King Charles and Queen Camilla have made a striking arrival at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls, stepping into a site rich with history, art, and royal connections.
Queen Camilla has swapped her earlier black dress for a crisp white outfit.
Named for St Paul, the apostle whose tomb lies beneath the altar, the basilica offers a journey through centuries of faith, architecture, and monarchy.
Inside, visitors are greeted by a gorgeous golden mosaic ceiling arching over an elaborately carved stone seat.
Adjacent to this, a special chair has been prepared for King Charles, adorned with his coat of arms and inscribed in Latin with Ut unum sint (“That they may be one.”)
The basilica’s ties to the English monarchy stretch back to pre-Reformation Saxon times, making the King’s visit a symbolic link between the past and present.
The specially crafted chair will remain in the church for future visits by Charles or his successors, serving as a lasting testament to the enduring connection between the British crown and this historic site.
Charles is now attending the Vespers service inside the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls.
Following the ceremony, the royal couple is set to meet the craftsman who created the King’s specially designed seat.
Afterwards, the couple will step outside the basilica to greet members of the public and local schoolchildren.