What roles will Prince William, Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family have in the coronation?
It’s not long now until King Charles and Camilla Queen Consort are coronated in the first ceremony of its kind for 70 years.
The monarch will be crowned on Saturday, May 6, with the country set to unite in a weekend of celebration which will also include the star-filled coronation concert on Sunday, May 7, and an extra bank holiday for the UK on Monday, May 8.
While Charles and Camilla may be the centre of attention on the big day – with thousands expected to line the streets to watch the royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and back again – other members of the Royal Family will also have their part to play in proceedings.
Just what role will Prince William and other royals have at the ceremony? Here’s what you can expect to see…
Prince William
As the heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales will of course play a big part in the proceedings.
It’s been reported that William will kneel and pledge allegiance to his father as King during the ceremony, by touching the St Edward’s Crown and kissing his right cheek.
He is also set to be among family members who appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation, once the royal procession has returned from Westminster Abbey.
Kate Middleton
As the wife to the heir to the throne, Kate Middleton will likewise have a strong presence on coronation day, joining other family members in the royal procession to and from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
She’ll also join the others on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the service.
Kate is expected to travel to Westminster and back with children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – with all of them expected to play a part in proceedings as well as appearing in the procession.
Coronation of King Charles III latest
The historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will take place in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
For all the latest royal updates, visit Metro.co.uk's dedicated coronation page.
‘History suggests working royals will stand out,’ royal expert Tessa Dunlop has said of Kate’s role.
‘In 1953 the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret had her own coronation gown designed by Norman Hartnell, embroidered with roses and daisies and offset with a stunning Cartier tiara.
‘She travelled to the Abbey with the Queen Mother and they sat in a box overlooking proceedings with a four-year-old Prince Charles squashed between them.
‘A similar scenario for the Princess of Wales and her three children is likely.’
Prince Harry
Prince Harry has confirmed he will be attending the coronation alone, with Meghan Markle and children Archie and Lilibet remaining at home in California.
However, it’s not been confirmed whether there will be a specific role for the Duke of Sussex, with former royal butler Paul Burrell even going so far as to suggest that he may sit apart from other members of the royal family.
‘It is not a surprise, he is coming to show face. He is coming to put his foot in the door and he is coming because his father wants him to be there,’ Mr Burrell told GB News.
Prince George
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ oldest son will take on a page boy role at the coronation.
“Eight Pages of Honour have been chosen to attend Their Majesties during the Coronation Service,” read a post on the royal’s official Instagram account.
‘The Pages will form part of the procession through the Nave of Westminster Abbey.’
It has been reported that George will also help to carry Charles’ robes as he enters and leaves Westminster Abbey.
It follows reports in the Sunday Times that Kate was happy for her oldest son to participate in the ceremony as long as he is not the subject of ‘overwhelming scrutiny’.
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will not have specific roles, but it’s been reported they will take part in the royal procession, as well as appearing on the balcony with other royals.
Royal expert Jennie Bond has suggested that Charlotte may step up to the plate when it comes to keeping an eye on Prince Louis – who delighted the nation with his face-pulling antics at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
‘Maybe Catherine will have had a little quiet word with her daughter about keeping an eye on Prince Louis during the service,’ she told OK!
‘That Charlotte is a confident young girl and I think she will take it upon herself to make sure that Louis, as best as she can, is kept in check.’
Camilla’s grandchildren
Camilla’s grandchildren are also set to play an important part during the coronation service – as they will hold the canopy over her when she is anointed with holy oil.
The Queen Consort has five grandchildren – her son Tom Parker-Bowles has two children Lola, 15 and 13-year-old Freddy, while daughter Laura Lopes is mother toEliza, 15, and 13-year-old twins Gus and Louis.
Her grandsons will also join Prince George as Pages Of Honour.
The Queen Consort’s Pages of Honour will be Her Majesty’s grandsons, Master Gus and Master Louis Lopes and Master Freddy Parker Bowles, and Her Majesty’s great-nephew, Master Arthur Elliot,’ the Royal Family’s Instagram page has confirmed.
Other royal roles
Princess Anne, who regularly takes on the most royal engagements out of her family, will take her place on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the service, along with her husband, Sir Tim Laurence.
The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and wife Sophie, who spent much time with the Queen before her death, will also be waving to crowds.
Some lesser-known royals are also set to play their part with an appearance on the balcony – which it’s been reported will feature 15 ‘working royals’.
Others set to appear include The Duke of Kent, 87, and his sister Princess Alexandra, 86, who are cousins of the late Queen – as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
However, it’s not thought there will be a role for Prince Andrew, or his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who have appeared on the balcony at previous royal events.
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