King Charles coronation: Kate and Charlotte wear Alexander McQueen

Under his plush Order of the Garter robe – the same highly exclusive cape sported by his uncles – the Prince of Wales was wearing the Ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards.

Under her eye-catching blue and red cape with white ribbons, reflecting the colours of the Union flag, Kate wore an Alexander McQueen dress and headpiece – and daughter Charlotte was similarly outfitted by the designer.

Both dresses were of ivory silk crepe – Kate’s with silver bullion and thread work embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs, to signify the four nations of the United Kingdom. Their headpieces were of silver bullion, crystal and silver thread work.

Louis wore a blue doeskin tunic by Dege and Skinner while George, in his role as a page of honour, was in striking red.

Prince William also had a key role at the Coronation.

He pledged to be Charles’ “liege man of life and limb” – the only prince to do so, unlike previous coronations where a series of dukes would swear an oath of homage.

Body language expert Dr Louise Mahler said:” William spoke. It was short and sharp. William kissed his father and Charles smiled warmly and seemed to mutter ‘Thank you’. All the words in Spare seemed to fly to the wind in this moment.”

The change in tradition avoids the awkwardness of Harry and Andrew having to do the same.

Prince William, the monarch’s 40-year-old eldest son and heir took on Charles’ former mantle of the Prince of Wales after the late Queen’s death, stepping up into a more elevated role.

The prince and wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, are seen as the most popular royals. Although not born into royalty, 41-year-old Catherine in particular is seen as a standard-bearer for the modern House of Windsor.

The couple joined the rest of the royals in the congregation, at the front, as the service got underway.

As heir to the throne and a future king, Prince William watches a ceremony he will one day be at the centre of himself.

He is one of the only royal family members called on to pay homage to the King during the proceedings by placing his hands between the King’s and swearing allegiance, touching the crown and kissing the King’s left cheek.

William, as outlined in the liturgy of the service, kneels before his father about halfway through the ceremony.

Placing his hands between the King’s hands, the heir to the throne recites: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”

Called the Homage of Royal Blood, the “words of fealty” echo the vow made by his late grandfather Prince Philip to Queen Elizabeth in 1953 when he also vowed to be her “liege man of life and limb.”

William also makes as appearance as the Stole Royal as the Robe Royal is presented to the king. The Prince of Wales assists both the Baroness Merron and the bishops in placing the robe on King Charles.