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More than 2000 people, including Bahamian government officials, are expected to attend King Charles III’s coronation. Charles III and his wife Camilla will be crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London.

The service will begin at 11 am after the arrival of the king’s procession.

Here’s what we know about the royal affair:

What happens at a coronation?

This time, the coronation will be shorter and smaller when compared to the last coronation in 1953 when his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned.

King Charles will travel to Westminster Abbey in a relatively modern horse-drawn carriage which has electric windows and air conditioning. They will ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, first used in 2014, before returning in the Gold State Coach used in every coronation since the 1830s.

There are several stages to the service:

• The recognition: While standing beside the 700-year-old Coronation Chair, the monarch is presented to those gathered in the Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The congregation shouts “God Save the King!” and trumpets sound
• The oath: The sovereign swears to uphold the law and the Church of England
• The anointing: The King’s ceremonial robe is removed and he sits in the Coronation Chair. A gold cloth is held over the chair to conceal the King from view. The Archbishop of Canterbury anoints the King’s hands, breast and head with holy oil made according to a secret recipe, but known to contain ambergris, orange flowers, roses, jasmine and cinnamon. The oil created for Charles will not contain any ingredients derived from animals
• The investiture: The sovereign is presented with items including the Royal Orb, representing religious and moral authority; the Sceptre, representing power; and the Sovereign’s Sceptre, a rod of gold topped with a white enamelled dove, a symbol of justice and mercy. Finally, the Archbishop places St Edward’s Crown on the King’s head
• The enthronement and homage: The King leaves the Coronation Chair and moves to the throne. Peers kneel before the monarch to pay homage

The Queen will then be anointed in the same way and crowned.

The world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, marking the end of her 70 year reign.

As millions watched on television, thousands more traveled to London and Windsor for the state funeral and burial to honor the Queen in an hours-long service.

Flowers adorning the coffin were picked from Buckingham Palace. On the wreath, her eldest son King Charles III penned a note to his deceased mother, “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who delivered the eulogy said grief for the late queen was felt around the world. “She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.

“People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer.”

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who at times became emotional, followed the coffin as it was carried in a procession through London. Mourners lined the route, many seen weeping openly.

The Queen will be laid to rest at the King George VI Memorial Chapel alongside her husband Prince Charles who died last year.

She died on September 8 at the age of 96.

Photo credit: Sky News, The Guardian

When Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, her eldest son Charles succeeded the throne and became King. He will be officially known as King Charles III, while his wife Camilla will be known as Queen Consort.

Here are 10 things to know about the newest king:

1. King Charles II is 73 years old and was born at Buckingham Palace. At 3 years old, he was bestowed as heir to the throne and known as Prince of Wales when his mother Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne.
2. Charles served in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force after graduation from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
3. He married Princess Diana in 1981 who became known as the Princess of Wales. The couple had two sons: Prince William and Prince Harry. His controversial marriage to Diana became public and played out in the media, and he later revealed that he was never in love with Diana but was forced to marry. During the marriage, he had an affair with Camilla Bowles and the two later married after his relationship with Diana went awry.
4. Charles has five grandchildren who stand in line to the throne.
5. He embraces special projects of interest like farming, climate change, art and environmental conservation.
6. He wrote the book, “The Old Man of Lochnagar” in 1980, which has since been adapted into an animated film, ballet and music.
7. Prince Charles is known to express his personal opinions, veering into politics, unlike his mother who steered clear of expressing her political opinions.
8. He believes in sustainable living. “I can’t bear waste, including food waste. I’d much rather find another use. Which is why I’ve been going on for so long about the need for a circular economy, rather than a linear one where you just make, take and throw away which is a tragedy because inevitably we over-exploit natural resources that are rapidly depleting.”
9. He launched a sustainable fashion line in partnership with YOOX NET-A-PORTER to promote highend textile skills among young craftsmen. He said, “I have always believed in the ‘Buy once, buy well philosophy, so the  more I wear them, the more sustainable I hope I become.”
10. Charles now reigns as head of state of the UK and 14 countries including the Bahamas, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. He is also head of the Commonwealth, which is an association of 56 independent countries.

Photo credit: Nadav Kander