Crown jewels! Kings and Queens from around the world unite for Charles’ coronation – as Charlene of Monaco and Letizia of Spain lead the glamour
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Monarchs from around the world made their way to Westminster Abbey today, to watch the coronation of King Charles.
In a break from tradition, King Charles added crowned royals to the guest list for this coronation, meaning a number of kings and queens were able to take part in the pageantry.
For centuries, convention dictated that no other crowned royals should attend the coronation of a British monarch, in a tradition that lasted for 900 years.
This was based on the idea that the sacred event should be an intimate exchange between the monarch and their people, in the presence of God. But Charles decided to move on, which marks one of the ways he has tried to modernise the ceremony, meaning his crowned friends, including European royals and rulers from Arab states made it onto the guest list.
Among the royals leading the glamour were Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Letizia of Spain, among others.
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Prince Albert of Monaco, who was the first European royal to confirm his attendance at the coronation, attended the event with his wife Princess Charlene
He was the first European royal to confirm his attendance at King Charles’ coronation, revealing the news at the end of January.
And Prince Albert of Monaco, 64, spoke fondly of the British king, whom he described as ‘a very educated man and someone with a great sense of humour’.
He also suggested he was looking forward to the event, telling PEOPLE magazine he was ‘certain that it’s going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one’.
He was accompanied by his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco.
The South-African Olympic swimmer’s marriage to Prince Albert has been plagued by controversy in recent times, with Albert admitting to two illegitimate children and Charlene spending a significant amount of time outside of Monaco.
However they put on a united front today, and entered the service together.
The pair share eight-year-olds Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco and Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès, however the twins were not with them today.
Princess Charlene was chic on in a two-piece trouser suit in cream. She donned a matching cream hat, worn atop her cropped hair.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Spain
The Spanish royals – Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe of Spain – were typically glamourous as they made they way to the Abbey today
Queen Letizia of Spain, who worked as a journalist before she married King Felipe, was in attendance today, with her husband King Felipe of Spain.
Felipe is a distant cousin of Charles: his mother, Queen Sofia, was a third cousin of the Queen and a first cousin once removed of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, who Felipe celled Aunt Lilibet, the Spanish royal wrote a touching letter to Charles.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, Jordan
Like many of the other royal women, Rania opted for a monochrome outfit, matching her midi-length, long-sleeved cream frock to her cream stiletto pumps
Queen Rania was also typically chic as she arrived at today’s ceremony with her husband King Abdullah.
Like many of the other royal women in attendance, she wore a monochrome outfit.
Her long-sleeved midi-length, which boasted long sleeves and a high neck, were perfectly paired with cream pumps.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Máxima
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked stylish in cream as she walked to the ceremony with her husband King Willem-Alexander
Queen Maxima attended alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander.
The 51-year-old opted for a pale dress in cream, which fell to just below her knees. The frock was accompanied by matching gloves, and a pale hat.
Maxima opted for towering heels, donning nude stiletto pumps, which matched the nude clutch bag she carried in one hand.
King Willem-Alexander is distantly related to King Charles – he was the Queen’s fifth cousin once removed thanks to an ancient connection in their family tree.
Willem-Alexander is a descendant of Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau, who was the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and his wife Anne, the eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his consort Caroline of Ansbach.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
Representing the Norwegian royals were Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The Norwegian royals share a close bond with the British royal family
There has long been a bond between the British and Norwegian royal families, which intensified after Germany visited Norway in 1940, and the royals came to stay in the UK.
Charles was names after the former King Haakon VII, who was known colloquially among friends and family as Carl, and called Uncle Charles by Queen Elizabeth.
Crown Prince Haakon is the great grandson of Haakon VII, and represented his family at the coronation today alongside his wife the Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Haakon donned ceremonial military attire for the event.
Meanwhile, Mette-Marit was elegant in pale pink, wearing a monochrome outfit with matching midi-dress, hat, gloves and stiletto pumps.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was in attendance today, accompanied by his wife Crown Princess Mary, who was resplendent in purple
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was in attendance today alongside his wife Crown Princess Mary.
Mary opted for a more colourful ensemble than some of the other royal women, opting for a vibrant purple outift.
She matched her coat dress, which fell to just below knee length, with a purple fascinator and stiletto heeled pumps.
Queen Margrethe – who is the only living European queen since the death of Queen Elizabeth – was unable to attend due to back surgery.
King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde
King Philippe of Belgium was one of the royal guests today, alongside his wife Queen Mathilde, who was effortlessly chic in pastel pink satin
The Queen’s distant cousin King Philippe of Belgium also attended the coronation, and was snapped walking in alongside his wife, Queen Mathilde.
Philippe is very distantly related to Charles, via King Christian IX of Denmark, known as the ‘grandfather of Europe’ due to his far-reaching family tree.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was the Christian’s great-great granddaughter, while Philippe is his great-great-great-grandson.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the service without their four children.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg donned ceremonial military garb for the event. Meanwhile his wife Maria Teresa opted for a trouser suit in midnight blue
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Maria Teresa were also guests at today’s ceremony.
Maria Teresa bucked the trend of wearing a midi-dress, and instead, opted for a stylish trouser suit in midnight blue. The garment boasted on-trend flared trousers and a long length blazer.
She opted for statement jewellery, opting for silver pieces including a necklace, bracelet, and brooch.
Today’s two-hour service, pared back Queen Elizabeth’s in 1953, is a pivotal moment in the history of the Royal Family, and will balance ancient tradition and a future in the 21st century.
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