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King Charles waves to the crowds © Getty

King Charles' sweet gesture to Prince Archie during the coronation

Charles and Camilla were crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday

Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
May 7, 2023
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King Charles reportedly raised a glass to toast the fourth birthday of his grandson Prince Archie at a family gathering at Buckingham Palace on Saturday 6 May. 

The sweet gesture is thought to have been made at a private lunch after Charles and Camilla were crowned King and Queen at Westminster Abbey, the Mail has reported. 

WATCH: Prince Harry’s reaction to King Charles caught on camera at coronation

Following the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla embarked on their coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace, where they watched the flypast alongside senior members of the royal family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

priness eugenie jack booksbank and prince harry
Eugenie and Jack joked with Prince Harry at the ceremony

While the newly crowned royals went on to host a private lunch for members of their family following the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance, the Duke of Sussex made a swift exit when the service finished. Harry, who arrived in the UK on Friday, was immediately taken to Heathrow Airport and boarded a flight back to California, where his wife Meghan Markle and two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were celebrating their eldest's fourth birthday.

Meghan Markle cradles Archie as Harry looks on with love
Meghan stayed in America with their son Archie's fourth birthday

BEST PHOTOS: King Charles and Queen Camilla wave at adoring crowds

MORE: Who was on the Buckingham Palace balcony with King Charles and Queen Camilla?

Saturday's historic event marked the first time Harry was reunited with his family since the release of his explosive Netflix docuseries last December and tell-all memoir, Spare, published in January. 

The newly-crowned King and Queen made their balcony debut© Getty
The newly-crowned King and Queen made their balcony debut at Buckingham Palace

While the father-of-two visited the UK for a hearing at the High Court back in March, HELLO! previously reported that it was unlikely he saw his brother, Prince William, nor Princess Kate during his time back in Britain. At the time, the Prince and Princess of Wales were away for the Easter holidays with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. 

Prince Louis claps and waved as he views a flypast at Buckingham Palace© Getty
Senior members of the royal family waved to crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony

Harry, who donned a morning suit for the ceremony, was seated in the third row, alongside Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, and even shared a sweet moment with his aunt Princess Anne, who was sitting in the row in front. 

Prince Harry smiling at Princess Anne© Getty
Prince Harry was seated in the third row

He smiled at guests and looked in good spirits upon his arrival, walking into the Abbey along with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, and their husbands. Harry's reaction to the arrival of King Charles was also caught on camera.

MORE: Best photos from King Charles's coronation concert as royals watch star-studded performances

Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt, presenting the Sword of State, to King Charles III during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey© Getty
Penny presented the Sword of Offering, also known as the Sword of State, to King Charles during the ceremony

The historic ceremony saw King Charles and Queen Camilla anointed and crowned in front of 2,300 guests at the country's first coronation to be staged for 70 years.

King Charles and Queen Camilla exchange comforting looks© Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla exchanged comforting looks during the coronation

Starting at 11am, the ceremony included various stages before the Archbishop of Canterbury crowned the royal couple. Read about the full service and crowning, here.

During one special moment during the service, the Prince of Wales performed his ceremonial duties before his father. The King looked touched as his eldest son, Prince William, approached him after he was crowned, reciting: "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God." The father-of-three then bent down to kiss King Charles in an emotional moment.

Prince William kisses King Charles after being crowned© Getty
Prince William kisses King Charles after being crowned

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