Charles III crowned king in London's Westminster Abby in first coronation in 70 years

King Charles III was crowned king of Britain and Northern Ireland on Saturday in London in the royal church Westminster Abbey. 

More than 2,000 guests, thousands of troops and tens of thousands of spectators have turned out for the historic event that began at about 5:30 a.m. ET time after Charles traveled from Buckingham Palace in a gilt-trimmed, horse-drawn carriage to the church.

The ceremony in which Charles will be crowned is built on ancient traditions and filled with pomp and pageantry – including magnificent hats and the signing of "God Save the King" inside the abbey and in the streets outside, according to the Associated Press.

Among those in attendance are first Lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and eight current and former British prime ministers.

Thousands of people from across the United Kingdom around the world camped overnight along the 1.3-mile route from the palace to the church, amid intermittent rain.

There were some protesters along the route, the wire service also reports.