Historians suggest 15th Earl of Loudoun should really be on the throne, instead of King Charles

While the Earl of Loudoun Simon Abney-Hastings has pledged his allegiance to King Charles, it‘s been said that his father Mike may have been a king in waiting.

The splendid kilt-clad figure who greets movers and shakers at Peter Janson’s soirees should be sitting on the throne instead of King Charles.

At least that’s the view of some historians who have traced the history of Simon Abney-Hastings, the 15th Earl of Loudoun, through the centuries.

Instead, Simon, as he likes to be known, is to present the Golden Spurs to Charles, who could be something of an usurper.

Nevertheless, Simon Abney-Hastings has professed his loyalty to Charles and will be at the coronation, which means he is unlikely to return in time for Captain Janson’s birthday party next month.

The captain, whose age remains as great a mystery as his friend Abney-Hasting’s line to the throne, has entertained a long line of aristocracy at his inner-city mansion.

Simon Abney-Hastings, Earl of Loudoun. Picture: Facebook

The captain revealed some years ago that Abney-Hasting’s father, Mike Abney-Hastings, the 14th Earl of Loudoun, might have been a king in waiting.

This followed a visit by Tony Robinson , who played Baldrick in Black Adder and who made the claims in a TV documentary.

King Mike, as he became known up in Wangaratta where he had been a jackaroo after emigrating at the age of 18, had one word for it all.

“Strewth!”

The Scottish title passed to his son when King Mike died in 2012.

Simon Abney-Hastings will present the Golden Spurs to King Charles, which are as much shrouded in tradition as the Orb and the Sceptre.

At least he will not have to buckle them on the sovereign as past Abney-Hastings have done.

Brushing them against King Charles’ feet will do.

The Golden Spurs are not the only link to Australia. King Charles and Queen Camilla, the much-maligned “third person” in Charles’ marriage to the Princess of Wales, will be taken through the streets in a gold carriage built in Australia.

Janson, who was once aide-de-camp to the King of Bhutan in his tiger days in India, will have much to talk about when Abney-Hastings returns from the coronation.

“I am delighted and sincerely honoured to accept the invitation by the Crown to perform the Bearer of the Great Golden Spurs role at the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6,” Abney-Hastings said.

What stories might spill from his sporran!