In a surprising turn of events, Princess Anne has been granted a prominent role in the upcoming coronation, showcasing her unwavering loyalty to King Charles.
The King’s younger sister, known for her steadfast support over the years, is set to play a crucial part in the ceremony, standing front and center as Charles’ official bodyguard during the procession back to Buckingham Palace.
The decision to elevate Princess Anne to such a significant position comes after years of delicate diplomacy by King Charles, who has successfully navigated tensions between the Sussexes and Camilla, the Queen consort.
Despite longstanding animosity between the two camps, marked by occasional friction, a recent insider revelation suggests that the rift has deepened in recent months.
The simmering feud reached a boiling point when Prince Harry openly criticized Camilla in his book and reiterated his stance in recent media appearances.
Amidst this backdrop of discord, Princess Anne is poised to assert her influence during the coronation rehearsal, with full backing from the new King himself.
Queen Camilla has also acquiesced to granting the Princess Royal key responsibilities on the momentous occasion.
Notably, Camilla’s decision to drop the title of consort post-coronation, transitioning to Queen against Prince Harry’s wishes, has exacerbated tensions within the royal circle.
The absence of the consort designation on the recently released coronation invite did not escape notice, further straining relations between the parties involved.
Princess Anne’s official designation as gold stick-in-waiting holds historical significance, symbolizing the monarch’s protection and necessitating utmost trust in the individual appointed.
Following the crowning of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6th, the royal entourage will proceed to Buckingham Palace in the grand gold state coach, accompanied by a procession of 6,000 military personnel.
The tradition of assigning a gold stick and a silver stick to safeguard the sovereign dates back centuries, underscoring the gravity of Princess Anne’s role in ensuring the safety of the newly crowned monarchs.
King Charles personally conveyed the news of Anne’s pivotal position, highlighting the strong bond between the siblings and his reliance on her pragmatic approach to life.
The gold stick role, now reserved for ceremonial and state occasions, is jointly held by the Colonels of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, both regiments of the Household Cavalry.
Conversely, the silver stick, a colonel in rank, oversees all ceremonial duties of the Household Cavalry, reinforcing the importance of these ceremonial posts in safeguarding the royal family.