Anthony Albanese hand-picks ‘outstanding’ Australians to attend King Charles’ coronation
A number of Australians chosen by Anthony Albanese will attend King Charles’ historic coronation, it’s been revealed.
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Anthony Albanese has hand-picked a number of “outstanding citizens” to represent Australia for the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
The prime minister announced on Thursday that he will attend the historic event in London with Governor-General David Hurley and all of the state governors, as well as a number of other notable Australians, most of which are based in the UK.
In the only hint to who the others may be, Mr Albanese said a holder of the Victoria Cross and the Cross of Valour will attend, along with a representative of the Australia Defence Force. State governors will also attend.
“Outstanding citizens have been chosen to show the world the best of our values, caring for others, serving communities and championing progress,” Mr Albanese told parliament.
“And I note that the palace requested in particular that there be significant representation from indigenous Australians as part of the coronation.”
The coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey in London, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will feature “longstanding traditions and pageantry”.
However, the ceremony will be shorter and smaller compared to late-Queen Elizabeth II’s, with a wider range of faiths, cultures and communities represented.
Ancient customs like the monarch being presented with several golden objects including spurs, bracelets and a robe will also likely be scrapped, and the guest list will be downsized to just 2000 people.
CHARLES PAYS TRIBUTE TO QUEEN
Meanwhile, King Charles marked the late Queen’s “pivotal” role in reconciling the UK and Germany during his speech in Berlin.
According to a report in The Sun, King Charles became the first member of the British royal family to make a speech to a live session of the German parliament on Thursday local time.
He said Britain’s “friendship” with Germany “meant so much to my beloved mother, the late Queen, who often spoke of the 15 official visits she made to Germany” following World War II.
The first of the Queen’s state visits came in 1967 “when our continent was still deeply scarred by war and the trauma of conflict,” he said.
He added: “Hers was the wartime generation, and like my father, The Queen had served in uniform.
“That my parents’ 11-day tour of Germany should prove to be a pivotal moment in the reconciliation between our nations was, therefore, a matter of great personal significance to them both.”
He added: “My mother understood the immense achievement that reconciliation represented, and in returning to Germany time and again, she was determined to play her own part.
“It is, perhaps, for this reason that Her late Majesty won a particular place in the affection of the German people.”
King Charles switched seamlessly between English and German inside the Reichstag, earning him a standing ovation.
“Germany is the only nation in the world with which the UK is such a joint unit,” he said in German.
Of the Ukraine war, the King said “countless lives have been destroyed”.
He added: “The unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has inflicted the most unimaginable suffering on so many innocent people.
“Countless lives have been destroyed, freedom and human dignity have been trampled in the most brutal way [and] the security of Europe has been threatened”.
During lighter moments the parliament chuckled as King Charles praised Germany’s night-life.
He got another laugh when he said: “Over the last 50 years we have laughed both at each other and with each other.”
CAMILLA’S SECRET TRIBUTE TO QUEEN
Camilla, Queen Consort, has dazzled onlookers by wearing the late Queen’s diamond necklace at a state banquet to honour King Charles’s first official visit as monarch to Germany.
The Queen Consort also wore the glittering honeycomb Boucheron diamond tiara, a favourite of the late Queen Mother that was also worn by Queen Elizabeth.
She wore a striking black evening dress with dazzling silver embroidery by one of her favourite designers, Bruce Oldfield.
The Queen Consort wore the Grand Cross (Special Class) of the Federal Order of Merit, given to her during her visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
She also wore the Order of the Garter and the historic Queen’s Order pinned to her dress, which features a portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth framed by diamonds.
The Order also features a Tudor Crown in diamonds and red enamel.
The watered silk ribbon is chartreuse yellow and formed into a bow. It is worn pinned to the dress of the recipient on the left shoulder.
King Charles wore the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 1st class sash, which he was presented with by the German President.
He also sported the Diamond Order of the Bath Neck Order and miniature medals.
King Charles hailed Britain and Germany’s commitment to Ukraine as he and the Queen Consort attended the event, at Belleuvue Palace, the official residence of the German President in Berlin.
He said: “We stand together with Ukraine in defence of freedom and sovereignty in the face of unprovoked aggression.”
The King gave a warm and witty speech recalling memories of beer halls and Bavarian sausages.
He said he and his wife had already been “deeply touched by the warmth of the welcome that has been extended to us in Germany – just as we have on each of our previous visits to this very special country.”
The King’s trip to Germany is his first global state visit since his accession to the throne.
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Originally published as Anthony Albanese hand-picks ‘outstanding’ Australians to attend King Charles’ coronation
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