KING Charles’s Coronation is taking place 70 years after his mother was crowned in June 1953.
Here, we look at who is expected to stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the King is officially crowned.
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Who will be on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for King Charles’ Coronation?
King Charles’ coronation will take place on May 6, 2023.
It will be the King’s first appearance on the balcony as Monarch, following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
His wife Camilla, will be by his side after she is crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey.
Prince William and Princess Kate are expected to be present along with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
George has been given a special role at the ceremony as one of the King’s four Pages of Honour.
At the Queen’s coronation in 1953, her pages were pictured on the balcony, meaning the King’s other attendants – Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, Nicholas Barclay, 13, and Ralph Tollemache, 12 – could also be present.
As of April 6, 2023, it hasn’t yet been confirmed whether or not Harry or Meghan will be present at the ceremony, with Charles’ youngest son having relinquished his royal titles in 2020.
According to The Times, royals included in the procession out of the Abbey are: Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; and the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra.
But it is not known if they will appear on the balcony along with King Charles.
After the Queen’s coronation, she appeared on the balcony still wearing the Imperial State Crown and Royal Robes, along with her husband, Prince Philip, and her four children.
The King will ultimately make the final decision as to who will be invited on to the balcony.
On which occasions do the Royal Family appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace?
The most prominent and the regular occasion for stepping out on to the famous balcony is Trooping the Colour – the annual celebration of the sovereign’s birthday.
However, that is not the only occasion the Royal Family are seen waving from the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
They also appear on the balcony for:
- Weddings
- Jubilees
- Coronations
- Major state occasions
Which royals stand where on the balcony?
The monarch will usually stand at the centre of the balcony, as the Queen did during her reign.
This will only differ when there is a royal wedding, where the bride and groom will take centre stage.
There are no restrictions as to where the royals can stand.
When he was Prince of Wales, Charles often stood next to his mother towards the centre, so perhaps William may do this during the coronation.
Who started the tradition?
The famous balcony was not an original part of Buckingham Palace but was added in the renovations around 1845 at Prince Albert’s suggestion.
Queen Victoria watched the troops depart for the Crimean War and welcomed their return from the balcony.
It was not until 1851 for the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition that the balcony was used in an official capacity.
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to take to the balcony as a way to greet her subjects.
Seven years later she introduced her family to the balcony to greet the crowds, during the wedding of her daughter Princess Victoria.
From then on the balcony became a royal symbol, used for special occasions.