What We Know About King Charles' Coronation Balcony Line-Up
King Charles III's coronation is just around the corner, and with the invitations sent and the guest list coming together, it's definitely going to be a day to remember. But, like any family, the royals have their fair share of familial politics and the coronation has certainly not been immune to the drama.
We can hardly talk about the coronation without addressing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ongoing rift with the members of the firm. Largely carving their own life in the United States, Harry and Meghan's presence at the coronation is still touch and go — though invited, they have yet to confirm their attendance and reportedly have a list of demands regarding their attendance. The coronation is, after all, taking place on the same day as Prince Archie's birthday. Still, don't expect to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the royal family following the day's main event, as that display of royal unity is saved for a select few.
As it stands, those waving to the crowd from the balcony are King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort; Prince William and Princess Catherine; Prince George and Princess Charlotte (and maybe Prince Louis); Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence; Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; and the Duke of Kent and his sister, Princess Alexandra. Here's a breakdown of who is invited to the balcony, and who got snubbed.
Included: Prince William and Princess Catherine
Naturally, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, will be the focal point of the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance following the coronation. Right beside them, however, will be Prince William and Princess Catherine, who are — if public polling has anything to say — far more popular than their older counterparts (via YouGov). Many members of the Commonwealth see William and Catherine as the future of the monarchy, and as William is the direct heir to the British throne, it's no surprise that he will be in a very visible role on coronation day. Catherine, meanwhile, is one of the most approved members of the royal family overall and is often seen as a level-headed and graceful part of the bunch to whom the public can relate.
Speaking of his son in his first address as king, Charles highlighted William's heightened importance within the family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, bestowing the Prince and Princess of Wales titles on William and Catherine respectively.
"As my heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me," Charles said at the time (via Harper's Bazaar). "With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations helping, to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given." Certainly, the two will be front and center on the balcony.
Not included: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In a stark left turn to Prince William and Princess Catherine are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who are said to not be included in the Buckingham Palace balcony gathering following the coronation. Though they are invited to the coronation, they will not be stepping out with the rest of the family to greet the crowds of people outside the palace gates, likely thanks to their rather distanced relationship with the family and the ways in which they've shed an honest light on royal life.
Speaking of not only the palace balcony appearance but their roles on coronation day, Dr. Tessa Dunlop explained to GB News that as he is the son of the reigning monarch, Harry might have a bit more of a highlighted role during the event. Meghan, meanwhile, will likely be forced into the background (or as much as the royals can get away with).
"With a father-King who wants both his sons by his side, expect to see Harry there but minus a coronet and robe," Dunlop said. "With the exception of Prince William, at this coronation peers of the realm will not be paying homage to the new king so it is unlikely that Harry will have to go down on bended knee. Likewise if Meghan attends, any coronation finery will be entirely her own. Expect very few to stand on ceremony for the Duchess of Sussex."
Included: Prince George and Princess Charlotte
As their parents will have a huge presence on coronation day, it's no wonder that Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be on the Buckingham Palace balcony following their grandfather's big event. In fact, George — who is the second in line to the British throne — will have a big role during the coronation itself, as he will serve as one of the Pages and carry King Charles III's ceremonial robes. "We're all very excited about Prince George's role in the coronation," a spokesperson for Kensington Palace told ABC News. "It will be an incredibly special moment."
Still, as with any big royal event, whispers about what's really going on behind closed doors have cropped up, especially when it comes to George's responsibilities on the day. Tom Quinn, a royal commentator, told Express that he's heard from sources that Prince William and Princess Catherine have been arguing over George's role on the day, as there are concerns that all the attention, crowds, and heightened spotlight could be overwhelming for the 9-year-old.
"There is a bit of an argument going on about whether George should play a more formal role," Quinn said. "I've heard that Kate and William are worried that it will be too much for him." Still, no matter what role George plays during the ceremony, fans can expect to see him on the balcony alongside his sister and parents (we'll get to Prince Louis in a bit).
Not included: Prince Andrew
This doesn't come as a huge shock, but another royal who won't be included on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the coronation of King Charles III is his younger brother, Prince Andrew. Stripped of his military titles years ago and all but removed from royal life, Andrew came under intense scrutiny amid the sexual assault case lodged against him by accuser Virginia Giuffre. Claiming that she was trafficked for him by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew, Giuffre vocalized her experience and eventually settled with the prince outside of court — though his lawyers remained adamant that Andrew was innocent. As such, the prince — and the rumored favorite child of Queen Elizabeth II — is the outcast of the family and has not had a visible role as a royal since. This approach will extend to coronation day, and not only will Andrew not be on the balcony with the rest of the family, but he may be banned from wearing a designated ceremonial robe during the coronation itself.
"Andrew is furious. He's already not playing a part and now he feels he is being disrespected and dictated to over something he is fully entitled to [wear]," a source told the Mirror about Andrew's reaction to the reported news, which would stop him from wearing an outfit designating him as a member of the Order of the Garter. What he will wear remains to be seen.
Included: Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
As it became clear that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be exiting their roles as senior members of the royal family, another couple had to step up to the plate. Cue Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who are one of the most stable couples within the royal family and a very no-fuss pair to have around. Becoming more prominent as time went on, Edward and Sophie proved that they would be right up there with Prince William and Princess Catherine when it came to serving the crown. As such, they will be on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the coronation. In fact, Edward is said to be playing an important role in the ceremony as well. Dr. George Gross, Visiting Research Fellow in Theology at King's College London, explained that though not typical, Charles' sibling will be vital on the day.
"In terms of paying homage, that would be the key role that they may play," Dr. Gross told Express of the Duke of Edinburgh's role on coronation day. "I suspect they would be prominent. Whether they play a role ... they don't have to. There's nothing that says they have to.."
Being present on coronation day is just one way Edward has made himself more of a presence within the royal family as of late. Charles made him a Counsellors of State once he assumed the throne, allowing Edward to act as a stand-in whenever needed.
Not included: Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
As more information about the coronation becomes available, it's clear what members of the royal family are being snubbed when it comes to the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance. Despite being the daughter of a prince — and one of the late Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren — Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, will not be invited onto the balcony, as claimed by The Times. As King Charles III has continued to slim down the monarchy over time, the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance has been dubbed for working members of the firm only — as Eugenie is not a working member of the family and has had a career in the private sector, she has not been extended an invitation.
This is hardly the first time that Eugenie's status within the firm has been brought into question, however. When Charles immediately took the throne following his mother's passing, reports surfaced that Eugenie could lose her entire royal title, despite her father being Prince Andrew.
"Yes, there will be a change, and it could include downgrading Beatrice and Eugenie to the style of daughters of a Duke," royal expert Marlene Koenig told Express. "This was done in the 1917 Letters Patent for the great-grandchildren in the male line, which is why the present Duke of Gloucester and the present Duke of Kent (who are grandsons in the male line) are the last to have the HRH and Prince as their children are not royal."
Included: Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence
It wouldn't be a royal event without Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II's only daughter. She has become synonymous with the royal family given her dedication to the crown, and Dr. George Gross further commented on the role that Anne will play on the day of the coronation. In addition to appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony, she and her brother, Prince Edward, will play a vital role as their brother is being crowned.
"It's not critical [to have members of the Royal Family playing a role during the service] partly because of course if you go back in time there would not always be those figures around [the monarch], the key figures tend to be bishops or other set figures rather than Royal Family members," Dr. Gross told Express, highlighting just how special it is for King Charles III to have two of his siblings take part in the day's festivities.
Of course, Anne is one of the most prominent members of the royal family, trailing just behind her mother as the second-most approved royal (via YouGov) out of the bunch. She is also the hardest working, having carried out more royal engagements than any of her relatives in 2022. According to a count by Reboot SEO Company (via People), Anne carried out 214 events — no wonder she will have a special role come coronation day.
Not included: Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Not dissimilar to Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, will not be invited to the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside other members of the royal family after the coronation. She, of course, is invited to the actual ceremony but won't take part in the greeting of thousands of well-wishers alongside senior members of the firm.
This might not come as a huge blow to Beatrice, however, as she has routinely expressed her desire to live life outside of the confines of the royal family. Royal expert Richard Palmer commented on Beatrice specifically while appearing on "Royal Round-Up" noting that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's daughter made her decision a long time ago about forging her own path.
"The way it was presented at the time, which was roughly ... when they were preparing to leave university, was that they didn't want to be senior members," Palmer said of Beatrice and Eugenie. "I just don't see any future role for them, at all. I remember Beatrice saying to me, and to a couple of other royal correspondents, 'I want to do something else with my life, other than ribbon cutting.'" So while we may not see her on the balcony, it might be all the same to Beatrice, who clearly has carved a life for herself outside of the royal family.
Included: Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
Your first question might be, "I thought we already covered Prince Edward?" There is, as it turns out, another Prince Edward, and he too will be on the Buckingham Palace balcony come coronation day. This Edward is 87 years old as of publication and was the first cousin of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Also known as the Duke of Kent, Edward is said to be joined by his sister, Princess Alexandra, on the balcony come coronation day and his presence will mark the end of an era.
As we discussed previously, King Charles III has been keenly dedicated to a much smaller royal family, meaning that cousins or more distant family members will likely not enjoy senior roles or titles in the future. As such, Edward represents the end of the Elizabethan era as we know it, as a source told the Mirror that his balcony presence will be incredibly symbolic.
"The balcony moment will be the king's final presentation of a slimmed down monarchy, which of course will be even further slimmed down once the Gloucesters, Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra finally step away from public life and into their well earned retirements," the source said. "It is a final thank you for them and a nod to their support of his mother during her 70 year reign."
Not included: Sarah Ferguson
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, will not be spotted on the Buckingham Palace balcony come coronation day. Not only is she on the outskirts when it comes to the royal family, but she is divorced from the firm's outcast, Prince Andrew. Needless to say, King Charles III might not want his former sister-in-law waving to the crowds. And, as it happens, Sarah isn't even expecting to be invited to the coronation as a whole. That's right. Even though she's a duchess and a staple on the royal scene, she is likely going to sit the coronation out. While speaking about it during an appearance on ITV's "Loose Women" (via the Mirror), "Fergie" opened up about the possibility of not attending. Instead of bashing the royals — which she very much could have done — she instead sung their praises.
"I have known both the king and the queen consort since I was a child," she further told OK! magazine about Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort (via the Mirror). "I think if you look at the king's track record in areas like the environment, where he was decades ahead of his time, and the Prince's Trust, it's clear what an extraordinary man he is and how fortunate we are to have him on the throne."
Perhaps the Duchess of York is okay with sitting this event out.
Included: Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Among the royal family members representing the Elizabethan era coming to a close is Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. Similarly to the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, Richard will join the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony after King Charles III is crowned, and will wave to the crowds for what will likely be the last time as a senior member of the royal family. Though he is not a high-profile member of the firm, Richard has long been a staple on the royal scene and his connection to the late Queen Elizabeth II certainly cannot go unnoticed. As such, it's not entirely surprising that he will be on the balcony waving to the crowd.
As the royal website details about Richard, the Duke of Gloucester is Elizabeth's cousin and has worked as a full-time senior member of the firm for decades. He served the late queen both at home and abroad, representing her as the Commonwealth's head of state on his myriad of travels, all while dedicating himself to his own charity work. As of publication, the Duke of Gloucester is connected to more than 150 charities in Great Britain, and he has focused on a variety of issues including the well-being of veterans, the environment, and humanitarian concerns. As his time as a senior royal may be coming to a close soon, it's a touching nod to Richard that he be included in this royal occasion.
Not included: Prince Louis, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet
Here's something you might not have expected: Prince Louis — the youngest child of Prince William and Princess Catherine — might not be included on the Buckingham Palace balcony following King Charles III's coronation. He might join the likes of the "No" list, including his cousins Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who also won't be present.
Starting with Louis, a source told Page Six that William and Catherine are still weighing their options when it comes to the little one, who has been known as quite the scene stealer. Given his funny displays and facial expressions, such a rambunctious kiddo might not be the best person to have around during such a formal occasion. The decision is still pending as of publication, so time will tell.
As for Archie and Lilibet, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's two children have not been invited to the coronation at all – let alone the balcony appearance. Not that the two little ones would appear without their parents, but the coronation is the same day as Archie's birthday, so it'll be interesting to see what really goes down between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family on Charles' big day.