Coronation news – live: George, Charlotte and Louis spotted at rehearsals for King’s ceremony
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King Charles has been spotted leaving Westminster Abbey after attending rehearsals for his coronation on Saturday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children were also in attendance at the rehearsal.
Prince George, nine, will be a Page of Honour to the King at Saturday’s ceremony, alongside Camilla’s three grandsons.
The rehearsals follow an incident at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening (2 May), where a man was arrested after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds, police said.
He was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found, but he was not carrying a gun. The man was also carrying a “suspicious bag” and a controlled explosion was carried out.
Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said the man spoke to a police officer on guard and “asked to speak to a soldier” before throwing the cartridges over the gates.
Mr Adelekan said that while being arrested, the man raised officers’ suspicions about his backpack by telling them it “needed to be handled correctly”.
Coronation news – latest updates
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis join William and Kate at coronation rehearsal
Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation
Everyone we know invited to King Charles’ coronation – from Prince Harry to Princess Charlene of Monaco
IN PICTURES: Royal mega-fans set up camp along coronation procession route
Coronation Concert stage with Windsor Castle backdrop revealed as 20,000 set to attend
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis join William and Kate at coronation rehearsal
15:38 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III coronation: What happens in sacred anointing ceremony?
15:30 , Ellie Muir
The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla is less than a week away, taking place on Saturday 6 May.
As we approach the big day, Buckingham Palace has been revealing more details about the events that will unfold as Britain crowns a new monarch for the first time in more than 70 years.
The last coronation that took place was that of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Since her death in September 2022, King Charles ascended the throne and the royal family has seen several role changes.
Read the full story below:
What will happen during King Charles’ anointing in coronation ceremony?
Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation
15:00 , Ellie Muir
The King and Queen Consort each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation – schoolboys who are family friends or close relatives.
Full story:
Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation
IN PICTURES: Royal mega-fans set up camp along coronation procession route
14:42 , Kate Ng
A number of fans of the royal family have begun setting up camp along the coronation procession route, as dress rehearsals get underway for the big day.
The fascinating history behind the chair King Charles will sit on at his coronation
14:30 , Ellie Muir
On 6 May, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey as the world watches.
The monarch ascended the throne following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, last September. His coronation takes place more than 70 years after Elizabeth was crowned on 2 June 1953.
During the crowning and anointing parts of the ceremony, which are said to be the most sacred parts, King Charles will sit upon the 700-year-old Coronation Chair.
Full story:
The fascinating history behind the chair King Charles will sit on at his coronation
Prince George given Page of Honour role at King’s coronation
14:00 , Ellie Muir
Prince George has been given an official role at the 6 May coronation – a Page of Honour to the King.
King Charles III and the Queen Consort each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation, including schoolboys who are family friends or close relatives.
George, the nine-year-old future monarch, is the most prominent among them. Camilla’s three grandsons will also join the royal.
Read the full story below:
Prince George given Page of Honour role at King’s coronation
Thomas Markle says he refuses to be ‘buried’ by Meghan as he gives ‘final interview’
13:30 , Ellie Muir
Thomas Markle Sr has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to “bury” him while he is still alive.
The Duchess of Sussex’s father, 78, claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years. He has said that his appearance on the programme would be his “final ever” interview.
He said that he suffered a debilitating stroke last year and expressed disappointment that she did not reach out.
Read the full story below:
Thomas Markle says he refuses to be ‘buried’ by daughter Meghan in ‘final interview’
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrive at coronation rehearsals ahead of Saturday’s ceremony
13:03 , Ellie Muir
Everyone we know invited to King Charles’ coronation – from Prince Harry to Ant and Dec
13:00 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be joined by 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey for their coronation on Saturday 6 May.
Among the senior members of the royal family, a number of celebrities, actors, and politicians in attendance. The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the ceremony.
After months of speculation surrounding whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the event, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Wednesday 12 April that Prince Harry will attend. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will stay at home with their children, Archie and Lilbet.
Read the full list below:
Everyone we know who’s been invited to King Charles’s coronation
Camilla and her pages seen leaving Westminster Abbey after rehearsal
12:31 , Ellie Muir
The Queen Consort and her grandsons have been seen leaving Westminster Abbey after a rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s event.
The children will be Pages of Honour at the ceremony.
Princess Anne throws doubt on ‘slimmed-down’ monarchy: ‘It doesn’t sound like a good idea’
12:30 , Ellie Muir
The Princess Royal has defended the role of the monarchy in the modern world in a rare, candid interview.
Princess Anne sat down with Canada’s CBC News ahead of her brother King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday 6 May. She is set to take part in the coronation procession as the Gold-Stick-in-Waiting.
Asked if there were conversations about relevance within the royal family, Anne said it was “not a conversation I that I would necessarily have”.
Kate Ng reports:
Princess Anne doubts idea of a ‘slimmed-down’ monarchy in candid interview
Smiling Princess Charlotte photographed ahead of eighth birthday
12:00 , Ellie Muir
A smiling Princess Charlotte has been photographed ahead of her eighth birthday.
The young princess was photographed grinning in a white dress with flowers on it by her mother, the Princess of Wales, in Windsor this weekend.
The family will be centre stage at the King’s coronation on May 6 – and Charlotte and her brothers are expected to watch their grandfather be crowned.
Read the full story below:
Smiling Princess Charlotte photographed ahead of eighth birthday
King Charles’ biographer details how the monarch is different from Queen Elizabeth
11:00 , Ellie Muir
Jonathan Dimbleby, who presented two documentaries on King Charles III, has detailed the major differences between the new sovereign and his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The broadcaster presented the 1994 ITV documentary Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role as well as the 2022 documentary Charles, The Monarch and the Man, and has come to know the King well over the past 30 years.
Ahead of the King and Queen Consort Camilla’s coronation on Saturday 6 May, Dimbleby reflected on how Charles’ personality and impact differs from his predecessor, who died last September.
King Charles’ biographer details how the monarch is different from Queen Elizabeth
King Charles will have his ‘dream fulfilled’ during coronation, says Britt Ekland
10:30 , Ellie Muir
James Bond star Britt Ekland has said that King Charles III will have his “dream fulfilled” when he is crowned at his coronation ceremony on Saturday 6 May.
The 80-year-old actress, who starred opposite Sir Roger Moore in 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun as Mary Goodnight, was a close friend of Princess Margaret, who died in 2002.
Ekland, who was speaking around the 50th anniversary of horror film The Wicker Man, recalled her first meeting with Charles, who was a big fan of the BBC radio comedy show The Goon Show, which starred her then-husband Peter Sellers.
Read the full story below:
King Charles will have his ‘dream fulfilled’ during coronation, says Britt Ekland
Coronation dress rehearsals featuring state coaches take place overnight in London
09:52 , Ellie Muir
The first glimpses of the coronation have been revealed as rehearsals took place in central London in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with only three days to go until the big day.
Hundreds of soldiers, many on horseback, marched down from Buckingham Palace past Trafalgar Square and Downing Street to Westminster Abbey.
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach and Gold State Coach were marched down the Mall as part of the preparations for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla on Saturday 6 May.
Read the full story below:
Coronation dress rehearsals featuring state coaches take place overnight in London
St Edward’s Crown to be resized for King Charles III’s coronation
Tuesday 2 May 2023 05:00 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III will wear St Edward’s Crown for his coronation next year, but it will need to be resized before the significant event.
The crown has been removed from the Tower of London to allow for modification work to begin before the ceremony on 6 May 2023, Buckingham Palace has said.
Read the full story below:
St Edward’s Crown to be resized for King Charles III’s coronation
The fascinating history behind the chair King Charles will sit on at his coronation
Tuesday 2 May 2023 04:00 , Ellie Muir
On 6 May, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey as the world watches.
The monarch ascended the throne following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, last September. His coronation takes place more than 70 years after Elizabeth was crowned on 2 June 1953.
Kate Ng reports:
The fascinating history behind the chair King Charles will sit on at his coronation
When is the coronation of King Charles III?
Tuesday 2 May 2023 01:40 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May, 2023.
In a statement, representatives said: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce that the coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023.
“The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Read the full story below:
King Charles coronation date, timetable and everything you need to know
Royal photographer explains what we can expect from King Charles’ coronation
Monday 1 May 2023 23:40 , Ellie Muir
A royal photographer has revealed what the British public can expect to see as the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla unfolds on Saturday 6 May.
Tim Rooke, who has photographed the royal family for Shutterstock for the past 30 years, tells The Independent that he believes the coronation will have “all the pomp and significance you’d expect of a royal event” despite being significantly smaller than the 1953 coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate Ng reports:
Royal photographer explains what we can expect from King Charles’ coronation
What will Queen Consort Camilla wear to the coronation?
Monday 1 May 2023 23:00 , Ellie Muir
It is understood that the King will opt for a more modern choice of clothing for the ceremony. Instead of the traditional silk stockings and breeches worn in coronations past, it has been reported that the monarch will be crowned in his military uniform.
Therefore, it is expected that Camilla’s coronation dress will also be more modern compared to previous versions, which tend to include ornate designs and lavish materials.
Kate Ng reports:
What will Queen Consort Camilla wear to the coronation?
What happens in sacred anointing ceremony?
Monday 1 May 2023 22:00 , Ellie Muir
The King will not forego the most sacred part of the ceremony: the anointing of the sovereign. This tradition is so sacred that it was hidden from public view during Queen Elizabeth’s own anointing – and it has been revealed that Charles will do the same.
The mysterious anointing ceremony, known as the Act of Consecration, will take place before the investiture and crowning, and is carried out by the Archbishop. At Charles’s coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury will be the one to anoint the King.
Read the full story below:
What will happen during King Charles’ anointing in coronation ceremony?
What’s the difference between Camilla’s Queen and Queen Consort titles?
Monday 1 May 2023 21:30 , Ellie Muir
Queen Consort Camilla will officially be named Queen Camilla at King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday (6 May).
The invitations for the King’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.
The decision is unprecedented since the late Queen Elizabeth II said in February last year that it was her “sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort”. Buckingham Palace confirmed last month that Camilla will be known as Queen after the coronation.
Read the full report below:
What’s the difference between Camilla’s Queen and Queen Consort titles?
Prince Harry’s waxwork at Madam Tussauds reunited with royal family for coronation
Monday 1 May 2023 20:30 , Ellie Muir
A wax figure of the Duke of Sussex has been reunited with the rest of the royal family figurines at Madame Tussauds London as Harry returns to the UK for the coronation.
The 38-year-old announced, along with the palace, in April that he would be attending the crowning of his father, the King, and his stepmother, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (6 May).
Read the full story below:
Prince Harry’s Madam Tussauds wax figure reunited with royal family for coronation
All the ways the coronation ceremony is expected to break from royal protocol
Monday 1 May 2023 19:30 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned next month during a symbolic coronation ceremony.
Although there are many ways the coronation will be similar to Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years ago and to her father King George VI’s coronation in 1937, there will also be a few key differences as King Charles announces departures from tradition.
Read the full story below:
All the ways King Charles’ coronation is expected to break from royal protocol
Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation
Monday 1 May 2023 18:30 , Ellie Muir
The King and Queen Consort each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation – schoolboys who are family friends or close relatives.
Prominent among them is Charles’s eldest grandson Prince George, the nine-year-old future monarch, as well as Camilla’s three grandsons.
The Queen Consort will also have two Ladies in Attendance – her sister Annabel Elliot and her trusted friend the Marchioness of Lansdowne – whose roles will be to support her through elements of the service.
Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation
New screen will give King Charles privacy during coronation anointing
Monday 1 May 2023 17:30 , Ellie Muir
The King will have greater privacy than afforded previous monarchs during one of the most sacred moments of the coronation.
Charles will be shielded by a new partition, featuring an embroidered design celebrating the Commonwealth, when he is anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury during his crowning on May 6.
Read the full story below:
New screen will give Charles privacy during coronation anointing
Photo of Charles at start of Cambridge studies released for first time
Monday 1 May 2023 16:30 , Ellie Muir
A photograph taken of the King for his matriculation at the University of Cambridge has been released for the first time.
Trinity College, Cambridge, where Charles studied for three years, shared the picture of the 18-year-old prince taken in October 1967, ahead of the coronation next week.
Photo of Charles at start of Cambridge studies released for first time
Camilla to wear Queen Elizabeth II’s crimson coronation robe for ceremony
Monday 1 May 2023 15:30 , Ellie Muir
Camilla will wear the coronation robes made for Queen Elizabeth II when she is crowned Queen Consort next Saturday 6 May.
Buckingham Palace has released new photographs and details about the coronation robes the King and Queen Consort will wear at the ceremony next weekend.
Read the full story below:
Camilla to wear Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation robe for crowning ceremony
Royal expert says he’s ‘interested’ to hear what William says about King Charles at coronation tribute
Monday 1 May 2023 14:30 , Ellie Muir
A royal expert has said that he is intrigued to hear what William will say about King Charles and Queen Camilla at the coronation tribute.
Prince William is expected to make a “heartfelt and loving” tribute to his father King Charles III and step-mother Queen Camilla after the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Thursday (7 May).
Read the full story below:
Royal expert predicts what William will say about Charles at coronation tribute
Thomas Markle says he refuses to be ‘buried’ by daughter Meghan
Monday 1 May 2023 13:30 , Ellie Muir
Thomas Markle Sr has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to “bury” him while he is still alive.
The Duchess of Sussex’s father, 78, claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years.
Read the full story below:
Thomas Markle says he refuses to be ‘buried’ by daughter Meghan
Everyone we know invited to King Charles’ coronation – from Prince Harry to Princess Charlene of Monaco
Monday 1 May 2023 12:30 , Ellie Muir
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be joined by 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey for their coronation on 6 May.
Among the senior members of the royal family, a number of celebrities, actors, and politicians in attendance. The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the ceremony.
Read the full report below:
Everyone we know who’s been invited to King Charles’s coronation
Prince Harry waxwork reunited with royal family
Monday 1 May 2023 11:30 , Roisin O'Connor
A wax figure of the Duke of Sussex has been reunited with the rest of the royal family figurines at Madame Tussauds London as Harry returns to the UK for the coronation.
The 38-year-old announced, along with the palace, in April that he would be attending the crowning of his father, the King, and his stepmother, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (6 May).
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, has decided to remain at home in Los Angeles to be with the couple’s son Prince Archie on his fourth birthday.
To reflect this, Meghan’s figure will remain in the Awards Party Zone – with US-based celebrities – where the couple’s waxworks were moved in 2020 following the Sussexes stepping back from royal duties and moving to California.
Full story:
Prince Harry’s Madam Tussauds wax figure reunited with royal family for coronation
All the foreign royals attending King Charles III’s coronation
Monday 1 May 2023 10:54 , Peony Hirwani
King Charles III’s coronation, which takes place on Saturday 6 May, is set to be attended by 2,000 guests, including foreign monarchs across the world.
Below is a list of all the foreign royals who have confirmed their attendance so far.
All the foreign royals attending King Charles III’s coronation
‘Long live King Charles’ acclamation to welcome monarch to Westminster Abbey
Monday 1 May 2023 10:24 , Peony Hirwani
The words “long live Queen Camilla, long live King Charles” in Latin will greet the royal couple as they enter Westminster Abbey for the coronation.
They are part of the Vivat acclamations which will be sung at the central London ceremony on May 6.
Read more:
‘Long live King Charles’ acclamation to welcome monarch to Westminster Abbey
Bank Holiday Monday: What time do supermarkets open and close today?
Monday 1 May 2023 09:54 , Peony Hirwani
Britons are being treated to two bank holiday weekends in a row, as the early May bank holiday and the coronation weekend of King Charles III arrive one after the other.
Monday 1 May is the early May bank holiday, while Buckingham Palace announced last year that Monday 8 May would also be a bank holiday to give the country an extra day to celebrate the coronation.
With warmer spring weather expected this coming weekend and Big Lunches and street parties planned for the following one, British people have plenty to look forward to in the coming fortnight.
However, it could also mean closures across some supermarkets on more days than usual.
Many people will be looking to stock up for the long weekends and ensure they have plenty of food and drink for gatherings, parties, or just to relax with.
Here are the opening times for Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison, Lidl and more.
What are supermarket bank holiday opening times today?
Thomas Markle says he refuses to be ‘buried’ by daughter Meghan
Monday 1 May 2023 09:18 , Roisin O'Connor
Thomas Markle Sr has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to “bury” him while he is still alive.
The Duchess of Sussex’s father, 78, claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years.
He said that he suffered a debilitating stroke last year and expressed disappointment that she did not reach out.
“If she doesn’t turn up for a stroke, if that doesn’t move her, what would?” he said.
The Independent has contacted representatives of the Sussexes for comment.
Full story:
Thomas Markle says he refuses to be ‘buried’ by daughter Meghan
Coronation Concert stage with Windsor Castle backdrop revealed as 20,000 set to attend
Monday 1 May 2023 09:14 , Peony Hirwani
The Coronation Concert will feature a Union Flag-shaped stage, first look images show.
The stage will also have a halo-like screen surrounding the roof, which the broadcaster said will “symbolise the Crown protecting the nation”.
Read more:
Coronation Concert stage with Windsor Castle backdrop revealed
When was the Queen’s coronation?
Monday 1 May 2023 08:44 , Peony Hirwani
As the country gears up to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May 2023, many will be remembering the crowning of his late mother 71 years earlier, a defining event in 20th-century British history.
Joanna Whitehead reports.
When was the Queen’s coronation?
The curious culinary history of royal coronation food
Monday 1 May 2023 08:14 , Peony Hirwani
From coronation chicken to King Charles’s veggie quiche, The Independent’s Ben Parker unpacks how different dishes have shaped the monarchy’s image.
The curious culinary history of royal coronation food
The Windsors Coronation Special: Exceptionally witty, uproarious send-up of the royals
Monday 1 May 2023 07:34 , Peony Hirwani
“The brilliant writers once again render our reigning family into a highly amusing gallery of grotesques,” writes The Independent’s Sean O’Grady.
The Windsors Coronation Special is an exceptionally witty, uproarious send-up: review
Brian May, Kermit the Frog and Atomic Kitten… together at last!: Nothing is weirder than the royal pop concert
Monday 1 May 2023 07:04 , Peony Hirwani
As Katy Perry and Take That prepare to perform during Charles’s coronation weekend, The Independent’s Katie Rosseinsky salutes the chaotic and confusing tradition of incredibly divergent celebrities coming together to sing for royalty.
‘The Queen wore earplugs’: Royal pop concerts have always been weird
Everyone we know invited to King Charles’ coronation – from Prince Harry to Princess Charlene of Monaco
Monday 1 May 2023 06:00 , Maanya Sachdeva
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be joined by 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey for their coronation on 6 May.
Here are all of the royals and celebrities who have confirmed they will be attending the King’s coronation:
Everyone we know who’s been invited to King Charles’s coronation
King Charles’s coronation quiche recipe sparks mixed reaction
Sunday 30 April 2023 22:00 , Maanya Sachdeva
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have chosen a quiche as their signature dish for the upcoming coronation, but the decision has received mixed reactions amidst an ongoing egg shortage in the United Kingdom.
Following the announcement, many royal watchers took to social media to share their thoughts about the classic French dish.
Kate Ng reports:
King Charles’s coronation recipe sparks mixed reaction
Tom Cruise and Winnie the Pooh to feature in King Charles’ Coronation Concert
Sunday 30 April 2023 21:00 , Maanya Sachdeva
The unlikely duo of Tom Cruise and Winnie the Pooh have been announced as the latest acts in King Charles III’s Coronation Concert.
Dame Joan Collins, Sir Tom Jones, adventurer Bear Grylls and former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, will also appear in a series of pre-recorded sketches revealing little-known facts about the monarch.
Tom Murray has the full story:
Tom Cruise and Winnie the Pooh to feature in King Charles’ Coronation Concert
Charles and Camilla: A timeline of their 50-year relationship, from friendship to marriage
Sunday 30 April 2023 20:00 , Maanya Sachdeva
Having first met in 1970, Charles and Camilla were married 17 years ago at Windsor Guildhall in a low-key ceremony.
For most royal fans, the couple’s journey will always be intrinsically linked to the story of Charles and his ex-wife Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales.
Over the years, the public, and other members of the royal family, became more accepting of the match. Yet for decades the couple were pursued by gossip and scandal following Charles’s fraught marriage to Diana.
Here, we detail Charles and Camilla’s complicated love story:
A timeline of King Charles and Camilla’s 50-year relationship
How Prince Archie ‘will celebrate his fourth birthday’ on Coronation Day
Sunday 30 April 2023 19:00 , Maanya Sachdeva
Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace announced that, while Harry will attend the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla on 6 May, Meghan will remain in Montecito with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
It is believed that Archie’s fourth birthday – which falls on 6 May, the same day as the coronation – was one of the factors that informed the couple’s decision.
Since then, it has been reported that the occasion will be marked with a “low-key” party at Harry and Meghan’s home in California.
How Prince Archie ‘will celebrate his fourth birthday’ on Coronation Day
