Celebrity guests including Emma Thompson, TVpresenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly (Ant & Dec), Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Judi Dench and Stephen Fry have arrived at Westminster Abbey for the king's coronation service.
Ant & Dec are attending in their capacity as goodwill ambassadors forthe Prince's Trust, a role they took up in 2021 after two decades working with the charity.
US singer Katy Perry, Australian musician Nick Cave, British Vogue's editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, BBC director-general Tim Davie,actress Joanna Lumley and US singer Lionel Richie, who will perform at the coronation concert on Sunday, were also in attendance.
Before the ceremony, Ant & Dec told "Good Morning Britain" it was an"honour and a privilege" to be invited to the event in central London.
McPartlin added that the Prince's Trust is the "best legacy" for the King to leave.
"He started the Prince's Trust with his Navy pension back in 1976 and since then, the Prince's Trust has grown every year and it's now worldwide," he said.
"We're just very proud to be part of it and we can see now first-hand how it does help young people in this country and around the world."
The duo entered the abbey just before 9 am (0800 GMT) in their morning suits, greeting other guests with waves and smiles. As the pair grinned and said hello to members of the congregation in the North Transept, they were welcomed with impromptu cheers.
Best known for hosting shows including "Saturday Night Takeaway,""I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!" and "Britain's Got Talent,"Ant & Dec have hosted the Prince's Trust Awards 10 times and recently collaborated with the charity on a course to make the media industry more accessible.
Oscar-winning actress Thompson, wearing a red floral jacket and herdamehood medal and insignia, was accompanied by her husband, actor Greg Wise.
Australian singer Nick Cave was in conversation with former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams as they arrived at the abbey.
Spice Girl Melanie Brown also spoke to ITV outside the abbey,recounting the girl group's famous encounter with Charles in 1997.She said: "I think because we were all so excited on the day we all just kind of freaked out a bit, and broke protocol, and I gave him a kiss and then Geri gave him a kiss and pinched his bum... we were just overwhelmed with excitement. I don't think I'd do that again though... we were all just too excited."
Stephen Fry told BBC News he was grateful to have been invited to the"thousand-year-old ceremony, so rooted in the history of our islands."
Other notable faces expected to be in the audience include David and Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney, Rowan Atkinson and Bear Grylls.Heads of state and kings and queens from across the globe, everyday heroes and family and friends of the royal couple are also on the guest list.--dpa
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