King Charles and royals greet well-wishers ahead of coronation

A man walks past a shop's display window in Durham, Britain, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Lee Smith

LONDON (Reuters) -King Charles greeted excited crowds gathering for his coronation before hosting a reception for world leaders at Buckingham Palace on Friday ahead of what will be the biggest ceremonial event in Britain for 70 years.

Charles, 74, and his wife Camilla will be crowned at London's Westminster Abbey in a glittering but solemn religious ceremony with traditions dating back some 1,000 years, followed by a procession, resplendent with pomp and pageantry.