Coronation news – latest: King Charles and Queen Camilla route and carriage details revealed
Buckingham Palace has unveiled official plans for the coronation, ahead of the ceremony on 6 May.
The procession route has been revealed and will be noticeably different from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation day in 1953.
In comparison to his mother, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s procession is set to stretch just 1.3 miles, a quarter of the length of Elizabeth’s.
It has also been confirmed that Queen Camilla will use an ivory sceptre during the ceremony, despite reports suggesting it might be avoided.
Meanwhile, the first emoji has been created for a British coronation. The colourful cartoon motif depicts the 17th century jewelled solid gold St Edward’s Crown with purple velvet cap – the regalia which will be used to crown the King next month.
To mark the Easter weekend, Prince George and Prince William attended an Aston Villa football match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (8 April) and delighted fans with their identical reactions.
Royals news - latest updates
King Charles’ coronation balcony appearance to include ‘working royals only’
Queen Camilla will hold ivory sceptre during coronation ceremony
Camilla Queen Consort to be crowned Queen Camilla at coronation
Prince George will have special role in King Charles’ coronation
Queen Camilla will hold ivory sceptre during coronation ceremony
09:43 , Ellie Muir
Queen Camilla will use an ivory sceptre during her and King Charles III’s coronation ceremony in May, despite reports suggesting it might be avoided.
The ceremony traditionally features deeply symbolic objects that represent the royal duties and responsibilities of the new monarch and his wife.
It is understood that Camilla will hold a gold sceptre surmounted by a cross and a second staff made of ivory and topped by a dove during the coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
The ivory sceptre, which has been used by every Queen Consort at previous coronations since 1685, is part of the crown jewels and regalia held in trust by the monarch for the nation.
Read the full story below:
Queen Camilla will hold ivory sceptre during coronation ceremony
Camilla to be crowned Queen at coronation next month, King Charles confirms
Thursday 6 April 2023 21:00 , Kate Ng
Queen Consort Camilla will officially be named Queen Camilla at King Charles III’s coronation next month.
The newly-released invitations for the British monarch’s forthcoming coronation revealed Camilla Parker-Bowles’ new title. She was referred to as Queen Consort following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year.
Meredith Clark has the story:
Camilla to be crowned Queen at coronation next month, King Charles confirms
Who is attending King Charles’ coronation?
Thursday 6 April 2023 20:30 , Kate Ng
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at their coronation on Saturday 6 May. The couple will be joined by hundreds of guests at Westminster Abbey, including senior members of the royal family, politicians and celebrities. The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the ceremony.
While the venue can seat up to 2,200 guests, it is unknown how many invites Buckingham Palace has sent out, and many attendees won’t be confirmed until the actual day of the event.
Here’s who we think might make the list:
All of the celebrities and royals attending King Charles’ coronation
Sarah Ferguson ‘doesn’t know’ how King Charles is coping ahead of coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 20:00 , Kate Ng
Sarah Ferguson has admitted she doesn’t know how King Charles III is coping with his new role as monarch.
In an interview with The Independent, published on Wednesday 5 April, the Duchess of York, 63, shared her thoughts on King Charles’s reign.
Sarah Ferguson ‘doesn’t know’ how King Charles is coping ahead of coronation
William, Prince of Wales: A timeline of the heir’s life ahead of King Charles’s coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 19:30 , Kate Ng
As the coronation draws closer, many may be wanting to know more about the Prince of Wales, who will be present as his father is crowned King.
Ellie Muir tells you everything you need to know about Prince William:
A timeline of Prince William’s life ahead of King Charles’s coronation
Jill Biden to attend King Charles’ coronation without president
Thursday 6 April 2023 19:00 , Kate Ng
Joe Biden has revealed that he will not be attending King Charles III’s coronation and that his wife Jill Biden will be going without him.
The White House confirmed in a readout of Biden’s call with the King, shared on 4 April, that the first lady will be going to the coronation in May to represent the US.
Amber Raiken reports:
Jill Biden to attend King Charles’ coronation without president
Harry and Meghan ‘to confirm coronation plans soon’ following Biden decision
Thursday 6 April 2023 18:30 , Kate Ng
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will soon make their decision about attending the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, it has been reported.
With only a month to go before the coronation ceremony takes place in Westminster Abbey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing a “time crunch” to confirm their attendance.
Get the full story:
Harry and Meghan ‘to confirm coronation plans soon’ following Biden decision
Sarah Ferguson says royals ‘can’t have it both ways’ if they choose to leave
Thursday 6 April 2023 18:00 , Kate Ng
The Duchess of York has said that members of the royal family who choose to leave the fold “can’t sit on the fence” and must decide whether they want to be “in or out”.
Her comments come amid ongoing tensions between the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have repeatedly aired their grievances over Buckingham Palace’s relationship with the tabloid press since they stepped down as senior royals in 2020.
Read her comments below:
Sarah Ferguson says royals ‘can’t have it both ways’ after Meghan and Harry exit
Artist who painted invitation for King’s coronation ‘sworn to secrecy’
Thursday 6 April 2023 17:30 , Kate Ng
The artist who painted the invitation for King Charles III’s coronation has revealed that he was sworn to secrecy as he made the design.
Andrew Jamieson, 61, didn’t even tell his mother or children that he had been chosen to create the artwork for the reported 2,000 guests who will arrive at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
Ellie Muir reports:
Artist who painted invitation for King Charles III’s coronation ‘sworn to secrecy’
Prince George will have special role in King Charles’ coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 17:00 , Kate Ng
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation, with the monarch’s nine-year-old grandson Prince George expected to take on one of the official roles.
On Tuesday 4 April, Buckingham Palace announced that George, who is second-in-line to the throne and the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, would join three other pages for the King.
Find out more:
The special role Prince George will have in King Charles’ coronation
Prince Harry set to give evidence in court case against Mirror newspaper publisher
Thursday 6 April 2023 16:30 , Kate Ng
The Duke of Sussex is to return to the High Court in London in June to give evidence in his claim against a tabloid newspaper publisher over phone-hacking allegations.
Harry is one of a number of high-profile figures bringing damages claims against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering at its titles.
Read more:
Prince Harry set to give evidence in court case against Mirror newspaper publisher
White House says Biden’s decision to skip King Charles’s coronation is not a snub
Thursday 6 April 2023 16:00 , Kate Ng
The White House has defended President Joe Biden’s decision not to attend the coronation of King Charles III next month after it was announced First Lady Jill Biden would be attending “on behalf of the United States”.
On 5 April, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Mr Biden’s decision as head of state not to attend the upcoming coronation of the King and Queen on 6 May during a press conference, and whether it would be construed as a “snub”.
Chelsea Ritschel reports:
White House says Biden’s decision to skip King Charles’s coronation is not a snub
IN PICTURES: King Charles and Queen Camilla step out for Maundy Thursday
Thursday 6 April 2023 15:38 , Kate Ng
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were out and about on Thursday morning (6 April) as they attended a church service for Maundy Thursday at York Minster.
The royal couple, who are exactly a month away from their coronation, also distributed Maundy Money to select members of the community.
Queen Camilla appears in public for first time since title change
Thursday 6 April 2023 14:26 , Kate Ng
Queen Camilla has made her first public appearance since her title was confirmed as Queen, instead of Queen Consort.
She attended the Royal Maundy Service at York Minster on Thursday morning (6 April) and accompanied King Charles III as he distributed Maundy Money for the first time as Britain’s new monarch.
Queen Camilla appears in public for first time since title change
King Charles’ coronation balcony appearance to include ‘working royals only’
Thursday 6 April 2023 14:00 , Ellie Muir
On Saturday 6 May, after King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the monarch will appear on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony to wave at the crowds.
In the past, the royal balcony appearances have featured many members of the royal family as the late Queen Elizabeth II would often have her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren joining her.
But as King Charles has long been an advocate of a slimmed-down monarchy and it is understood that, as he commences his reign, the balcony will hold a much smaller number of royals.
It has been reported that only working members of the royal family will appear on the balcony on the day of the coronation.
Read the full story below:
King Charles’ coronation balcony appearance to include ‘working royals only’
Take a closer look at the coronation invitations
Thursday 6 April 2023 13:30 , Ellie Muir
Take a closer look at the coronation invitations below:
New photograph of the King and Queen Consort released ahead of coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 13:00 , Ellie Muir
Maundy Thursday 2023: What is the meaning of the Christian holy day?
Thursday 6 April 2023 12:30 , Ellie Muir
Following the arrival of Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week, Christians around the world will prepare to celebrate Easter weekend.
Before Good Friday, there is another significant date that is observed on the Christian calendar: Maundy Thursday.
While the day may not warrant a day off work, it is still a crucial occasion for those that observe Christian teachings in Western and Orthodox churches.
In the UK, the late Queen Elizabeth II would usually give Maundy money to pensioners as an act of charity and to mark the occasion.
This year, King Charles will present 74 men and 74 women, with the number chosen to signify his age, with a Maundy gift.
What is the meaning of Maundy Thursday?
The fascinating history behind the throne King Charles will sit on at his coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 12:00 , Ellie Muir
During the crowning and anointing parts of the coronation ceremony, which are said to be the most sacred parts, King Charles will sit upon the 700-year-old Coronation Chair.
The throne has been at the centre of English coronations since it was made by order of King Edward I between 1300 and 1301. Westminster Abbey, where it is located, describes the chair as “one of the most precious and famous pieces of furniture in the world”.
Read the full story below:
The fascinating history behind the throne King Charles will sit on at his coronation
King Charles III ‘to break from tradition’ with specific outfit choice for coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 11:30 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III has been advised to wear an outfit for his coronation that goes against previous royal tradition, according to reports.
The monarch acceded to the throne upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.
His coronation is set to take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May, in an event that has been teased to “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry”.
In previous ceremonies, the King or Queen has traditionally worn silk stockings and breeches. However, recent reports have claimed that King Charles will opt to wear his military uniform instead.
Read the full story below:
King Charles III ‘to break from tradition’ with coronation outfit choice
Artist who painted invitation for King’s coronation ‘sworn to secrecy’
Thursday 6 April 2023 11:00 , Ellie Muir
The artist who painted the invitation for King Charles III’s coronation has revealed that he was sworn to secrecy as he made the design.
Andrew Jamieson, 61, didn’t even tell his mother or children that he had been chosen to create the artwork for the reported 2,000 guests who will arrive at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
His design, which was revealed to the public on Tuesday night (4 April), was painted in watercolour and gouache and recalls the coronation emblem, accompanied by illustrations of wildflowers. The artwork will be printed on recycled card with gold foil detailing.
Artist who painted invitation for King Charles III’s coronation ‘sworn to secrecy’
‘No one can break the York family’: Sarah Ferguson on Andrew, Diana and Prince Harry, and her new Mills & Boon whodunit
Thursday 6 April 2023 10:20 , Ellie Muir
The Duchess of York talks to Charlotte Cripps about feeling broken, living through her heroines and plastic surgery
Sarah Ferguson on Andrew, Harry and her new Mills & Boon whodunit
The ancient symbolism behind King Charles’s coronation invite design
Thursday 6 April 2023 09:50 , Ellie Muir
The ancient symbolism behind King Charles’s coronation invite design
Sarah Ferguson ‘doesn’t know’ how King Charles is coping ahead of coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 09:20 , Ellie Muir
Sarah Ferguson has admitted she doesn’t know how King Charles III is coping with his new role as monarch.
In an interview with The Independent, published on Wednesday 5 April, the Duchess of York, 63, shared her thoughts on King Charles’s reign.
“I don’t know how he’s managing. I really don’t,” she said, addressing Charles’s workload ahead of the coronation on 6 May.
“We used to go skiing together,” she said. “And I honestly have no idea how he’s managing with the amount of paperwork and all the overwhelming things he must have to deal with.”
Her comments come after King Charles reportedly asked Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle to vacate their property at Frogmore Cottage and offered it to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, instead.
Sarah Ferguson ‘doesn’t know’ how King Charles is coping ahead of coronation
Coronation invitations confirm Camilla to be crowned Queen next month
Thursday 6 April 2023 08:50 , Ellie Muir
Queen Consort Camilla will officially be named Queen Camilla at King Charles III’s coronation next month.
The newly-released invitations for the British monarch’s forthcoming coronation revealed Camilla Parker-Bowles’ new title. She was referred to as Queen Consort following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year.
Read the full story below:
King Charles III confirms what Camilla will be called in coronation invitations
King Charles’s new decision could rule Harry, Meghan and Andrew out of balcony appearance at coronation
Thursday 6 April 2023 07:50 , Ellie Muir
A coronation “rule” could see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Duke of York, snubbed from an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony with other members of the royal family.
In keeping with plans for a “slimmed-down” ceremony, King Charles III has reportedly decided that he will appear only with working members of the royal family, those he is closest to.
According to The Mirror, plans for the balcony appearance will involve a “select few royals” who have “dedicated their lives to public service”, while also showing “the heartbeat and future of his family”.
Sarah Ferguson on Andrew, Diana and Prince Harry, and her new Mills & Boon whodunit
Wednesday 5 April 2023 18:00 , Roisin O'Connor
Hello, do you like the background? Is it too bright, or not bright enough?” Sarah, the Duchess of York asks excitably. “Are you happy with the windows, or do you want me to close the curtains?” The duchess, who was affectionately nicknamed Fergie when she married into the royal family in 1986, is sitting in the study at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, her ex-husband Prince Andrew’s residence. It’s a home she has shared with the Duke of York on and off for many years, despite the fact they separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, but it’s a sprawling pad that she clearly doesn’t call home sweet home, any more than she does the Mayfair mews she bought last year. For years now, she has lived a peripatetic, transatlantic life between the US and the UK.
Read the full interview with the Duchess of York:
Sarah Ferguson on Andrew, Harry and her new Mills & Boon whodunit
Everything we know about the coronation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 17:00 , Roisin O'Connor
King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May, 2023.
Here’s everything we know about the ceremony so far:
When is the coronation of King Charles III?
King Charles praises Germany's generosity in hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees
Wednesday 5 April 2023 16:30 , Roisin O'Connor
The ancient symbolism behind King Charles’s coronation invite design
Wednesday 5 April 2023 16:00 , Roisin O'Connor
The ancient symbolism behind King Charles’s coronation invite design
Sarah Ferguson ‘doesn’t know’ how King Charles is coping ahead of coronation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:30 , Roisin O'Connor
Sarah Ferguson has admitted she doesn’t know how King Charles III is coping with his new role as monarch.
In an interview with The Independent, published on Wednesday 5 April, the Duchess of York, 63, shared her thoughts on King Charles’s reign.
“I don’t know how he’s managing. I really don’t,” she said, addressing Charles’s workload ahead of the coronation on 6 May.
“We used to go skiing together,” she said. “And I honestly have no idea how he’s managing with the amount of paperwork and all the overwhelming things he must have to deal with.”
Her comments come after King Charles reportedly asked Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle to vacate their property at Frogmore Cottage and offered it to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, instead.
Sarah Ferguson ‘doesn’t know’ how King Charles is coping ahead of coronation
‘No one can break the York family’: Sarah Ferguson on Andrew, Diana and Prince Harry, and her new Mills & Boon whodunit
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:00 , Roisin O'Connor
The Duchess of York talks to Charlotte Cripps about feeling broken, living through her heroines and plastic surgery
Sarah Ferguson on Andrew, Harry and her new Mills & Boon whodunit
Coronation invitations confirm Camilla to be crowned Queen next month
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:30 , Roisin O'Connor
Queen Consort Camilla will officially be named Queen Camilla at King Charles III’s coronation next month.
The newly-released invitations for the British monarch’s forthcoming coronation revealed Camilla Parker-Bowles’ new title. She was referred to as Queen Consort following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year.
Full story:
Coronation invitations confirm Camilla to be crowned Queen next month
King Charles hosts Gareth Southgate and Keir Starmer at first ‘dine and sleep’ of reign
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:00 , Roisin O'Connor
England football manager Gareth Southgate and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were entertained by the King at his first “dine and sleep” evening at Windsor Castle.
Charles, who is almost a month away from his coronation, invited a host of well-known guests to his Berkshire residence for the dinner party on Tuesday.
Buckingham Palace confirmed it was the first “dine and sleep” soiree of the King’s reign.
Charles is following in the footsteps of his mother, the late Queen, who traditionally hosted such events at Windsor around Easter, with guests given a bed in the famous castle for the night.
Full story:
Artist who painted invitation for King’s coronation ‘sworn to secrecy’
Wednesday 5 April 2023 13:30 , Roisin O'Connor
The artist who painted the invitation for King Charles III’s coronation has revealed that he was sworn to secrecy as he made the design.
Andrew Jamieson, 61, didn’t even tell his mother or children that he had been chosen to create the artwork for the reported 2,000 guests who will arrive at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
His design, which was revealed to the public on Tuesday night (4 April), was painted in watercolour and gouache and recalls the coronation emblem, accompanied by illustrations of wildflowers. The artwork will be printed on recycled card with gold foil detailing.
Artist who painted invitation for King Charles III’s coronation ‘sworn to secrecy’
New photograph of the King and Queen Consort released ahead of coronation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 13:00 , Roisin O'Connor
Prince George will have official role in King Charles’ coronation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 12:40 , Roisin O'Connor
Prince George will have official role in King Charles’ coronation
Joe Biden tells King Charles coronation plan as invites sent out
Wednesday 5 April 2023 12:20 , Roisin O'Connor
US First Lady Jill Biden will attend the coronation of the King on behalf of the country, President Joe Biden has told the monarch in a phone call.
Mr Biden congratulated Charles on Tuesday ahead of his coronation in May, and told him his wife would be attending the ceremony, the White House said.
The president also expressed his desire to meet Charles in the UK.
A White House statement read: “President Joseph R Biden Jr spoke today with King Charles III, underscoring the strength of the relationship between our countries and the friendship between our peoples.
“The president congratulated the King on his upcoming coronation and informed him that First Lady Jill Biden looks forward to attending on behalf of the United States.”
Joe Biden announces coronation plan as invites sent out
Prince George will have official role in King Charles’ coronation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 11:00 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation, with the monarch’s nine-year-old grandson Prince George expected to take on one of the official roles.
On Tuesday 4 April, Buckingham Palace announced that George, who is second-in-line to the throne and the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, would join three other pages for the King.
As the procession of the King and Queen makes its way through the Nave of Westminster Abbey on 6 May, the pages will hold the robes of some of the leading individuals taking part.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales said the couple was “very excited and delighted” about George’s upcoming role. “His parents are very excited and delighted that he is a page,” the spokesperson told People. “It’s something that his parents have thought long and hard about and are very much looking forward to - and I’m sure George is, too.”
Read the full story below:
Prince George will have official role in King Charles’ coronation
The ancient symbolism behind the coronation invitation’s design
Wednesday 5 April 2023 10:51 , Roisin O'Connor
The ancient symbolism behind King Charles’s coronation invite design
Sarah Ferguson says royals ‘can’t have it both ways’ if they choose to leave
Wednesday 5 April 2023 10:00 , Ellie Muir
The Duchess of York has said that members of the royal family who choose to leave the fold “can’t sit on the fence” and must decide whether they want to be “in or out”.
Her comments come amid ongoing tensions between the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have repeatedly aired their grievances over Buckingham Palace’s relationship with the tabloid press since they stepped down as senior royals in 2020.
Sarah Ferguson, who was married to the Duke of York until their separation in 1992 and divorce four years later, did not refer directly to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle while talking about her own departure from the royal family.
In a new interview with The Independent, she reflected on her career as an author, having spent 12 years in the US writing children’s books and starring in several reality television shows.
The 63-year-old duchess said: “Well, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t sit on the fence and keep one foot in and one foot out. You’re either in or out.
Read the full story below:
Sarah Ferguson says royals ‘can’t have it both ways’ if they choose to leave
