King Charles III has passed an historic role on to his heir, Prince William, at a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

The Prince of Wales was made Great Master of the Order of the Bath, a military order established exactly three hundred years ago.

The Order of the Bath was set up by King George I in the last years of his reign. It takes its name from the medieval tradition that saw new knights take a bath symbolising ritual purification and hold a vigil the night before they their honour.

Charles III had been Great Master of the Order as heir to the throne. On his accession, he became Sovereign of the Order and the role of Great Master passed to his heir, Prince William.

However, tradition dictates that the service for the Order of the Bath only takes place every four years and this is the first to be held since Charles III became King. It meant it was the first opportunity to formally invest the Prince of Wales was Great Master, the role that The King had held for so many years himself.

The King and the Prince of Wales were greeted at the West Door of Westminster Abbey. Their solemn procession through the church saw them passing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

As the ceremony began, King Charles and Prince William went into the Henry VII Lady Chapel for their Installation ceremonies.

They were joined at Westminster Abbey by members of the Order of the Bath who now are mostly made up of senior military officers and senior civil servants.

Following this historic ceremony, The King will attend every other Service of the Order of the Bath while the Prince of Wales, as heir, will attend all the services.