In a surprising move, King Charles has decided to permit an invisible non-working royal to stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the final part of his coronation.
While other non-working royals such as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew have been restricted, the King has shown little sentimentality by limiting the number of royals on the balcony to just 15.
On May 6th, this select group will gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to greet the crowds at the end of the historic coronation.
Only working royals will be allowed on the balcony, with one exception – Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, the husband of Princess Anne.
Despite not performing any official royal duties, Sir Tim has quietly supported Anne over the years, earning him the reputation of being the most hard-working royal behind the scenes.
Often referred to as the “invisible royal,” Sir Tim has gained a special place in the hearts of other royals, including the late Queen, who seemed particularly fond of him.
Following Trooping MacCulloch, he was granted permission to join the monarch on the balcony.
Despite not having a royal title, Sir Tim was titled Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and became a personal aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II after marrying Princess Anne.
A source close to King Charles described his preference for having working royals on the balcony, stating, “The King has been very clear about who he wants to represent the monarchy.
This is a state occasion, not a family occasion.
It is only right that only working members of the royal family are present at this significant public moment.”
Joining the working royals on the balcony next month will be the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex.
The couple spent a considerable amount of time with the Queen in her final days, and at the King’s request, some of the Queen’s most trusted and loyal servants and family members will also be included.
The Duke of Kent, Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin, along with Prince Philip and his sister Princess Alexandra, will attend.
Additionally, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have been invited by the King to join him and Queen Camilla.
The coronation ceremony for Charles and Camilla at Westminster Abbey will include many of the same elements witnessed during the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The crown, the sceptre, and the anointing with scented oils will serve to remind the world of the history, tradition, and mystique embodied by the monarchy.
However, the ceremony is expected to be shorter, lasting no more than an hour, and will incorporate various elements aimed at embracing the diverse communities that constitute the UK and the Commonwealth.
What are your thoughts on this news?
Share your opinions in the comments, and stay tuned for more updates on royal news and analysis.
Goodbye for now!