Prince George and King Charles.Photo: David Fisher/Shutterstock
Prince Georgeis making history atKing Charles' coronation.
The second in line to the British throne played a prominent role in thecrowning ceremonyat Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday as aPage of Honor. Serving alongside seven other pages for King Charles andQueen Camilla,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton’s 9-year-old son processed through the Nave of Westminster Abbey during the coronation.
Prince George’s coronation participation marks the first time inmodern royal historythat a future monarch is officially involved in such a service. According toThe Telegraph, George becomes the youngest future king to play an official role in a crowning ceremony. While his grandfather King Charles and great-grandmotherQueen Elizabethsimilarly attended their parents' coronations in 1953 and 1937 as children, they only watched the service.
ROYALS:How Prince George Will Make History at His Grandfather King Charles' Coronation
Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images
Gus and Louis, 13, are the twin sons of Camilla’s daughterLaura Lopes, and 13-year-old Freddy is the son ofTom Parker Bowles, Camilla’s son. Arthur is the son of her nephew Ben Elliot, and grandson of her sister, Annabel Elliot.
“It’s a lovely idea to involve their own family members in these roles, rather than having aristocrats' sons and daughters doing it. It is all part of the inclusivity of the family and strengthens their bonds,” royal author Hugo Vickers previously toldThe Timesof King Charles and Queen Camilla bringing their loved ones into the crowning ceremony.
“Bringing George in also sends all the right symbolism for the future and gives him something he will always remember,” he added.
Buckingham Palace previously said that King Charles and Queen Camilla’s crowning would welcome modern elements while honoring nearly a thousand years of royal tradition.
“The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry,” the palace said.
BBC
Before the big day,Prince George’s involvement was a subject of family discussion behind the scenes as his parents juggled the unique honor with the pressure it might put on their son’s shoulders.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson says, “We’re all very excited aboutPrince George’s role in the coronation, it will be an incredibly special moment.”
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Prince George.Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images
Prince Williamand Princess Kate are “cognizant that he is old enough to understand what’s going on,” a royal source told PEOPLE. But they’re mindful that normal life resumes when George is back at school next week, where the weekend’s events will likely be the talk of his classmates.
“His parents are very excited and delighted that he is a page,” a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales tells PEOPLE. “It’s something that his parents have thought long and hard about and are very much looking forward to — and I’m sure George is too.”
source: people.com
