The VIP guest list for the coronation of King Carlos III

On Saturday, May 6, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first son, Charles, will be crowned king in the United Kingdom. About 2,000 people will be in attendance at London’s Westminster Abbey. It is a small number, compared to the more than 8,800 guests who were in 1953. This is because Carlos III is trying to “reduce” the monarchy itself.

The monarch decided that the guests at his coronation would be chosen “not by the aristocracy, but by the meritocracy”.. In this way he removed from the list hundreds of nobles from families who historically claim certain prerogatives at the coronation. Instead, there will be key figures in British society, from diverse ethnic, religious, backgrounds and occupations, and palace officials have had to apologize to some who expected to be invited.

VIP guests

British Royal Family

Led by Prince William and Princess Kate, Carlos III’s family will attend the ceremony from a spot near the abbey’s altar. The princes are accompanied by their children: George and Carlota, as Luis, age 5, has not been confirmed. The King’s siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will also be seen with their spouses and children.

A total of 15 members of the “working” royal family will take to the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the crowned king greets the crowd. However, between them Prince Hendrik and Prince Andrew will not be there.

prince henry

Estranged from most members of his family after he resigned from royal duties and made controversial public accusations against the royal family. The 38-year-old prince will attend the ceremony, but without the company of Meghan Markle and her children.

Queen Camilla’s family

The next of kin of the new queen will be present. At the altar will be his children, food writer Tom Parker Bowles and art curator Laura Lopes. Also in attendance are the Queen’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, and the Queen’s sister, Annabel Eliott. Likewise, grandchildren are twins Gus and Louis, sons of Laura, and Freddy, son of Tom.

Members of the UK Government and UK Parliament

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty will attend the coronation along with cabinet members. Around 80 members of the Upper and Lower Houses of the British Parliament will also be present.

Northern Ireland’s Nationalist-elected Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill will attend the coronation, despite her party’s traditional opposition to the monarchy.

World leaders and royals from other countries

Dozens of world leaders will join Carlos III at the event. Among them the French president Emmanuel Macron; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier; Polish President Andrzej Duda; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr; and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

Other international royalty will be in attendance: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain; King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium with their daughter, Crown Princess Elizabeth; King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; King Willem and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands with their daughter Catherine Amalia; Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway also confirmed to be present; Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark; Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan; Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco; and King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.