At king’s coronation, royal grandchildren charm audiences with yawns, waves
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LONDON — King Charles III was crowned in front of thousands in Westminster Abbey — but it was his young heirs who charmed social media. The first sight of the king in his ermine robe as he emerged from the Diamond Jubilee State coach, included a glimpse of his 9-year-old grandson, Prince George, who stood dutifully behind him, clad in royal red.
Looking nervous but stoic, George — eldest son of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is now second in line to the throne — along with three other boys helped to lift his grandfather’s train as they entered the church, at times biting his lip.
George played a central role in the big day, seated behind the king and in line of the camera for much of the ceremony — one he will probably take part in himself one day.
His brother, Prince Louis, 5, who spawned memes for covering his ears during a flyover during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee last year, let out an epic yawn during the coronation ceremony.
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The coronation — the first in 70 years — was attended by heads of state, diplomats, lawmakers and religious figures. The almost two hours of hymns, pageantry and prayer was perhaps too much for the young prince, who shuffled in his seat as it drew on.
Later, on the Buckingham Palace balcony with senior royals, Louis could be seen drumming his hands on the wall before breaking into a two-handed wave, to his family’s amusement.
Prince Louis appears to be getting slightly bored with all this pic.twitter.com/Yvhr6xcjuC — Julian Druker (@Julian5News) May 6, 2023
His sister, 8-year-old Princess Charlotte, entered the church Saturday clasping Louis’s hand like a sensible older sister — which many online dubbed “adorable.”
She wore a sparkling Alexander McQueen flower headband to match her mother’s and steadfastly followed along with the readings.
Charlotte is third in line to the throne, while Louis is fourth.
Royal watchers were not afforded a visual reunion of brothers William and Harry at their father’s ceremony.
Harry was seated a few rows back with his cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband, with his view apparently partly obscured by a feather in the hat of his aunt, Princess Anne.
Harry’s wife, Meghan, remained in California. The couple’s son Archie, turned 4 on Saturday.
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Relations between Harry and his brother have been strained since his blistering biography “Spare” was published this year. In the book, Harry details a physical fight between them and accuses William of name-calling his wife, Meghan.
Harry also did not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony, as only “working” royals made an appearance.
William, as heir to the throne, was seated in the front row and briefly took center stage as he kissed his father’s ring, knelt and pledged allegiance. Catherine paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by wearing a pair of her diamond earrings for the event.
From elaborate robes to floral crowns, royals wore an array of colorful outfits for the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III. (Video: The Washington Post)
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Source: The Washington Post
