Inside Prince Charles’ coronation with ‘Camilla crowned alongside him and key Royals missing from balcony’

PRINCE Charles and Camilla will reportedly be crowned alongside one another when the time comes – in a largely scaled-down coronation.

Plans are said to be being drawn up for the event using the codename Operation Golden Orb.



Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, pictured at the State Opening of Parliament in 2013

Last week, the Queen declared it was her “sincere wish” for Camilla to become Queen Consort when her son becomes King. 

And Charles has made no secret that he favours a leaner and more modern monarchy when his time comes.

Of the future king’s coronation, a source told the Mail on Sunday: “It will be a slimmed-down Monarchy on display throughout.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see just Charles and Camilla, Kate and William and their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony afterwards.”

A source told the publication the service at Westminster Abbey will be markedly shorter and cheaper than it has been in the past.

And they added it will be “less expensive and more representative of different community groups and faiths”.

It’s believed the guestlist for the service will be limited to a maximum of 2,000 – a quarter of the contingent in 1953 – and there will also be fewer members of the Royal Family.

According to the Mail, the organising committee is shrouded in secrecy – although several key figures are said to have been driving discussions between the Palace, the Cabinet Office, the Church and the military, among others.

A spokesperson for Clarence House said: “The detailed planning for a Coronation begins at the point of accession.

“So there are no plans of this nature at this stage.”

But a source told the Mail: “There are binders and binders of paperwork on the accession and Coronation all stacked up and each has various appendixes. 

“It’s very complex. The Golden Orb committee used to meet twice a year but now they’re meeting much more frequently, sometimes once a month.

“Compared to the last Coronation, there will be a lot less fuss.”

The new plans will mark a radical change from the Coronation of Elizabeth II, who had been Queen for 16 months by the time of her lavish ceremony. 

A long carriage procession took more than 8,000 dignitaries to Westminster Abbey, while more than 40,000 troops were involved in the parade.

The ceremony, the first to be televised, lasted more than three hours and saw the Queen make several outfit changes.

Meanwhile, the Mail suggests Charles’ ceremony will be “shorter” to factor in his age.

There is no suggestion the Queen is unwell.

Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.



The Queen poses with Prince Philip before her coronation in 1953

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh waving from the balcony after Her Majesty’s Coronation

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial state Crown and carrying the Orb and sceptre, leaving the state coach and entering Buckingham Palace, after the coronation