King Charles’ coronation ceremony on May 6 will be graced by the presence of foreign monarchs, marking a break from tradition. Monarchs from Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Japan, and more have confirmed their attendance at the ceremony, which will be held at Westminster Abbey in London.
Guest list includes foreign monarchs, marking a break from tradition
Representing Sweden will be King Carl XVI Gustaf and his eldest daughter, Crown Princess Victoria.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary will represent Denmark.
Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko will attend from Japan.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, as well as Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, will also be in attendance.
Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg have also confirmed their attendance.
Foreign monarchs’ attendance marks a change in past coronation guest lists.
Historically, foreign monarchs would usually send heirs, consorts, or other family members to represent them, and they did not attend the crowning ceremony of a British king or queen.
Prince Albert of Monaco is excited to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles with his wife, Princess Charlene.
He said he looks forward to the incredible and moving ceremony, adding that he has maintained contact with King Charles since he became King.
Prince Albert plans to bring back a present from London for his 8-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
The ceremony will be more modest than the Queen’s 70 years ago
King Charles’ ceremony will be more modest than his mother’s coronation 70 years ago.
About 2,000 guests are expected to attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, while 8,251 guests attended Queen Elizabeth’s ceremony.
The service has also been shortened to 60 minutes, which is a third of the Queen’s three-hour coronation in 1953.
Over 850 community and charity representatives have been invited to attend the coronation ceremony.
More than 450 British Empire Medallist (BEM) recipients will be present inside Westminster Abbey.
Over 400 young people, some representing charities chosen by King Charles and Queen Camilla, will have a “special private viewing” of the festivities from nearby St. Margaret’s Church.
Prince Harry will attend the ceremony, but Meghan Markle will not be present
Prince Harry, 38, will attend the coronation service to support his father at this significant moment in his life.
However, Meghan Markle, 41, will not be attending, as she will be celebrating her son Archie’s fourth birthday with him and her daughter Lilibet.
Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Harry will be accompanied by his wife for the celebration.
Prince George, who is second in line to the throne, will serve as a Page of Honor to his grandfather during the coronation church service.
The palace has also unveiled the official coronation invitation, and decorations featuring a graphic of King Charles wearing a crown are already up around London.