Kate Already For Planning William's Coronation — and It'll Be Very Different From Charles'
Prince William has often spoken about his desire to modernize the monarchy, moving away from pomp and protocol. Kate Middleton is known to share his vision, with the couple keen to lead the country with empathy and respect. In that spirit, the Princess of Wales is already planning what William's future coronation might look like, one rooted in modernity without extravagant displays of wealth. By contrast, King Charles's coronation cost taxpayers around $90M, a scale of spending Middleton is reportedly looking to avoid.
According to IB Times, currently in remission from cancer after a 'brutal' year, the Princess of Wales is reportedly taking an active role in planning her husband's future coronation. Rather than standing on the sidelines, she is said to be 'quietly and carefully' overseeing the logistics of the ceremony. The proposed event at Westminster Abbey, under Middleton's vision, aims to respect centuries of tradition while stepping away from ostentatious and 'stuffy' displays of wealth. Most importantly, this more 'modern' coronation is expected to be far more mindful of the taxpayers' money.
Insiders also suggested that William and Middleton allegedly wish to cut down the roughly $90M cost of Charles's 2023 coronation. They reportedly believe that a simpler religious service and reception could cost only $15M, sending a message of relatability at a time when Britons continue to face a cost-of-living crisis. Moreover, a tradition likely to be dropped is the 'homage of the people,' a controversial moment when the public swears their loyalty to the monarch. A source close to William said, "There's no way he will go down that route." Instead, the ceremony is expected to focus on being 'unifying' and 'majestic' without appearing 'showy.'
While the ceremony under Middleton's plan will be more restrained, the necessary 'pomp and fanfare' essential to such a state occasion will remain, with a strong focus on the next generation. The couple's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will play prominent roles, reflecting a 'vertical line of succession.' Other senior members of the royal family, like Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and cousins such as Zara Tindall, will remain 'front and centre.' At the same time, the guest list will most likely exclude disgraced ex-royals Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson due to their past controversies with Jeffrey Epstein.
William's coronation guest list is also likely to be as drama-free as possible. Sources revealed that an invitation for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, is dependent on William's relationship with his brother at the time. If the current 'brutal' feud and tensions remain, the Prince of Wales may allegedly choose a ceremony free from the potential 'drama' of a public reunion.
Despite stepping down as a senior royal in 2020, the Duke of Sussex was present for Charles's coronation, while Markle stayed in California with their children.