A who’s who of famous faces at the coronation

Celebrities including Ant and Dec, Dame Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry and Dame Judi Dench have all arrived to celebrate the King’s coronation.

More than 2,000 people have been invited to Westminster Abbey, including around 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe and everyday heroes.

Arriving bright and early, actor and comedian Stephen Fry was one of the first famous faces to arrive at the abbey.

Presenters Ant and Dec were full of smiles as they mingled in the abbey. They are currently hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, but have been invited in their capacity as goodwill ambassadors for the trust.

The Geordie duo have hosted the charity’s awards 10 times and are involved in a programme to make the media industry more accessible.

Actress Dame Emma Thompson, who is good friends with the King, arrived with her husband, actor Greg Wise, chatting to other guests as they took their seats.

Ultimate guide to the coronation: How to watch, timings and procession route

Dame Judi Dench wore a pale lilac ensemble and brimmed hat, Downton Abbey star Dame Maggie Smith wore blue, while singer Nick Cave wore a dark suit and tie.

Other famous guests include Dame Joanna Lumley, who will be commentating on the historic event for Sky News, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and director general of the BBC, Tim Davey.

David and Victoria Beckham are also expected to attend, as is magician Dynamo.

The King will be crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury during a coronation ceremony dating back centuries.

The King’s youngest son, Prince Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in March 2020 and moved to the US with his wife, Meghan, is also expected to attend.

The event is the military’s largest ceremonial operation since Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation, with 9,000 servicemen and women deployed and 7,000 of these performing ceremonial and supporting roles.