Prince Harry written out of formal coronation proceedings
King Charles’ coronation will take place with a weekend of festivities in May. But it’s unclear if the Sussexes – who have a diary clash – will attend.
Australians will be encouraged to party during the coronation of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla with a weekend of festivities in May. And scores of Australia’s famous names – Kylie Minogue and Hugh Jackman are known to be favourites of the King – are expected to come to London to be part of a big spectacular to celebrate the coronation – a formal anointment of authority that has been conducted at Westminster Abbey since 1066.
But it’s unclear if the fifth in line to the throne, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, both of whom are believed to be invited to attend, will travel to the coronation. After weeks of their highly damaging revelations in a documentary series and Harry’s memoirs where they accuse Charles of being emotionally repressed, and Queen Consort Camilla of being “highly dangerous”, it appears the couple may have a diary clash.
The coronation occurs on the fourth birthday of their son, Archie. Diplomatically Harry, who is the Duke of Sussex, along with other dukes, has been written out of the formal proceedings. Usually royal dukes pay homage to the new king by kneeling before him, touching the crown and kissing him on the cheek. But it is understood that only the heir to the throne, Prince William, will perform this homage to Charles.
Buckingham Palace has announced a three day “Coronation Weekend” between Saturday May 6 and Monday May 8 which starts with the formal proceedings of the coronation at Westminster Abbey on the Saturday, a big lunch where neighbourhoods and communities gather in the streets and parks for communal eating, and a televised Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on the Sunday.
Then on the Monday, the public, including Australians, will be encouraged to take part in the Big Help Out, working with volunteering organisations to support local areas.
The palace said in a statement: “Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, families and communities across the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Their Majesties are looking forward to marking the occasion with the public throughout 2023.’’
At the coronation – the first in seven decades since the late Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953 – the service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Palace said King Charles wants the service to reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry. During the ceremony, the King takes the coronation oath after which he sits in the 720-year-old King Edward’s chair to be “anointed, blessed and consecrated” by the Archbishop. He will receive the symbols of the crown, the orb and sceptres and will then wear the St Edward’s Crown.
Queen Consort Camilla is to be part of the coronation proceedings.
London is expected to be rammed with tourists to see their majesties arrive at Westminster Abbey in a procession down The Mall from Buckingham Palace, known as “The King’s Procession”.
After the service, Charles and Camilla will return to Buckingham Palace in a much larger ceremonial procession, known as the “Coronation Procession” and will be joined by other members of the royal family.
The royal family will appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
On the Sunday crowds will descend on Windsor Castle where a spectacular concert will feature “global music icons and contemporary stars”, a world class orchestra playing interpretations of musical favourites fronted by some of the world’s biggest entertainers alongside dancers.
A Coronation Choir will bring together singers from choirs around the country representing refugees, the National Health Service, the deaf and the LGBTQ+ community. Other choir singers from around the Commonwealth will appear in a “virtual choir”.
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