King Charles III formally crowned during an ancient ceremony | USA TODAY

King Charles III was formally crowned monarch of the United Kingdom, making him the first new monarch in 70 years.

RELATED: A guide to the royal coronation of the British monarch https://bit.ly/3LCejYl

Charles has already been king for several months. He immediately ascended the throne when Elizabeth died Sept. 8. But the deeply religious and regalia-heavy event is a more formal confirmation of his role as head of state and titular head of the Church of England and was intended to show the king’s authority was derived from God.

That said, there is no legal requirement for a coronation, and other European monarchies have done away with the ceremonies.

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