The coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla was considered a huge success by most everyone who watched it. All senior members of the Royal Family members attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, including Prince Harry, who flew in to see his father become king.
Prince William and Kate Middleton also had the privilege of having all three of their children on hand for the occasion, with Prince Louis being deemed old enough to attend a major royal event for the first time.
Interestingly, though, William and Kate’s late arrival to Westminster Abbey certainly seemed to annoy King Charles a bit. By all accounts, the rehearsals for the ceremony had gone well, and the margin for error regarding timing was close to zero.
At the end of the ceremony, the guests, including the royals, were to bow to Charles and Camilla as they made their way towards the entrance and their awaiting carriage. According to royal expert Tom Bower, however, Kate had other plans, and refused to curtsy. In fact, it’s now being claimed that she was all but happy with what Camilla had done.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have returned to work following a very stressful time. After their historical coronation weekend, the royal couple took some well-deserved days off to rest. Prince Willian and Kate Middleton, on the other hand, decided to carry on with their royal duties.
Since her entrance onto the royal scene, Kate Middleton has become very popular among royal fans. It seems she takes on a more prominent role each year; many believe she will make a fabulous queen one day.
Kate Middleton reportedly played part in keeping Meghan out of coronation
Despite her widespread popularity, reports suggest that Kate has had tensions with certain members of the Royal Family behind closed doors. Not only has Meghan Markle allegedly experienced Kate’s disapproval, but according to an expert, Queen Camilla has also faced similar issues.
While rumors initially questioned his participation, Prince Harry ultimately attended his father’s coronation. Reports indicate that he left for the US immediately after King Charles and Queen Camilla exited Westminster Abbey. Meghan, on the other hand, stayed in the US with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Some might wonder if Meghan’s decision to stay behind was simply a practical choice for the Sussex family.
Royal expert and author Tom Bower claims that Kate Middleton played a role in ensuring Meghan’s absence, stating she didn’t “under any circumstances” want Meghan to attend.
“I think we must all be grateful that Kate, in the end, I think, prevented Meghan coming and said she wouldn’t have her there under any circumstances,” Bower said during an appearance on GB News, as reported by Express.
The expert also alleged that Kate warned Meghan she’d have to “sit in the back” if she chose to attend.
Meanwhile, a royal source told Page Six that Meghan felt attending the coronation would have been “inauthentic.”
“They had to make a decision that felt genuine and authentic, especially after everything that has been said and all the things that have gone down,” an insider familiar with the family said.
Coronation day – Queen Camilla’s large family gathering
The coronation saw numerous high-profile guests, including foreign royals, heads of state, and celebrities, gathering in Westminster Abbey. Among them were members of Queen Camilla’s family, who rarely appear at such events.
Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles attended with their children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, as well as several of their grandchildren. Camilla, a grandmother of five, was accompanied by Tom’s children, Lola and Freddy, and Laura’s three kids, Eliza and twins Gus and Louis. Three of Camilla’s grandchildren even served as Pages of Honor.
Victoria Murphy, ABC’s royal correspondent, noted that the coronation marked a significant moment for Camilla’s family.
“Camilla’s family are very much front and center at this event, and that is interesting as this is a state occasion, and they are usually totally private,” she said.
“Camilla’s family being so involved and visible does send, I think, a message about just how important she is to Charles’ reign and very much reminds us that this is their Coronation, not just his.”
Reports of Kate Middleton’s frustration with Queen Camilla
Kate Middleton, meanwhile, had just four family members present at Westminster Abbey: her sister Pippa Middleton, brother James Middleton, and parents Carole and Michael Middleton.
The large presence of Camilla’s family reportedly didn’t sit well with everyone. According to Tom Bower, there were apparent tensions between Kate and Camilla on coronation day, stemming from the number of Parker Bowles family members allowed to attend.
“Camilla brought twenty Parker Bowles’ to the coronation, and there were four Middletons,” Bower said on Dan Wootton Tonight.
Bower also highlighted that during the Windsor concert the following day, Prince William didn’t mention Queen Camilla, suggesting potential tension.
The expert claimed this dynamic placed King Charles in a precarious position, describing Queen Camilla as “exhausted” and Kate as “behaving like the Queen.”
Bower further alleged, “Nobody moved a muscle” when Queen Camilla left the Abbey.
“Nobody curtsied to Camilla”
“If you look at the Coronation footage, as the King and Queen leave the thrones and head for the exit of Westminster Abbey, you’ll see that everyone bows and curtsies to the King and no one moves a limb, a muscle when Camilla passes,” Bower said.
“And that’s because they were angry with her. No one moves. Kate and William were angry too. That anger went right through that small part of the congregation by the throne at the center of Westminster Abbey. And in that moment, it was absolutely noticeable to those people who had been excluded that nobody – let alone Kate – curtsied to Queen Camilla.”
Camilla’s grandchildren played notable roles in the coronation, serving as Pages of Honor. However, royal expert Kinsey Schofield suggested that Camilla may have veered too far from tradition by giving them such significant roles.
“The Royal Family’s value is in their traditions. Traditions and ceremonies that the world envies. When they sway too far from those customs, you will anger and disappoint a significant amount of people that feel like those actions strip away at the mystique,” Schofield said.
Despite the spotlight on Camilla’s grandchildren, Schofield believes they won’t generate much interest among royal fans.
“Camilla’s popularity may have increased, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be any interest in her grandchildren,” she said.
“Nepo babies obviously exist, but if you look at the success of Princess Diana’s nieces, Ladies Kitty Spencer, Amelia Spencer, and Eliza Spencer… they all share a striking resemblance to their Aunt Diana, who is universally adored.”
Prominent coronation role for Camilla’s grandchildren
Camilla’s grandchildren played a significant role in the coronation, marking a historic day that royal fans will always remember. The event also brought Camilla’s grandchildren into the intense spotlight of the monarchy.
While Camilla’s family has had ties with the Royal Family for years, it seems that only recently have the two families spent more time together, particularly regarding Charles and Camilla’s grandchildren.
King Charles, like Camilla, has made considerable efforts to build a relationship with his step-grandchildren. Six years ago, Camilla shared details about the bond between her grandchildren and her husband.
“When we are with my husband in Scotland, he reads them Harry Potter,” Camilla said. “And he does all the voices, because he is a brilliant mimic. They sit spellbound. They love it.”
“I love being with them”
Camilla’s grandchildren have attended several significant royal events beyond the coronation. For instance, Gus, Louis, and Eliza—who was the youngest bridesmaid at Prince William and Princess Kate’s 2011 wedding—joined the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham last year.
While Eliza had her moment to shine at William and Kate’s wedding, it was her younger twin brothers who took center stage at the coronation, participating in a historic event.
Speaking about her grandchildren previously, she shared, “I love being with them, eating together, going to see a film or a play. They’re great enthusiasts. And it’s always nice to be in touch with that generation because it keeps you abreast of young people’s feelings and ideas.”
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