Crowds watch on from Manchester city centre as the next Royal chapter begins

Seventy years have passed since Manchester last watched a Coronation. For most of us, it's the first we've seen in our lives, and for some it will be the last.

So there was near-silence from visitors inside Manchester Cathedral as King Charles III entered an abbey 200 miles away. Young and old appeared frozen in their seats at times, as they took in the moment of history unfolding on the big screens before them.

People had been warmly greeted with a flag as they arrived at the historic building's entrance while red, white and blue bunting could be found inside. But this wasn't a party.

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The sound of the national anthem, God Save The King, was met with enthusiastic waving of flags inside the cathedral each time it was played out during the procession. A booklet was handed out to visitors with the words of hymns being sung during the ceremony.

An artist sat among the rows of spectators, sketching scenes from the day. As the ceremony began, eyes seemed glued, with each detail being etched into the memories of those watching.

In some ways, the scene from Manchester Cathedral was a snapshot of today's city. People of different ages, different races and different faiths had come together to witness history.

There were even moments where phones were raised to film scenes from the proceedings as they unfolded in the big screen, like when a band plays their biggest hit at Manchester Arena. The empty seats inside the cathedral perhaps also reflected Manchester's views on the pomp taking place, with slightly more than half the chairs taken.

Manchester's other big screens were at Piccadilly Gardens. Walking along Market Street to get there - at the same time