In an overwhelmingly lavish and expensive coronation ceremony this weekend, Charles was crowned King of England.
Unsurprisingly, the event has brought on much criticism of the extravagance given to the monarch, particularly during the cost of living crisis currently plaguing average citizens.
The coronation was chock full of notable events as well, with memes and absurd moments aplenty making the rounds online.
Here’s a quick recap of the most memorable incidents.
Coronation quiche
Even before the coronation began, King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s announcement of quiche as the official coronation dish was causing a stir.
The Socialist Party of the UK criticised the expensive choice of dish considering the nation’s current cost of living crisis and egg shortage that has spiked the price for the quiche’s main ingredient.
“While the rest of us struggle to afford lunch at all, with eggs in particular rocketing in price, an estimated £100 million will be spent on the coronation, according to the ‘Operation Golden Orb’ committee which is organising the circus,” the party wrote in a post on its website titled ‘Let them eat quiche!’.
In an article for The Conversation, Rachel Rich also points out the irony of Charles’ choice to feature a traditionally French food staple at the British spectacle.
Penny Mordaunt holding the sword
While eyes were intended to be on King Charles and Queen Camilla, many agreed that the sword bearer stole the show.
Conservative politician Penny Mordaunt was the first woman in history to take on the role of Lord President of the Privy Council, which required her to carry the-rather heavy 3.5 kilogram- Sword of State for most of the 2 hour ceremony and hand Charles the Jewelled Sword of Offering.
Mordaunt is considered a potential future prime minister of the United Kingdom.
King Louis’ facial expressions
All eyes were also on Prince Louis as there was anticipation for some of his signature facial expressions, like yawning and looking bored during formal proceedings– not too unexpected from a five-year-old.
Organisers were prepared, however, as Louis was given a break in the middle of the coronation to go spend some time with a nanny at Westminster Abbey. He still managed to give the public more than a few options for his antics to be turned into memes.
Katy Perry couldn’t find her seat
Singer Katy Perry was invited to sing at King Charles’ Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle alongside Lionel Richie and British boy band Take That.
Apparently there were many British artists who declined an invitation to perform at the coronation, but Charles and Perry have a pre-existing relationship involving Perry being recruited to sing to Charles’ plants– more on that strange story in this article from The Cut.
Anyway, most of the public simply couldn’t get over the moment before the ceremony began where a pink-clad Perry was spotted looking lost.
The Prince Harry situation
It’s no secret that Prince Harry showing up– or not showing up– was going to be an awkward situation for the Royal family considering his recent globally-devoured, tell-all book, Spare.
It was reported that many of the Royals are still fuming at the Prince’s spilled beans, with Prince William successfully making it through the coronation ceremony pretending his brother didn’t exist.
Harry wasn’t permitted to dress in his military uniform, was placed in the third row of the seating chart and pretty much booked it out of the ceremony as soon as possible– his flight back to LA left within the hour, according to Page Six. Harry’s son Archie’s 4th birthday celebrations were the same day.
The public booed Prince Andrew
Even though Prince Andrew has been accused of allegedly raping a minor, it seems he was still invited to the ceremony and allowed to wear his ceremonial robes. It’s reported that Charles sidelined Andrew from participating in the ceremonial events but the accused rapist was seen walking in through the main entrance of Westminster Abbey.
Crowds still booed Prince Andrew, however, as his state car drove down The Mall.
A poll showed Princess Diana still more popular than King Charles
And rounding out such an unusual and controversy-filled coronation ceremony was a YouGov poll showing that even 25 years after her death, Princess Diana is more popular than King Charles and the monarchy.