KING Charles 3rd and Queen Camilla left Buckingham Palace at 10.20am this morning, before arriving at Westminster Abbey for the coronation service.

Heavy rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of visitors hoping to see the King and Queen on their way to Westminster Abbey.

Fans cheered Charles and Camilla as they travelled down the Mall, with many holding Union flag umbrellas and wearing waterproof ponchos.

All procession viewing areas along the route were filled to capacity and those who could not get in were encouraged to make their way towards Hyde Park where the coronation was being screened.

Martin Viney flew from Australia with his wife to watch the coronation and arrived on the Mall at 5am.

He said: “Historical things like this only happen once in a while.

“As soon as my wife and I heard the coronation was happening we booked flights.

“It’s an eye-opening event. It’s so different to any other event.”

People in a grandstand in front of Buckingham Palace erupted into cheers after an announcement that “coronation day is here”, at about 8.30am.

The stand has about 3,800 seats for veterans, NHS staff, social care workers and representatives of charitable organisations with links to the royal family.

Crowds standing on either side of the Mall burst into chants of “hip hip hooray”, and campers had been singing and chanting since Friday.

A Mexican wave started half way down the road, and Charles-themed £1 million notes were handed out to the crowd.

Our reporter, Megan O'Neill, is reporting live from outside Buckingham Palace.

Follow the live blog here.