Three huge royals will be missing from the iconic royal deck as only working royals are allowed on balcony for King Charles' upcoming Coronation.
After the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, the monarch is set to make an appearance on the renowned Buckingham Palace balcony, where they will wave to the crowds.
These balcony appearances have traditionally included several members of the royal family, as the late Queen Elizabeth II frequently had her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren join her.
For this year's event, King Charles III has decided to appear with only his closest and most loyal family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for his coronation. As the King looks forward to a slimmed down monarchy, three major faces will be snubbed from the iconic balcony in May.
The King's decision to slim down the monarchy
According to the Mirror, King Charles III's decision to appear with just his closest and most loyal family members on the balcony during his coronation will show his vision of a slimmed-down monarchy. The selected group includes only the 'working' royals, who have dedicated their lives to public service. The King wants to express his gratitude to the nation through this select few, while also showing the heartbeat and future of his family.
During the platinum jubilee balcony appearance of the late Queen Elizabeth last year, only a limited number of individuals were in attendance, including Charles, Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children.
The full line-up of royals for the balcony moment
According to the Telegraph, the final group of 15 individuals who will be present on the balcony during King Charles III's coronation has been revealed. The Prince and Princess of Wales, the future king and queen, will appear with their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Also present will be Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, who spent a lot of time with the late Queen in the final years of her life.
Despite their days as working royals being numbered, the King has insisted on including some of his mother's most trusted and loyal servants and family members. These include the Duke of Kent, who is a working royal and first cousin of both the late Queen and Prince Philip, and his sister Princess Alexandra. Their attendance on the balcony will be confirmed on the day, owing to 'individual health problems'.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have also been asked by the King to join him and Camilla on the balcony. Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and the late Queen's first cousin, has been a full-time working member of the royal family for decades, while his wife Birgitte has attended national and international events for decades.
The only non-working royal to be invited
It has been announced that only members of the Royal Family who hold official roles will be permitted on the balcony, with the exception of Prince Anne's spouse, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Despite not carrying out official royal duties, Sir Tim has been a dedicated supporter of Anne's work and has earned the admiration of other members of the family, including the late Queen, who held him in high regard.
Additionally, Sir Tim was granted permission to appear on the balcony during Trooping the Colour and, while he did not receive a royal title upon marrying Princess Anne, he has since been honored with the title of Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and appointed as a personal aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II.
Harry and Meghan's absence
Noticeably absent from the list are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have not responded to an official invitation from the King. Rumours that the couple demanded to be included on the balcony have been dismissed as 'wide of the mark' by palace insiders. There have also been serious discussions as to whether the couple should lose their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
Additionally, disgraced Prince Andrew, who was forced to step back from royal life after being embroiled in a scandal, will also be excluded from the monarch's side during his big moment. The King's decision to exclude Prince Andrew from the event is seen as a clear indication of his intention to slim down the monarchy.
A source with knowledge of the plans revealed King Charles would make 'no room for sentiment':
'The King has been very clear who he wants to represent the monarchy. There is little room for sentiment, this is a State occasion, not a family occasion and it is right that only the working members of the family are there at the big public moment.'
Other members of the family who have been left out include Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who are the daughters of Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward's children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Read more:
⋙ Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's kids attend the coronation?
⋙ Camilla's forgotten grandchildren to take centre stage in King Charles' coronation
⋙ King Charles III: is Prince Harry welcome at the coronation?
