After the sad death of his mother last year, the day has finally arrived for King Charles’ Coronation. Only young when his mother officially ascended to the throne, what did Prince Charles receive from Queen Elizabeth II when she was crowned?
They’ll be many children in attendance at King Charles III‘s coronation today, most notably Prince William and Princess Catherine’s three young children. At a similar age at his mother’s ceremony in 1953, we look at what Prince Charles received from Queen Elizabeth II when she was crowned.
What did Prince Charles receive from Queen Elizabeth II when she was crowned?
The young prince received a hand-drawn children’s invitation to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Not only was it his mother making history that day, but Charles was the youngest member of the Royal Family to witness the event. Though his younger sister, Princess Ann had been born, she was considered too young at two years old to attend. Charles was a little older at four, but there were famous pictures taken on the day showing the young lad looking particularly bored.
At 3 hours long, the ceremony would be a challenge for anyone let alone a child. With the rather cheeky Prince Louis attending his grandfather’s coronation today, many will be looking to him for entertaining pictures. After all, he become the star of the show at the Queen’s Jubilee last year.
The gifted invitation that Charles received was embellished with hand-painted British guards with their famous bear-skin hats playing instruments. It also had the Queen’s coat of arms on, made from a cartoon lion and unicorn.
George, Charlotte and Louis will play vital role in King’s Coronation
With plenty of children at the ceremony today, the Wales children will play a crucial role in today’s events.
King Charles’s other grandchildren, Archie and Lillibet, will not attend the coronation. They will stay at home with their mother, Meghan Markle, as only Prince Harry makes the journey over.
The three children, who are second, third and fourth in line to the throne, will take part in the procession before entering Westminster Abbey. It’s reported they’ll join their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, in the carriage behind the King and Queen Consort.
Though Charles was the first child to witness his mother’s coronation, he did not have a formal role. It’s very possible that the Wales children will accompany their grandparents as they leave Westminster Abbey at the end of the ceremony.
Prince George is reported to be a page at the coronation ceremony, wearing a scarlet uniform along with 7 other pages. In years to come, it will eventually be his coronation; hard to picture with the Price only turning 10 years old later this year.
It’s not known whether Zara and Mike Tindall’s children will be in attendance. That’s the same case as for Princess Eugenie’s young son, August.
Public viewing of the event is now officially open. People have camped out and lined the streets, even in especially poor weather. They’ll certainly be plenty of waves for the youngsters and King and Queen. Their procession as they streets before entering Westminster Abbey kicks off at 10:20 am.
