Prince William to plan King’s coronation as Harry’s role remains unknown


Prince William has a new job title to add to his résumé: coronation committee member.

The 41-year-old heir to the British throne is set to take part in the planning for his father King Charles III’s coronation next year.

The event — also called Operation Golden Orb — will occur on May 6, 2023.

William will be taking an “active role” in the ceremony; however, a role for his exiled brother Prince Harry, 38, has yet to be announced, per the Telegraph.

The outlet also noted how William will help erase the apparently “archaic,” “feudal” and “imperial” elements from the ceremony.

“[William] is taking a keen interest in the ceremony and how it reflects modern Britain,” a source told the publication.

The date also happens to coincide with the 4th birthday of Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Archie.

Reports have previously speculated that the coronation date could have been a snub towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

However, investigative journalist and royal family expert Tom Bower recently told Page Six that the notion is pure “nonsense.”

Prince William, King Charles and Prince Harry attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19 in London.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation.
Queen Elizabeth II was coronated in 1953 coronation at age 25.
Universal Images Group via Getty

“Archie’s birthday was the last thing they thought about,” added Bower, who most recently authored the book “Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors.”

See also  ‘Compulsory’: Wild text from boss goes viral

“The date was chosen because it’s just before the state opening of Parliament and Charles will want to appear as King with his crown and the whole ceremonial (robes),” he continued.

Another royal expert, Katie Nicholl, echoed that conclusion, telling Entertainment Tonight earlier this month: “Well, having the coronation on Archie’s birthday is definitely not a snub.”

Prince Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla with Prince William and Kate Middleton in their first official photo since Queen Elizabeth II”s funeral.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, along with Prince William and Kate Middleton, posed on Sept. 18 for their first official photo following Queen Elizabeth II’s death earlier that month.
Chris Jackson/Buckingham Palace via AP

“I think it’s very much a happy coincidence,” she continued. “Obviously, a huge amount of planning has to go into an important moment in history, such as a coronation, and the royal calendar is full of anniversaries and birthdays, so I think this is absolutely one of those occasions where it’s a coincidence and hopefully a happy coincidence.”

The coronation will also be a “scaled-down” affair, as part of Charles’ effort to keep the monarchy modern.

“The king has stripped back a lot of the coronation in recognition that the world has changed in the past 70 years,” a source divulged to the Mirror earlier this month.

The formerly three-hour service, which takes place at Westminster Abbey, will now run just 60 minutes. As for guests who earned a coveted spot on the invite list, the amount has been chopped down from 8,000 to 2,000.



Source link

Leave a Comment