The coronation of King Charles III is one of the most highly anticipated events in Europe this year, and it is set to be a grand affair. The occasion has drawn the attention of not just the British public, but monarchs and royals from all over Europe. It is expected that the coronation ceremony will be a moment of great pomp and pageantry, with some of the world’s most renowned royals in attendance. From the Spanish monarchy to the Scandinavian royal families, the coronation of King Charles III will bring together a who’s who of European royalty. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the various royals who will be in attendance at this historic event.
King Charles III’s coronation ceremony is just a few weeks away and is set to be attended by only 2,000 guests, including foreign monarchs throughout Europe. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, 6 May at Westminster Abbey in London which can seat up to only 2,200 people. The limited guest list marks a significant departure from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, which was attended by 8,000 guests with 129 nations and territories officially represented at the ceremony. Buckingham Palace unveiled the official invites for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation providing elaborate instructions to the 2,000 invitees to attend “The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla – By Command of the King the Earl Marshall is directed to invite…to be present at the Abbey Church of Westminster on 6th day of May 2023.”
As the King’s coronation fast approaches, interest is building on who will be attending the “slimmed-down” service. While members of the British royal family are expected to attend, many royal families from across Europe are also expected. According to The Telegraph, in the past, the coronation had been considered “a sacred ceremony between a monarch and their people in the presence of God,” however, Charles “is set to do away with the tradition and invite his counterparts from around the world.”
Foreign monarchs who are confirmed to attend the ceremony so far include Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife Crown Princess Kiko of Japan, who will appear at King Charles III’s coronation on May 6 as the representative for Emperor Naruhito. The Imperial Household Agency announced that they received an invitation from the British royal family in March requesting the head of state or proxy attend the ceremony. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have already confirmed that they will be among the guests at Westminster Abbey. Speaking to People, Prince Albert described the event as “an incredible ceremony and a very moving one” and is sure that the King will add his own “personal touches” to the coronation. However, he was unsure whether their eight-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will be invited.
The Danish royal family offered details about attendance through the Danish Royal House’s website, whereby Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark said they will “participate in the coronation of HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla of Great Britain” at Westminster Abbey in London. In addition to Denmark’s royal family, the Swedish Royal Court has also confirmed the coronation attendance of King Carl XVI Gustaf, of Sweden, along with his daughter and heir, Crown Princess Victoria.
Currently, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are yet to announce their attendance at the King’s coronation. A source previously stated: “At the Queen’s Coronation, there were no crowned monarchs, only the protectorate rulers like the Queen of Tonga. It’s been a tradition for centuries. Inviting the King of Jordan, the Sultan of Brunei, the Sultan of Oman and the Scandinavian royals – who are all friends of Charles – will be a good bit of soft power and diplomacy.”
Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III has invited more than 850 community and charity representatives to his and Queen Camilla’s coronation with over 450 British Empire Medal (BEM) recipients being invited to see the service from inside Westminster Abbey, while some 400 young people representing charities will be able to watch the coronation and procession from a “special private viewing” at the nearby St Margaret’s Church.
Although not a foreign monarch, President Joe Biden has confirmed that he will not be attending King Charles III’s coronation. Instead, his wife, First Lady Jill Biden will be going “on behalf of the United States”. King Charles III’s coronation is one of the most anticipated events for the year and having foreign monarchs present will go a long way in cementing good relations with many countries outside the UK.
