Coronation planning in ‘complete chaos’ amid ‘very frantic’ last-minute changes

Alarming new details have emerged from behind palace walls, with a number of major issues wreaking havoc in the coronation planning.

Concerning new details about the latest plans for the King’s coronation have painted a picture of “complete chaos” behind the scenes.

According to the UK’s The Mirror, with just over three weeks to go, organisers are now in a “race against time” with major issues cropping up and wreaking havoc on the structure of the May 6 event.

The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort are crowned in the historic ceremony – which has been scaled back from a more than three-hour event to one which is supposed to run for a significantly shorter 90 minutes.

However, according to The Mirror, the one rehearsal which has so far taken place “overran significantly”, prompting fears audiences will begin to switch off.

“It’s all very frantic, complete chaos to be frank,” an insider told the publication.

“There is a plan, which is supposed to be the blueprint of how the day should operate, but things are changing daily which is causing massive headaches.”

Barriers and platforms are picture outside of Westminster Abbey in central London ahead of next month’s coronation. Picture: Isabel Infantes/AFP

However, another royal source eased concerns somewhat, telling The Mirror that while it will “go down to the wire”, there is “huge confidence” everything will go to plan on the day.

They added: “This is naturally a huge event and the important point is everyone is pulling in the right direction.

“The King and Queen Consort want it to be perfect as does everyone involved which is why everything is being done to make it so.”

The Mirror also reports that the King and Queen Consort have been practising their roles in a “mock-up Abbey” which has been built inside Buckingham Palace specifically for the occasion.

But the timing of the high-profile ceremony isn’t the only issue plaguing worried organisers.

Seating plans still unconfirmed due to Harry and Meghan

Seating plans for the event are yet to be arranged, reportedly largely due to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle having not yet confirmed their attendance. The RSVP cut-off date was April 3, and the King’s son and daughter-in-law have so far given no formal indication of whether or not they’ll be there.

“There have been lengthy discussions between the Sussexes and the Palace, there is a time crunch on this, of course,” a royal insider told Page Six recently.

“It’s such a historical event and it’s hoped that Harry and Meghan will be there.”

However, the final call ultimately rests with Harry, with a source telling the publication: “All families are difficult, but this is no normal family, of course. Harry has a lot of questions about how the event will work.”

Will they or won’t they? Picture: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

‘Real fears’ King will stumble

There are also concerns that the King may stumble in his ceremonial robes, which would be viewed by an estimated TV audience of around 100 million.

The Mirror claims that during one of his fittings, Charles remarked on the weight of the elaborate outfit, sparking “real fear” among aides that he may struggle to walk up to the Chairs of State, where he and Camilla will need to go after being crowned.

As a result, craftsmen were recently called in to erect a ramp to the chairs, which sit in the centre of Westminster Abbey.

The King will need to navigate his way around the Abbey in heavy robes. Picture: Jordan Pettitt/Pool/AFP

Prince Andrew’s fury

A decision over whether the disgraced Prince Andrew should be permitted to wear the grand velvet robes and insignia which accompany his role as a Knight of the Garter is yet to be made – which has reportedly left him furious.

The Duke of York stepped back from royal duties in 2020 after becoming embroiled in a sex abuse scandal, and last year paid a multimillion-dollar settlement to his accuser, Virginia Guiffre. He has denied any wrongdoing.

While Andrew is expected to attend the coronation itself, it’s understood that he will not hold a central role and may be ordered to wear a simple morning suit.

Royal women in tiaras

A source told The Mirror that despite months of notice, “indecision between the households” has led to conflict over what tiaras the royal women will be wearing on the day.

“Senior female royals were only informed of outfits this week prompting a rush to finalise fitting arrangements,” the insider said.

Kate is reportedly considering ditching her tiara for the big day. Picture: Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images

It follows a recent People magazine report that “while conversations around the decision” for Kate Middleton to wear a tiara or not are “ongoing”, the Princess of Wales will possibly forgo the headpiece in line with the King’s aim to modernise the historic event and create a more low-key atmosphere.

It’s understood that British parliamentarians have also been asked to dress in a less formal manner in keeping with this goal.

Coronation route squabbles

The British publication reports that the Saturday service will begin at 11am and finish at 12.45pm, with the King’s procession departing Westminster Abbey at 1pm and heading back to Buckingham Palace.

Earlier this week, the palace announced that the King and Queen Consort would be taking a shorter route to and from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey – about a third of the 7.2-kilometre procession undertaken by Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation day.

The Mirror claims that the King was keen to follow in his mother’s footsteps and journey through the streets of central London, but was persuaded otherwise by senior aides, who feared the security bill would appear “too elaborate” amid the backdrop of a soaring cost-of-living crisis.

“Everything should be planned to the minute and such overruns would be a disaster.

“The schedule from the program, the carriages, balcony appearance and the RAF fly-past is planned to the minute, so it’s all incredibly stressful,” the source said.

“If the service is too long, or too complicated, the television audience will turn off and that could be devastating.

Originally published as Coronation planning in ‘complete chaos’ amid ‘very frantic’ last-minute changes