Prince Louis to have bigger role at coronation than Prince Harry and Prince Andrew
Prince Louis, who just turned five, will have more of a starring role at his grandfather King Charles III’s coronation than his uncle Harry.
Royals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The youngest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton will have more of a starring role in his grandfather King Charles III’s coronation than relatives Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.
As the Order of Service for the coronation was released today, Prince Louis – who only just celebrated his fifth birthday two weeks ago – will be front and centre of the ceremony alongside his siblings, Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 8.
As reported by The Sun, Prince Louis will take part in the Procession of The King and Queen, Camilla, from Westminster Abbey this evening, walking alongside big sister Charlotte in a ceremonial walk at the end of the two-hour ceremony.
Follow our live coverage of the coronation of King Charles III here >>
And during the ceremony, Louis – and the world – will look on as George becomes the youngest ever future king to have a major role at a coronation, appearing as one of the King’s Pages of Honour.
Later, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children will also ride and wave to the crowds in a regal carriage in the 2km Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace, with the family due to ride in the carriage behind the Gold State Coach of the King and Queen.
Upon arrival at Buckingham Palace, Louis will also make an appearance on the famous balcony with his parents and older siblings Charlotte and George.
It seems the children have been rehearsing their roles in the past week, with Kate giving well-wishers an update into their preparations when doing a walkabout in central London days ago.
“Having done a few, [rehearsals], I think everyone is a bit more relaxed,” she told the crowd.
Although Louis – whose cheeky antics stole the show at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 – has been included in the official coronation program, his parents will make the final decision if he will attend the ceremony in the hours beforehand.
But there’s no grey area when it comes to his uncle Prince Harry and relative Prince Andrew, King Charles’ brother. Neither will have a ceremonial role in the coronation, nor will they appear in the carriages or processions.
They will be seated among the royal family during the ceremony, which will feature a 2300-strong congregation. However, both Harry and Andrew have been relegated to the third row at Westminster Abbey, sitting far from the senior royals of the family, who will be in the front row.
“There were discussions that the seating could be arranged on line of succession,” a source told The Sun. “But that would have put fifth-in-line Harry front and centre – and with William and Kate.
“Instead the decision was working royals only at the front and work back from there. Harry will be a long way from his father.”
Originally published as Prince Louis to have bigger role at coronation than Prince Harry and Prince Andrew
How Meghan’s shocker of a year played out
She is the ultimate survivor, able to bounce back from most reputational disasters. But 2024 could well go down as the year Meghan Markle will want to forget.
Radiant royals attend Christmas Day celebrations
More than 40 royal family members attended traditional Christmas Day celebrations after a challenging 12 months, with one notable absence. See the photos.