King Charles's Coronation Guest List is a Who's Who of Big Names—Here's Who's In and Who's Out
Which royal family member says their status is “TBD”?
The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place on Saturday May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey—but who's on the invite list? Sources say the king is planning on breaking with several royal traditions for the official ceremony, including the role immediate family members will play (for example, Camilla's family will be involved). "It sends a nice signal and is quite a bold move. It is another example of the King and Queen Consort being unafraid to shake things up a bit to reflect the realities of modern life, of which a blended family is a central element," a royal source says. But what about the rest of the guest list? Here's who is said to be in—and who might decidedly be out.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
The Prince and Princess of Wales will—of course—be attending the Coronation. "Prince William and his offspring are next in line to the throne and coronations deliberately emphasize the order of precedence and succession," says historian and royal expert Tessa Dunlop. "Like it or not this state occasion is all about royal hierarchy."
Queen Camilla's Family
Queen Camilla's family will reportedly get equal billing at the Coronation. Camilla, 75, has five grandchildren: Son Tom Parker Bowles is father to Lola, 15, and Freddy, 13, and her daughter Laura Lopes is mother to Eliza, 15, and twins Louis and Gus, 13. "It is important to remember that this is a double coronation of both HMK and HMQC," a royal aide says.
Prince Albert of Monaco
King Charles has invited members of foreign royal families, a break from tradition. Prince Albert of Monaco has already confirmed he will be attending the ceremony. "I'm certain that it's going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one," Prince Albert, 64, tells PEOPLE. "We've maintained contact since His Majesty became King, but I haven't talked to him personally since the Queen's funeral."
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko have reportedly been invited to the ceremony. Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were present at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Prince Akishino is first in line to the throne.
George, Charlotte, and Louis
All three of Prince William and Kate Middleton's children will have a role to play in the ceremony. Sources say the couple are determined not to leave Charlotte and Louis out, but to ensure all children feel included. "George needs to be braced and supported by his siblings," a source says. "The whole brand of the Waleses is very much, 'we're a family, we do it all together'."
Prince Andrew
Charles' disgraced brother Prince Andrew has reportedly been invited to the ceremony—but should not assume it's a reentry into public life. One insider says Andrew may be banned from wearing ceremonial robes. "Andrew is furious. He's already not playing a part and now he feels he is being disrespected and dictated to over something he is fully entitled to [wear]," the insider says.
Prince Edward and Princess Anne
King Charles' siblings Prince Andrew and Princess Anne have been invited to the ceremony, sources say. Charles is said to have changed the ceremony so his children and siblings won't have to bow down to him in homage. The tradition of kissing the sovereign and touching the crown has also been reportedly scrapped.
The Duchess of York—TBD
Sarah Ferguson claimed to have not received an invitation to the Coronation. "The invitations haven't gone out yet. Have they?… I'm traveling at the moment, so maybe it [invitation] has gone to another place," she says, adding that her official status is "TBD". "Well I've decided the best thing about being British around a coronation – although I've never been to one – I think we should, I should set up a tea room at the bottom of the drive with bunting and cakes."
Tom Parker-Bowles
Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles will be attending of course, along with his teenage children. "All you care about your parents is they're happy and my mother is exceptionally happy at the moment," he says. "I've always adored my stepfather; he's always been a kind and good and lovely man."
Charity Workers
Representatives from charities near and dear to Charles' heart will be present at the Coronation. "The Coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry," Buckingham Palace announced. This means hereditary peers may not automatically be receiving invites, as part of Charles's "stripped down" Coronation plans.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It is not yet confirmed whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will attend the Coronation. "An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time," a spokesperson told The Telegraph. "There's a lot that can happen between now and then," Harry said. "But, you know, the door is always open. The ball is in their court. There's a lot to be discussed, and I really hope that they are willing to sit down and talk about it."
Archie and Lilibet
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, have reportedly not been invited to the ceremony. "I think we do have to remember that Archie is almost 4 and in fact will be 4 on the day and Lilibet is 2," says Emily Andrew, a former royal correspondent at The Sun and The Mail on Sunday. "And even Princess Anne didn't go to her own mother's coronation because she was 2. I know that Kate and William are thinking [about] whether Louis could do it even."
