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The reigning royals of Europe will be putting their best foot forward as they too prepare for King Charles III’s Coronation on May 6. Among the 2,200 guests seated at Westminster Abbey will be King Charles’s invited counterparts from prestigious Royal households in Europe. They will all be attending to mark the occasion and to witness the special moment in history following Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation, in 1953.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Royal Commentator, Richard Fitzwilliams, said: “It’s a very impressive guest list of Royals. So many of the royal families in Europe are related. So, this is a question of a family get-together, something that protects goodwill.”
Mr Fitzwilliams described Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953 as “the most spectacular” royal event in history, stating “the eyes of the world were on Britain.”
He added: “This year is a more diverse ceremony that will represent contemporary Britain and will link back to other coronations over the centuries. The monarch is a symbol of continuity and national unity.”
King Charles is set to do away with tradition by inviting counterparts from around the world.
The Royal Commentator added: “It tended not to be the case that Kings and Queens attended the crowning of the British monarch, but protectorates did attend. It is a change that is very welcomed. This guest list shows there’ll be a substantial royal presence.”
As the eyes of the world focus on Britain once more on May 6, Express.co.uk has everything you need to know about the European royals attending the prestigious event.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, Monaco
Prince Albert II of Monaco, 65, and Princess Charlene, 45, were among the first foreign heads of state to confirm they would be attending King Charles’s Coronation.
The royal pair has long been one of Europe’s most high-profile couples. They married in Monaco in 2011 with a lavish three-day wedding celebration, in which Charlene styled a custom-made aquamarine Chanel suit.
The couple enjoys making appearances and cheering on competitors at prestigious sporting events, as Charlene is a former Olympic and world champion swimmer from South Africa. This month, they attended the ATP Masters Series tennis tournament final in Monte Carlo with their twin children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, both eight years old.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Spain
The Spanish Royal House has confirmed King Felipe VI, 55, and Queen Letizia, 50, are set to make the journey to London for the Coronation.
The royal couple married in May 2004 in the Almudena Cathedral at the Royal Palace of Madrid and Letizia’s gown was designed by Spanish fashion designer, Manuel Pertegaz.
The Spanish Queen formerly worked as a journalist before marrying Felipe and was already a household name having been a newsreader for Spanish TV channels. Her father was a journalist and her mother was a registered nurse and hospital union representative.
They have two daughters together, Princess Leonor 17, and Infanta Sofia, 15.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Norway
The Norwegian royals recently visited the UK where they were hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle, in March.
Crown Prince Haakon, 49, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 49, married in August 2001. They have two children together, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 19, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 17.
The royal couple both mark their 50th birthday milestones this summer and are hosting a party at the palace to commemorate the special occasions. To celebrate, they will also go on five trips around the country with each journey celebrating a part of old and new Norway.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, Denmark
Queen Margrethe II, 83, will be represented by her son and daughter-in-law, Crown Prince Frederik, 54, and Crown Princess Mary, 51 at the Coronation of her distant relative, King Charles.
The Danish Queen underwent “extensive” back surgery and is still recovering, which is why other royal family members will be in attendance at Westminster Abbey.
The couple married in 2004 and have since had four children, Prince Christian, 17, Princess Isabella, 16, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 12, who are often all seen on their royal balcony to mark prestigious occasions.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, The Netherlands
The Netherlands has just celebrated its own royal occasion with the country celebrating King Willem-Alexander’s birthday.
The Dutch marked the occasion by throwing huge street parties across the country for the King’s 56th birthday.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, 51, have three daughters together, Princess Catharina-Amalia, 19, Princess Alexia, 17, and Princess Ariane, 16, and the couple will be attending King Charles’s Coronation on May 6.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Belgium
Although the royal couple, King Philippe, 63, and Queen Mathilde, 50, will be attending the Coronation, their daughter and heir to the throne, Princess Elisabeth, 21, will join them in taking part in the reception at Buckingham Palace the evening before.
The couple are also proud parents of three other children, Prince Gabriel, 19, Prince Emmanuel, 17, and Princess Eléonore, 15.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria, Sweden
King Carl XVI Gustaf, 76, who celebrates his Golden Jubilee this year, is recovering from heart surgery but is planning to travel to London for the prestigious event.
He will be joined by his daughter and heir, Crown Princess Victoria, 45, rather than his wife, Queen Silvia, 79. The Crown Princess is often referred to as the “Godmother of Europe” because she has multiple godchildren.
Queen Annie-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal, Greece
Members of the Greek royal family will attend King Charles III’s Coronation.
Queen Anne-Marie, 76, will be joined by her son, Crown Prince Pavlos, 55, and daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, 54, for the historic ceremony.
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Luxembourg
On Valentine’s Day in 1981, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 67, married Grand Duke Henri, 68, at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg.
The Grand Duchess’s dress was a finely detailed gown from French designer, Balmain, featuring white fur cuffs, hems and neckline, with a two-metre train. The couple is said to be unaware it was a romantic holiday, as Valentine’s Day was not widely celebrated in Luxembourg at the time.
The couple were among the foreign royals who travelled to London to attend the late Queen’s funeral and they will be jetting to the Coronation on May 6 to see King Charles III crowned.
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