At a time when the monarchy is attempting to maintain its relevance in a divided modern Britain, King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in a coronation ceremony rich with old ritual and glitz.

As Charles sat on the 700-year-old oak Coronation Chair, he was presented with an orb, a sword, and a sceptre, and had the solid gold, jewelled St. Edward’s Crown placed on his head in demonstrations of royal power straight out of the Middle Ages.

While the crowning is the centerpiece of the coronation, it is the only time during his reign that Charles will actually wear the solid gold crown.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon, joined by their spouses, entered the church in a procession of Commonwealth realms.

More than 2,000 people shouted “God save the king” as trumpets played within the medieval abbey.

Thousands of soldiers, hundreds of thousands of onlookers, and a few protesters gathered outside.