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Prince William to have a significant role in King Charles III’s coronation on May 6, in tribute to his father.
As per the official coronation liturgy itinerary shared on the Church of England’s website, Prince William, 40, will present King Charles III with the Stole Royal and the Robe Royal at Westminster Abbey during the ceremony. This will take place after Charles takes the oath and is anointed, but before he receives the Sceptre and Rod and is crowned with St. Edward’s Crown.
According to the Church of England’s website, the Stole Royal and Robe Royal presented by Prince William to King Charles III during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey represent what the Sovereign has received from God. The website also mentions that a new Stole adorned with Christian iconography has been commissioned for the event.
The Robe Royal, also called the Imperial Mantle, was first used in King George IV’s coronation in 1821, as stated on the website of the Royal Collection Trust. The golden attire is adorned with embroidered foliage, crowns, fleur-de-lis, shamrocks, eagles, and other motifs. The robe was last worn at a coronation during the reign of Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
After the presentation of the items by William, the Bishop of Durham will vest the stole on Charles, following which the king will be clothed by William, the Baroness Merron, and the Assisting Bishops.
Prince William, along with his wife, Princess Kate, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will take part in the historic event on May 6 by joining other family members in the coronation procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Prince George will also serve as one of the four Pages of Honor, an important role in the ceremony.
Prince and Princess of Wales will be attending the coronation ceremony just a few days after their 12th wedding anniversary, which falls on April 29. The couple, who got married in 2011, marked the special day by sharing a new portrait of themselves on their joint Instagram account.
Two days prior, William responded to a young boy who mistakenly called him “the king” during a visit with Kate, 41, to the Dowlais Rugby Club in Wales. “No, I’m not — not me!” he hilariously responded, before clarifying to the child, “My father is.”
After Queen Elizabeth’s death at the age of 96 in September 2022, William became the first in line to the throne as his father took on the crown. His three children come after him in the royal line of succession, followed by his brother, Prince Harry.
The coronation will take place amidst tensions between the two brothers, as the release of Prince Harry’s explosive memoir, Spare, has caused a rift in the family. In the book, the 38-year-old Duke of Sussex made several startling disclosures about William, Charles, and other members of the royal family.
A royal expert, Nick Bullen, mentioned to Us Weekly on April 20 that there has been no communication between William and Harry in the run-up to their father’s coronation. However, another source has said that the two are expected to behave “professionally” during the event.
While acknowledging that they are brothers first and emotions are always present, the insider stated that William and Harry are expected to maintain a professional demeanor at the coronation. “They know how to act in front of the cameras,” the source said, noting that the brothers have been in the public eye for their entire lives.
In April, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry would attend the coronation without his wife, Meghan Markle, who will stay in California to celebrate their son Archie’s 4th birthday on the same day as Charles’ crowning. Harry and Meghan also share their 22-month-old daughter, Lilibet.
According to royal expert Nick Bullen, Harry will probably spend as little time as possible in London for the coronation and will prioritize being back in California for Archie’s birthday. Bullen also noted that Harry has expressed his desire to return to the United States that same day.
