The United Kingdom's royal family turns the page on a new chapter today with the coronation of King Charles III.
Charles ascended the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died last year. But the coronation Saturday is a religious ceremony that provides a more formal confirmation of his role as head of state and titular head of the Church of England.
The pomp, pageantry and symbolism of the occasion date to medieval times when English kings wielded great power. Charles says he wants to slim down the monarchy, and his coronation was planned accordingly. But it still will feature ornate regalia and be attended by heads of state and royals from other nations.
Photos: Britain's King Charles III through the years
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 1948 file photo, Britain's Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, holds her son, Prince Charles, at Buckingham Palace, following his christening. Seated at right is her grandmother Queen Mary, the mother of her father, King George VI, background. The Commonwealth of the U.K. was formed as Britain's former colonies gained their independence, and its first head was the queen's father, King George VI. (AP Photo, Pool, File)
FILE - In this July 18, 1949 file photo, Prince Charles, foreground left, the eight-month-old son of Princess Elizabeth of England, left, and his father Philip, poses for a photo, on the Windlesham Moor, their summer residence, in Ascot, England. (AP Photo, File)
Britain's Princess Elizabeth, nursing Prince Charles, waves at the crowd which gathered at Buckingham Palace, London, on Jan. 5, 1949, as they set off for Sandringham, Norfolk. The car was driven by Prince Philip, unseen, and Nurse Lightbody, Prince Charles nanny, sat in the back beside Princess Elizabeth. (AP Photo/Leslie Priest)
FILE - In this Aug. 1951 file photo, Princess Elizabeth stands with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne at the couple's London residence at Clarence House. (AP Photo/Eddie Worth, file)
Queen Elizabeth II, her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, wave from a balcony at Buckingham Palace in London on May 15, 1954 after arrival home for first time since they started commonwealth tour six months ago. (AP Photo)
Britain's Royal family sits on blanket on the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Scotland, Sept. 8, 1960, during current holiday. Prince Andrew, in lap of his father, Prince Philip, reaches for trinket presented by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne and Prince Charles try to catch the baby's attention. (AP Photo)
Prince Charles and Tricia Nixon lead the way to join guests at a White House formal supper-dance, July 17, 1970. Following are Princess Anne, left, and Julie (hidden) and David Eisenhower. (AP Photo/RH)
Queen Elizabeth II sits in the Chamber in Wellington, March 13, 1970, where she formally opened the Parliament. She sits between Prince Charles (left) and Prince Philip (right). The chamber is the former legislative chamber, used by the Upper House abolished in the early 1950's. (AP Photo)
Prince Charles of Great Britain greets a young tourist, left, during a tour around Universal Studios in Los Angeles, March 19, 1974, At right is tour guide Diane Bonney. Others are unidentified. The prince is spending several days in southern California while his ship is docked in San Diego. (AP Photo/Wally Fong)
Prince Charles and his bride-to-be, Lady Diana Spencer, driving down the course in an open carriage before Royal Ascot in England meeting on June 19, 1981. (AP Photo/Press Association)
Britain's Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer pose following the announcement of their engagement, Feb. 24, 1981. (AP Photo/Pool)
FILE - In this July 29, 1981 file photo, the carriage carrying the Prince and Princess of Wales passes along Trafalgar Square on its way from St. Paul's Cathedral to Buckingham Palace after the royal wedding in London. (AP Photo, file)
FILE - In this July 29, 1981 file photo, Britain's Prince Charles kisses his bride, Princess Diana, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London, after their wedding. (AP Photo, Pool, File)
Prince Charles looks at his beaming bride, the Princess of Wales, at the top of St. Paul’s steps after their marriage in London on July 29, 1981. (AP Photo/Press Association) UK Out
Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, with his wife Princess Diana, holds his newborn son Prince William as they leave St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, June 22, 1982. (AP Photo/Staff/John Redman)
Britain's Prince William, the 6-month old son of British Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, with his parents during a special picture call at Kensington Palace in London, England on Dec. 22, 1982. (AP Photo/David Caulkin)
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 1984 file photo, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana, leave St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, with their new baby son. Princess Diana carries new baby, Prince Harry who was born on Sept. 15. (AP Photo, File)
Prince Charles trying on a cowboy hat is shown with Mayor Frank Cooksey in Austin, TX on Thursday, Feb. 20, 1986. (AP Photo/John Keating)
Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana and their sons, Princes William, right, and Harry begin a cycle ride, June 1, 1989, around the island of Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles. The royal family was vacationing in the islands, located off the southwest tip of Britain. (AP Photo)
FILE - In this April 23, 1991 file photo, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana, laugh together during their visit to an iron ore mine near Carajas, Brazil. Producers of a new documentary, to be aired Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, about Princess Diana say it offers insight. Critics say it's nothing but exploitation. (AP Photo/Dave Caulkin, file)
FILE - In this Aug. 19, 1995 file photo, from left, Princess Diana, her sons Prince Harry and Prince William and Prince Charles, from left, watch a veteran's parade during the 50th anniversary of VJ Day commemorations in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - In this Saturday, June 28, 1997 file photo, Gov. Chris Patten, left, along with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, lean on the railing of the royal yacht Britannia while watching the Beating of the Retreat with Britain's Prince Charles, center, Robin Cook's wife, Margaret and Tung Chee-Hwa in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 5, 1997 file photo Britain's Prince Charles, right, accompanies his sons Prince William, left and Prince Harry after they arrived at Kensington Palace to view tributes left in memory of their mother Princess Diana in London. Prince Charles is sandwiched between generations, caught between his mother, a symbol of dignity and continuity who has reigned since 1952, and his two immensely popular sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who have along with their wives come to symbolize the future of the world’s best known monarchy. (AP Photo/David Brauchli, File)
Prince Charles, center, holds the Prince of Wales trophy Wednesday March 10, 1999, after a charity polo match play against Hurlingham Club at the Hurlingham Country Club in Buenos Aires. The Prince team won 9-7. Left to right are: Mariano Cabanillas, 1, Horacio Heguy, 2, Charles, and Eduardo Heguy, 3.(AP Photo/Alejandro Pagni)
Prince Charles (right) meets members of the pop group Steps (from left to right; Claire Richards, Faye Tozer and Lee Latchford Evans) after they performed on stage during the Party in the Park in aid of The Princes Trust in Hyde Park. (AP Photo/Stefan Rousseau/PA/POOL)
Britain's Prince Charles sips a drink during a chat with local leaders at the Basra palace in Iraq Sunday Feb. 8, 2004. The Prince of Wales met with local leaders and visited the Royal Regiment of Wales and the Parachute Regiment during his short visit to Iraq on Sunday. (AP Photo/Peter Andrews, Pool)
The Prince of Wales, centre, holds hands with ballerina Darcey Bussell on stage for the curtain call at the Royal Opera House's winter gala, in London, Monday Nov. 22, 2004. The fundraising event in Covent Garden, London, included performances by Royal Ballet principal dancer Bussell and artistes from the Royal Opera House. (AP Photo/ Ian Jones, Daily Telegraph, Pool)
Britain's Prince Charles, left, is embraced by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell as Lenny Kravitz and Lionel Richie, right, look on at the 'Party in the Park' sponsored by the Prince's Trust, in Hyde Park, London, Sunday July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant/Pool)
Britain's Prince William, right, touches a young cow watched by his father Prince Charles at Home Farm near Tetbury, Gloucester, west of England, Saturday May 29, 2004. Prince William and Prince Charles took part in this organised media opportunity, and in return the media will leave Prince William alone at his Scottish university. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Britain's Prince Charles and Jordan's Queen Rania look at painted eggs during a visit to the Ajloun Nature Reserve in Jordan, Thursday Oct. 28, 2004. (AP Photo/Matthew Fearn-pa)
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, walk towards a gala reception at the British Embassy in Washington late Thursday Nov. 3, 2005. Charles and Camilla are on an 8-day tour of the United States, the first foreign tour they have undertaken together since their marriage in April. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, POOL )
In this photo released by Clarence House in London, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, Britain's Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, stands with Camilla Parker Bowles at Birkhall, in Scotland, in January 2005, prior to them leaving for a Sunday church service. (AP Photo / Clarence House, Pool)
Britain's Prince Charles is welcomed with a shower of flower petals in Jaipur, India, Friday, March 31, 2006. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are on a six-day tour of India. (AP Photo)
Charles, Prince of Wales, left, receives the Global Environmental Citizen award from former Vice President Al Gore, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 at the Harvard Club in New York. The royal couple are on a weekend visit to the United States that focuses on youth development, urban renewal and environmental stewardship. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
Britain's Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles are greeted by a Park Ranger as they view the Liberty Bell Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, Pool)
Britain's Prince Charles visits emergency services personnel at Morpeth Fire Station, Morpeth, England, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, after a weekend of storms and flooding struck large areas of Wales and western and northern England. Hundreds of people were evacuated and 1,000 properties flooded in the worst-hit town of Morpeth. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell, WPA Pool)
From left, U.S. President Barack Obama, Britain's Prince Charles, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrive at the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur -Mer, near Caen, Western France, Saturday, June 6, 2009 to attend the 65th Anniversary of the D-day landings in Normandy. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall react as their car is attacked, in London, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. Angry protesters in London have attacked a car containing Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. An Associated Press photographer saw demonstrators kick the car in Regent Street, in the heart of London's shopping district. The car then sped off. Charles' office, Clarence House, confirmed that "their royal highnesses' car was attacked by protesters on the way to their engagement at the London Palladium this evening, but their royal highnesses are unharmed." (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Britain's Prince Harry, left, smiles as he receives his helicopter pilot's wings from his father, Prince Charles, at the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop, England, Friday May 7, 2010. The British Army has confirmed that Harry is to train as an Apache attack helicopter pilot.(AP Photo/Eddie Keogh, pool)
Britain's Prince Charles salutes, at the 9 Regiment Freedom Parade, in Boroughbridge, England, Friday, May 13, 2011. The Prince of Wales is Colonel in Chief, of the Army Air Corps, the soldiers from 9 Regiment Army Air Corps who have recently returned from Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Britain's Prince Charles, right, is introduced to people dressed as living topiary statues during his visit at the Ideal Home Show, in London, Friday, March 16, 2012. The Prince, who visited the show last year, formally opened the 17 day show, which is now in its 104th year and attracts over 270,000 visitors. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, pool)
Britain's Prince Charles, third right, listens to a Hindu priest during a visit to Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, India, Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are on a nine-day visit to India. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall hold oil lamps as they take part in a Hindu ritual at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of the River Ganges in Rishikesh, India, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. Charles and Camilla are on a nine day visit to India. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Britain's Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, are received by Hindu priests as they arrive to participate in a Hindu ritual at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of the River Ganges in Rishikesh, India, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. Charles and Camilla are on a nine day visit to India. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Britain's Prince Charles wears traditional Saudi uniform as he attends the traditional Saudi dancing best known as 'Arda', performed during Janadriya culture festival at Der'iya in Riyadh, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Charles arrived in Saudi Arabia on a private visit. (AP Photo/Fayez Nureldine, pool)
Britain's Prince Charles. left, shakes hands with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams at the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland, Tuesday May 19, 2015. Prince Charles has begun an official visit to Ireland featuring two new milestones of peacemaking: his first meeting with leaders of the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party, and his first trip to the fishing village where the Irish Republican Army killed his great-uncle 36 years ago. It is Charles’ third trip to the Irish Republic since the outlawed IRA called a 1994 cease-fire. (Brian Lawless/Pool photo via AP)
In this Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo Britain's Prince Charles tours the quake-struck town of Amatrice, central Italy. Wearing a hard hat, the prince of Wales was accompanied by the head of Italy's civil protection agency on a half-hour tour that took him to the town's medieval bell tower, which stopped at the hour of the August quake, surviving only to be toppled by the stronger shocks in October. (Italian Civil Protection Agency via AP)
Britain's Charles, Prince of Wales, left, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Prince Harry, right, attend a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the WWI Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France, Sunday, April 9, 2017. The commemorative ceremony at the memorial honors Canadian soldiers who were killed or wounded during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. (Philippe Huguen/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's Prince Charles speaks with local women at the Sarius Palmetum, Abuja Botanical Garden, on the third day of his visit to Nigeria, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Prince Charles says he won't interfere in the affairs of state when he becomes king. The heir to the throne told the BBC he is aware that being Prince of Wales and head of state are two different roles. (Pius Utomi Ekpei/Pool Photo via AP)
From left, Britain's Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Kate Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony in London, Saturday, June 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, with Prince Charles, delivers the Queen's Speech at the official State Opening of Parliament in London, Monday Oct. 14, 2019. (Victoria Jones/Pool via AP)
Britain's Prince Charles, center, signs a book as he visits the Mosque of Omar in Bethlehem, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
Britain's Prince Charles follows the coffin as it makes it's way past the Round Tower during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday April 17, 2021. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
Britain's Prince Charles cycles with representatives of the British Asian Trust at Highgrove in Gloucestershire before they embark on the charity's 'Palaces on Wheels' cycling event, in England, Thursday, June 10, 2021. (Arthur Edwards/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's Prince Charles, left, speaks to British actor Daniel Craig upon arrival for the World premiere of the new film from the James Bond franchise 'No Time To Die', in London, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's Prince Charles sits by the The Imperial State Crown in the House of Lords Chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament, in the Houses of Parliament, in London, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (Ben Stansall/Pool Photo via AP)
Prince Charles and Prince Louis attend the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace in London, Sunday, June 5, 2022, on the last of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The pageant will be a carnival procession up The Mall featuring giant puppets and celebrities that will depict key moments from the Queen Elizabeth II's seven decades on the throne. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
Britain's Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth II appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace in London, Sunday June 5, 2022, on the last of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla are on the way back to Buckingham Palace after his coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Britain's King Charles III, center, walks in the Coronation Procession after his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, his wife Brigitte Macron, right, Britain's King Charles III, center left, and Queen Camilla arrive for a state dinner, at the Chateau de Versailles, west of Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. King Charles III of the United Kingdom starts a three-day state visit to France on Wednesday meant to highlight the friendship between the two nations with great pomp, after the trip was postponed in March amid widespread demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's pension changes. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's King Charles, right, and Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, left, talk during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Apia, Samoa, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, Pool, File)
Britain's King Charles III, centre, with Prince William ,left, and Princess Anne attend the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool)
The Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Britain's King Charles III inspect the guard of honour in London, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool)
FILE - Britain's King Charles III meets broadcaster and biologist David Attenborough, left, as he attends the "Ocean with David Attenborough" film premiere in London, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool, File)
Britain's King Charles attends the South by SouthWest London (SXSW London), a culture, technology and creativity festival in Shoreditch, London, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
From the left, Britain's Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince Louis, Prince William, Prince George, Kate, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte, look up as they watch the flypast by the Red Arrows from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
King Charles and Queen Camilla walk down the steps of St George's Chapel after attending the Order of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool)
Britain's King Charles waves to the crowds as he and Queen Camilla arrive by carriage into the Parade Ring on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, traditionally called Ladies Day, at Ascot, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's King Charles III, Patron of the Royal British Legion, and Indian army veteran Yavar Abbas salute as they attend a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day in Alrewas, England, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)
Charles III: Key dates in the life of Britain’s new king
Nov. 14, 1948: Born on the royal estate at Sandringham, first child of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
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Feb. 6, 1952: Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II on the death of her father, King George VI.
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July 1, 1969: Formally invested as Prince of Wales.
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July 29, 1981: Marries Lady Diana Spencer.
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He become the first royal heir since 1660 to marry an English woman.
June 21, 1982: Birth of first son, William Arthur Philip Louis.
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Sept. 15, 1984: Birth of second son, Harry (Henry Charles Albert David).
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June 15, 1992: Andrew Morton’s book “Diana: Her True Story” is released.
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It says Charles has had a long-term affair with a married woman, Camilla Parker Bowles.
Dec. 9, 1992: He separates from Princess Diana.
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Aug. 28, 1996: Charles and Diana divorce.
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Aug. 31, 1997: Diana is killed in Paris automobile accident.
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Feb. 10, 2004: Charles announces his engagement to marry Camilla Parker Bowles.
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April 8, 2005: He marries Camilla in a civil ceremony.
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She takes title of Duchess of Cornwall.
April 29, 2011: His son, Prince William, is married to Kate Middleton.
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Dec. 2011: Hospitalized for treatment for a blocked coronary artery.
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June 2013: Admitted to the hospital for exploratory operation on his abdomen.
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July 22, 2013: Becomes grandfather for the first time with the birth of Prince George, William and Kate's oldest child.
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Two more children — Charlotte and Louis — follow for the couple.
May 19, 2018: His second son, Harry, marries American Meghan Markle.
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April 9, 2021: His father, Prince Philip, dies at 99.
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May 10, 2022: Charles stands in for Queen Elizabeth II for the first time during the state opening of Parliament.
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The queen had to pull out of the event citing mobility problems. The delegation of the role, one of the queen's most important duties, was seen by many as the clearest sign that a transition of the monarchy was underway.
Sept. 8, 2022: Becomes king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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