King's coronation: Moments that mirrored Queen Elizabeth II's ceremony

It is the first time Britain has crowned a monarch in almost 70 years - and a lot has changed in that time.

The nation was still emerging from the shadow of a devastating Second World War when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned following the sudden death of her father, King George VI.

The average price of a pint in 1953 was less than 10p (it's now £3.59), a house was around £1,300 (now £290,000) and the average salary was £10 a week (now £638).

And while the King brings the promise of a slimmed-down monarchy, his coronation remained a day filled with pageantry and tradition.

Watch and follow special coverage of the coronation

The build-up

Camping out in London is not unique to today - even in 1953, excited spectators were keen to glimpse the future monarch.

The service

Queen Elizabeth II's coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The prime minister, leaders of Commonwealth countries and representatives of public interests in Britain attended, with the number totalling 8,000.

However, the King's service was attended by a quarter of that number - around 2,300. Guests included world leaders, celebrities, UK politicians, foreign royalty, everyday heroes, and members of the Royal Family.

St Edward's Crown was used to crown Queen Elizabeth II - and the same one was used almost seven decades later in her son's service.

Though the husband of a reigning Queen, unlike a Queen Consort, is not crowned or anointed at the coronation ceremony, Prince Phillip was the first peer to "do homage" or pay his respects to the Queen, immediately after the Archbishops and Bishops.

In the King's coronation, the Queen was crowned alongside him and followed him out of Westminster Abbey.

The procession

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip were driven from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach - pulled by eight grey gelding horses.

But it is notoriously uncomfortable, and Queen Elizabeth II once described her journey to and from the coronation in the bumpy ride as "horrible".

This time around, the King and Queen only took one leg of their journey in the Gold State Coach. Instead, they arrived in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, created for Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate 60 years on the throne.

Although Queen Elizabeth II's coronation was a revolutionary moment for television, it was still a relatively rare technology in 1953. The coronation procession through London after the service was therefore designed so that the new monarch could be seen by as many people as possible.

The 4.5-mile route took the 16,000 participants two hours to complete. The procession itself stretched for just under two miles. Those on foot marched 10 abreast while those on horseback were six abreast.

The King and Queen took a shorter route (1.3 miles each way), meaning viewing spots along the procession were in high demand.

The balcony

In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walked out onto the balcony together to greet the crowds waiting below.

Almost 70 years later her son stepped out first with his wife of 18 years.

And like in 1953, they were joined shortly thereafter by members of the Royal Family.

The King was a grumpy four-year-old prince at his mother's coronation. The faces he pulled on the balcony mirrored that of his grandson, Prince Louis, who stole the show with his exuberant expressions.