-in-law would step into the role when her son acceded.
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Less than two years later, the royal family was rocked as Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that the King was undergoing treatment for cancer. The update came after the sovereign had treatment for a benign enlarged prostate that January; a spokesman clarified he does not have prostate cancer.
The King postponed public-facing work on doctor's advice for three months and resumed royal duties that spring, continuing with work since. In December 2025, he shared the "good news" that his treatment could be reduced this year.
Weeks after the palace announcement about the King's cancer diagnosis, his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton also shared that she was receiving cancer treatment. Princess Kate, 44, reduced her royal duties, completed chemotherapy treatment and said in January 2025 that she is in remission.
King Charles' coronation anniversary falls fresh off of his state visit to the United States with Queen Camilla, a trip they made to commemorate America's 250th anniversary.
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
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The couple visited the U.S. from April 27 to April 30 before the King continued on to Bermuda for his first visit as sovereign to a British Overseas Territory.
Highlights of the diplomatic trip included a ceremonial welcome with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House, a glitzy state dinner at the president's residence and a historic Congressional address by the King, where he reflected on the U.S. and U.K.'s shared history and urged politicians to bolster bilateral bonds for the sake of future generations.
King Charles is followed in the direct line of succession to the throne by his elder son, Prince William, 43, and grandson Prince George, 12.
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