King’s Coronation: Who’s on the balcony? It’s not Harry
Charles has culled the balcony wavers to just 15 of the family | WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT?
Forget the lustrous invitation to Westminster Abbey, the real prize among the royals is just who gets to stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave to the masses below: their image captured in that historic Charlemagne era moment on May 6 alongside a newly coronated King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Californian-based outcasts Prince Harry and wife Meghan won’t be there, even if they do decide at the last moment to fly across the Atlantic and put in an appearance. So far they haven’t responded to the RSVP, which had a deadline of April 3, and it’s unclear if Harry may arrive on his own.
Courtiers have been compelled to draw up two lots of plans, one with the Sussexes in attendance and one without them, to prepare the logistics of arrivals, departures, cars and security arrangements.
Harry, as Duke of Sussex and a blood prince, would traditionally be compelled to touch King Charles’ knees, swear allegiance to “become your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship”, touch the crown and kiss the King’s right hand as a sign of loyalty during the coronation. But to avoid any awkwardness at this coronation, those honours are to be carried out by the heir to the throne, Prince William, on behalf of all the dukes and senior peers of the land.
Charles has decided the balcony wavers will be confined to just 15 of the royal family members to represent the slimmed down version of the monarchy he is particularly keen upon. His mother, Queen Elizabeth would often have 30 or more family members cram onto the balcony during major events like Trooping the Colour.
Balcony regulars under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, such as Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their families will be missing this time.
Also watching from afar will be other nieces and nephews like Zara and Mike Tindall, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn.
According to the Mirror, a palace aide said: “The King has been very clear who he wants to represent the monarchy. There is little room for sentiment, this is a State occasion, not a family occasion and it is right that only the working members of the family are there at the big public moment.”
Charles and Camilla will arrive at Buckingham Palace from the Abbey, travelling in the Gold State coach with those appearing on the balcony following behind. They will be escorted out of the abbey by Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, while nine year old Prince George will be one of Charles’ four page boys for the occasion.
The three children will join their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales as will the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie; Princess Anne and her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast.
In respect of the life time of royal service given by the Queen’s elderly cousins: the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra; the King has asked that they too come onto the balcony.
Other senior royals will be able to gain a prime vantage point of the flypast from the rear rooftop of Buckingham Palace, the same hidden away spot where many partied during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.
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