The coronation of a monarch is a grand event that is marked with pomp and pageantry. It is an occasion that attracts dignitaries from all over the world who come to witness the ascension of a king or queen to the throne. The coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom is no different, as royals from all over Europe are expected to attend the ceremony. The coronation is set to be a historic event that will mark a new era for the British monarchy. Let us take a look at the royalty who will be in attendance and what we can expect from this momentous occasion.
King Charles III is set to be crowned on 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, and 2,000 guests, including foreign monarchs throughout Europe, are expected to attend the ceremony. The guest list marks a departure from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, which was attended by 8,000 guests with 129 nations and territories officially represented.
Buckingham Palace has unveiled the official invites for the upcoming coronation. The invitation, sent to 2,000 people, invited guests 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 the 6th day of May, 2023.”
The British royal family members are expected to attend the “slimmed-down” service, along with many royal families across Europe. According to The Telegraph, the coronation was considered “a sacred ceremony between a monarch and their people in the presence of God,” but Charles “is set to do away with the tradition and invite his counterparts from around the world.”
The Danish Royal Family has confirmed their attendance at the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May. Similarly, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife Crown Princess Kiko of Japan, and the Swedish Royal Court, confirmed their attendance at the coronation.
The Imperial Household Agency received an invitation from the British royal family in March requesting that the head of state or proxy attend the ceremony. The crown prince will represent his brother, Emperor Naruhito, at the coronation, as the emperor does not attend foreign royal coronations per protocol. However, Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last September.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have yet to announce whether they will attend the coronation. A source previously told The Mail on Sunday: “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.”
Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III has invited over 850 community and charity representatives to his and Queen Camilla’s coronation. More than 450 British Empire Medal (BEM) recipients were 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.”
The coronation will be held in London at Westminster Abbey, which can seat up to 2,200 people. The elaborate invitation to the coronation indicates this is a momentous occasion for the newly-crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who look forward to sharing it with guests from across the world.
