Ministry of Defence photographer Graeme Main from Wrecclesham was on duty in London on Saturday to record these remarkably candid shots of military personnel getting ready to take part in the Coronation Day procession.

More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities including processions, fly pasts and gun salutes to mark the historic event – representing the UK Armed Forces' largest ceremonial operation for 70 years.

Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)
Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)

Graeme, 52, was stationed at Wellington Barracks on Saturday morning to record the final moments of service men and women before they left to accompany Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey.

A member of the Farnham Lions, Graeme was appointed an MBE in 2017 for services to military photography having documented every major deployment of the British Army since 2000.

Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)
Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)

Reflecting on Coronation Day, he said: "As a Ministry of Defence photographer, I had the privilege of being part of our Armed Forces media team that help capture images from the Coronation on Saturday.

"It gave me immense pride to be part of such a historic event. London had a real buzz too, and on the Friday night there was singing in the streets from people camping beside the railings as to secure an amazing view.

Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)
Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)

"On Coronation Day the heavens opened, but no amount of rain could dampen the spirits of the ground. As the King's carriage made its way down the Mall a wave of sound announced the arrival of the procession.

"People were straining their necks just to grab the first glimpse of the golden carriage.

Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)
Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)

"At the heart of the procession were the armed forces that stepped off with jaw-dropping procession and was just the most amazing sight.

"The scarlet tunics of the Guards shone in the rain, and I had an overwhelming sense of pride to be part of this amazing country, with so many special people in our armed forces yet again doing such a special job on behalf of the entire country on such an historic day.

Image of military personnel, seen here at Wellington Barracks in London, before taking part in the King's Coronation. The UK Armed Forces conduct their largest ceremonial operation for 70 years today (06/05/2023), and accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. More than 7,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators from across the UK and Commonwealth participated in ceremonial activities across processions, fly pasts and gun salutes marking the historic event. With around 200 personnel providing a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, together this made up the largest UK military ceremonial operation for 70 years. As well as marching detachments from across the Household Division, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, more than 400 troops from the Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories were on parade, representing the diversity and traditions of Armed Forces around the globe with connections to His Majesty The King. Foot Guards of the Household Division lined The Mall, the Royal Navy lined their spiritual home at Admiralty Arch, the Royal Marines at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Air Force Whitehall and Parliament Square.
(Graeme Main/UK MOD Crown copyright)

"I was so proud to be a small part in the team that delivered this spectacular day.

"The team's images are such a remarkable record of the day, and knowing that one day I may have grandchildren that will be asking about what happened on that day and being able to show the stunning pictures that we gathered is something I’m already looking forward to.

"God save the King!"