Distinguished guests from around the world are heading to London forKing CharlesandQueen Camilla’sroyal coronation.
2,000 attendees are expected to fill London’sWestminster Abbeyon May 6 for the crowning, which is notably more modest than the number of guests (8,251, to be exact) that attendedQueen Elizabeth’scoronationon June 2, 1953. The slimmer list makes theofficial coronation invitation— a colorful card featuring a hand-painted watercolor and gouache illustration — all the more exclusive, and guests from far and wide will make the trip for thehistoric event.
In addition to King Charles' immediate family,monarchs from several foreign countrieswill be in attendance for the ceremony — marking a change from past coronations, in which royals often sent heirs, consorts or other family members to represent them.
Among the royal houses set to make the trip are Denmark’sCrown Prince Frederikand Crown Princess Mary, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and Monaco’s Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, who previously told PEOPLE he was looking forward to the “once-in-a-lifetime” spectacle.
“You know I don’t know how many coronations of an English monarch I’ll see in my lifetime, so we’lltry to take advantage of that,” Prince Albert said of the festivities.
From the King and Queen Consort’s closest family members to royals from around the world, here’s a complete list of every guest expected to attend King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
Of course, King Charles' son and the heir to the throne, Prince William, will be in attendance for his father’s royal crowning.Kate Middletonwill join the Prince of Wales, likely along with their three children,Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis.
The three young royals are expected to participate in thecarriage ride back to Buckingham Palacefollowing the coronation, butPrince Georgewill also have an additional special role. The palace confirmed that the prince, who is as second in line to the throne, will serve as aPage of Honorat the crowning ceremony, marking thefirst time in modern royal historythat a future monarch officially participates in such a service.
As for William’s role in the festivities, the Prince of Wales will step forward andpledge his loyalty and allegiance to the Kingduring the ceremony.
Soon after King Charles is crowned, William will kneel in front of the King, place his hands between his father’s hands and recite the Homage of Royal Blood: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
The day after the ceremony, the Prince of Wales willmake a speech at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. The “heartfelt” address will praise King Charles as a man who had “devoted himself to duty and the causes he believed in.”
Prince Harry
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After a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that the couplehad received invitations to the coronationin early March, Buckingham Palace announced in April thatPrince Harrywould be in attendance.Meghan Markle, however, is staying behind in California with their two kids,Prince ArchieandPrincess Lilibet.
May 6 also marks Archie’s fourth birthday, and PEOPLE understands that Meghan will be celebrating the milestone with her children at home whilePrince Harryjoins his father for the crowning.
Though King Charles is happy to havePrince Harryat the coronation, things remained strained between his two sons.
“At this point,it’s become so personal,” a close friend recently told PEOPLE of the ongoing rift between Harry and the royal family. “Maybe what they wanted wasn’t achieved, but at the end of the day, he’s going there to support his dad.”
It’s expected that Harry won’t have an official role in the coronation and won’t take part in any ofthe other planned events, including a Buckingham Palace balcony appearance.
Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence
Princess Annewill support her brother during his crowning ceremony with a special role: the “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting.”
The Mirrorreported that the royal will hold the prestigious position during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s procession following the crowning ceremony. She will ride on horseback behind their carriage before leading 6,000 armed services personnel through the streets of London.
Her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, is also expected to attend the coronation, along with hertwo children,Peter PhillipsandZara Tindall.
Prince Andrew
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Though he isno longera working royal, King Charles' brotherPrince Andrewwill likely be in attendance for the historic event. His ex-wifeSarah Ferguson, however,did not receive an invitation.
“Because, remember, I am divorced from him,” she said of her relationship with ex-husband Prince Andrew. “I don’t expect — you can’t have it both ways. You can’t be divorced and then say, ‘I want this.‘You’re in or you’re out.”
Despite not attending the main event,Fergie will be presentat theCoronation Concert, PEOPLE previously confirmed. The post-coronation party — starringLionel RichieandKaty Perry— will be held on the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 7.
Prince Andrew and Fergie’s two daughters,Princess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie, are also expected to be present at the crowning.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Prince Edward will attend the crowning with his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.The couple’s children, Lady Louise and James, the Earl of Wessex (who recentlytook on his father’s former title), will also be present.
Queen Camilla’s Children and Grandchildren
Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of the big day, Tom said that the honor still hasn’t hit his son Freddy yet.
“I don’t think he knows quite how big it’s going to be, I don’tthink he has a sense of the occasion. He’s a 13-year-old boy who loves football,” Tom explained, adding, “We’re just there to support our mother.”
Andrew Parker Bowles
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Though Queen Camilla divorced her first husband,Andrew Parker Bowles, in 1995, the two have remained good friends and co-parents. Bowles will likely be present at Westminster Abbey for her crowning.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
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Crown Prince FrederikandCrown Princess Maryof Denmark will be making the trip to London for the event. While Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, attendedQueen Elizabeth’s funeral in September, she’s recovering from a recentback surgery.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
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Sweden’sKing Carl XVI Gustafwill be present at the coronation along with his eldest daughter and heir,Crown Princess Victoria.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
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Crown Prince Haakonand his wife,Crown Princess Mette-Marit, will represent Norway on May 6.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Monaco’sPrince AlbertandPrincess Charlenewill be seated at Westminster Abbey for the event. The prince previously told PEOPLE that he was looking forward to the coronation, saying, “I’m certain that it’s going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one.”
While Prince Albertpreviously suggestedthat the couple’s 8-year-old twins,Prince JacquesandPrincess Gabriella, might attend the London festivities, he’s since said they’ll stay at home — though he’s promised to return with a gift. “I’ll bring them any little ‘trinket’I can put my hands on,” he told PEOPLE.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain
Paolo Blocco/WireImage
Spain’s monarchKing Felipeis expected to be in attendance for King Charles’ crowning, along with his wifeQueen Letizia.
Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan
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While Japan’s Emperor Naruhito will not be present at the coronation, his brother andnext in line for the throne, Crown Prince Fumihito, will represent Japan, along with his wife Crown Princess Kiko.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
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Another foreign monarch in attendance will beBelgium’s King Philippe, along with his wife Queen Mathilde.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg
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Two of Luxembourg’s royals,Grand Duke Henriand Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, will travel to London to watch King Charles and Queen Camilla ascend the throne.
King Tuheitia and Makau Ariki Atawhai of Māori
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Māori’s King Tuheitia and his wife Makau Ariki Atawhai are heading to Westminster Abbey for the big day.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy
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First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
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Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons
Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons.Dan Kitwood/Getty Images; Nicholas Lyons Lord Mayor, City of London Twitter
Over 850 community and charity representatives
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One such attendee will include Reverend Matthew Price, who has been vicar ofGorleston’s Mary Magdalene churchsince 2018. After receiving a BEM in 2020 as a result of his work in the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Price was selected to attend the coronation — an honor he described to PEOPLE as “just extraordinary.”
The Rev Matthew Price with his invitation to the coronation.Diocese of Norwich
Claire Saunders, another BEM recipient who will be in attendance, talked with PEOPLE about how she’s prepping for the big day.
“I’ve found a really nice dress, and I’ve got my fascinator, booked my spray tan, booked my eyelashes — it’s all good!” she said.
Scottish fashion designer Nicole Christie, a participant in The Prince’s Foundation’s Modern Artisan training program,will wear one of her own designs to the coronation.
“It’s made of silk, so I really can’t have it rain! I’ve ordered the largest umbrella I could find, just in case!” Christie told PEOPLE. “It’s going to be an incredible moment to be in Westminster Abbey wearing an Ellipsis dress — I’m so honored.”
source: people.com
