‘This has got to be a wind up!’: Ant and Dec are ‘cock-a-hoop’ and joke their invites were a prank as they lead celebrities Jay Blades, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson at Westminster Abbey for the King’s Coronation
- Hundreds of invited guests will be seated in Westminster Abbey by 9am
Celebrities Jay Blades, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson lead the guests arriving at Westminster Abbey for the King’s Coronation.
Stephen Fry was also among the first celebs to arrive at Abbey this morning for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Other celebs seen arriving include Lionel Richie, Nick Cave, Dynamo and popular TV duo Ant and Dec – who joked he initially thought their invite was a ‘wind up’.
They are among the hundreds of invited guests who must be seated inside the abbey by 9am – hours before the arrival of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
They will soon be joined by other famous faces including Amanda Holden.
Iconic singer Lionel Richie inside the Abbey ahead of the momentous service
Katy Perry dressed in a pastel, lilac coloured suit with cream stiletto heels and a statement hat
Jay Blades is among the hundreds of invited guests who must be seated inside the abbey by 9am
Stephen Fry (pictured) was among the first guests to arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning for the Coronation of King Charles III
Dame Emma Thompson DBE, British actress and screenwriter, gives a thumbs up as she arrives
TV duo Ant and Dec being interviewed outside – they are among the lucky guests
Dynamo and Kelly Jones arrive at Westminster Abbey dressed smartly in suits
Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave near Westminster Abbey this morning
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber seated inside looking at the programme
Andrea Leadsom arriving at Westminster Abbey, London, ahead of the coronation
QI Stephen Fry, 65, was one of the first famous guests to arrive this morning. He was pictured queueing to enter the church while donning a black blazer, cream double-breasted waistcoat, white shirt and purple tie.
As Ant and Dec joined soon after, Ant said: ‘It’s quite a privilege to be invited to a Coronation – a wonderful day.’
Dec added that it was ‘surreal’ and joked when he got the invite he thought it must be a ‘wind up’.
He laughed: ‘I thought surely it’s our time to be wound up – and this is it!
Hundreds of police officers, soldiers and coronation event staff could be seen on the roads close to Westminster Abbey.
Metropolitan Police and military police officers patrolled the route from Victoria to Westminster from the early hours on Saturday.
Royal fans with Union flags and crowns could be seen on trains and in tube stations from just after 4:30am.
Some were seen carrying tents, chairs and sleeping bags.
Lionel Richie inside the Abbey. The event has tight security and police
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is also one of the lucky invitees
Dame Emma Thompson gives the ‘peace’ sign as she poses for the cameras
Singer-songwriter Lionel Richie (centre) arriving this morning – he is seen among many staff working for the coronation
Guests for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla queue on Lambeth Bridge, London, ahead of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey
Metropolitan Police officers and Security employees gather on The Mall ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III
