Kerry Parnell: Paddington Bear must be invited to King Charles’ coronation

The constant chatter about whether Harry and Meghan will attend King Charles’ coronation is all very well, but there’s one character who simply cannot miss out, writes Kerry Parnell.

Forget Prince Harry’s Coronation RSVP, the big question is: Is Paddington on the list?

This week, Buckingham Palace released the invitations for King Charles’ Coronation. The royal shindig is the most-anticipated event of the year — and possibly rest of the decade — as it’s unlikely we’ll see another huge royal occasion for years.

Admittedly, we’ve had several — it comes on the end of a flurry of them: two royal weddings in 2018 (Harry and Meghan’s, and Eugenie and Jack’s), two funerals (Prince Philip’s in 2021 and the Queen’s in 2022), and a Platinum Jubilee. Sounds like a Hugh Grant movie.

What it means, is the coronation will be the last chance for some time, for world leaders, dignitaries and royal rellies to adjust their crowns, grab their cloaks and parade in front of a global audience.

The ceremony, which takes place on May 6, in London’s Westminster Abbey, is currently the world’s hottest ticket, not least because Charles played a masterstroke with the invite list. He has slashed it, in the name of modesty and modernity, from the Queen’s 8000 guests, to 2000.

It means the palace didn’t have to ask taxpayers to fund the building of 6000 extra seats, like they did for the Queen in 1953, and it heavily cuts down the catering costs — a significant saving per head on the vol-au-vent index.

But the other outcome, is it makes the invitations much more desirable.

It’s party-throwing 101 – the smaller the guest list, the harder it is to get in, therefore the more people want to: even Joe Biden might regret giving up his (less than comfortable) seat to his wife Jill.

Will Paddington Bear score an invite to the coronation of King Charles? Picture: Supplied

As to who else has made the list, it’s likely Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark will attend, alongside other royalty including Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco (he was the first to publicly RSVP yes before the actual paper invites had been sent out, which was a bit keen), King Felipe VI and the stylish Queen Letizia of Spain. and many more.

PM Anthony Albanese is going, alongside Governor-General David Hurley and a delegate of “outstanding Australian citizens”. When they say outstanding, I’ve been looking out for the Buckingham Palace envelope, but I think I’m starting to annoy the postie.

As to family, well, the big question is of course, whether Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex will attend.

The Palace confirmed the Californian contingent has been invited and they’re working on the assumption they will be there, but it’s a tricky decision for Harry, as he’s faced with the dilemma of looking either like he’s forgiven his family, or the biggest party-pooper on the planet.

Finally, I will be fuming if one VIP didn’t make the final cut – Paddington Bear.

After taking tea at the Palace with the Queen last year and turning up big-time for her funeral, it would be rude for officials to leave him out and worthy of a very hard stare.

We know his schedule is clear — it was announced this week filming of Paddington 3 starts in July, meaning he has a definite window.

And he’s really no trouble — he even brings his own sandwiches.

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