At the coronation of King Charles III last May, a timing hiccup occurred when King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived early at Westminster Abbey, while Prince William, Princess Kate, and their two youngest children were delayed. This unexpected turn of events led to a brief logistical adjustment at the historic event.
In his book “The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy,” royal author Robert Hardman provides a detailed account of the situation. According to tradition, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were supposed to enter the venue eight minutes ahead of the King and Queen. However, they ended up being one and a half minutes late, a delay that went unnoticed by those present in the abbey.
The incident added a layer of tension to an already strict schedule. King Charles III, as recorded by Sky News, expressed his vexation with the timing issue, remarking, “We can never be on time… There’s always something… This is boring.” This event underscores the intense pressures of continuous media attention.
The reasons for the delay are varied, as revealed by Hardman’s sources. Some speculate that the Prince and Princess of Wales’ coronation video filming may have caused them to be late. Conversely, some aides attribute the delay to the King’s early arrival, which disrupted the planned order of the procession.
Consequently, the event planners had to swiftly modify the entry sequence. Instead of preceding, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, followed the King and Queen.
Despite these initial challenges, the coronation continued without further complications. Prince William honored his father, indicating his position in the line of succession. Notably, Prince George served as a Page of Honor, making history as the first future monarch to hold an official role in a coronation service.
The day concluded with Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children accompanying King Charles III on the Buckingham Palace balcony, highlighting their significant roles in the evolving royal family.