King Charles' coronation could be last public engagement for these senior Royals

King Charles has made the decision to only have working Royals accompany him on the Buckingham Palace balcony for his coronation. But 4 of them will step down after.

These senior Royals will step down after King Charles’ coronation
© Chris Jackson / Getty images
These senior Royals will step down after King Charles’ coronation

Charles will be crowned King on May 6 alongside his wife, Camilla, who will become the next Queen Consort. After making the controversial decision to exclude his nieces Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie from the balcony, we will see some of the older generation instead.

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Indeed, many of King Charles’ older relatives are still working Royals but do more of their work behind the scenes and out of the public eye. One of the confirmed older Royal to attend is the Duke of Kent, who was seen standing next to the late Queen during Trooping the Colour. Who are the other older Royals attending?

King Charles’ older relatives will be at the coronation

As reported by Mirror, the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra will attend King Charles’ coronation. The Duke of Kent, 87, and his sister, Princess Alexandra, 86, were the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s first cousins.

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According to reports, King Charles wants his late mother’s closest and most trusted family members to be by his side for his special day. It is also believed that the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will also attend the coronation.

Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, 78, and his wife, Brigitte, 76, were also the Queen’s first cousins.

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Queen Elizabeth’s cousins' final public engagement

Queen Elizabeth’s cousins have always been working Royals but have preferred to do their work away from the media and prefer a quieter life. Given their ages, it is believed that their appearance at King Charles’ coronation will be their final public engagement.

As reported by Mirror, a source told the magazine that the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra’s presence on the balcony will be decided on the day due to ‘individual health problems.’ They also added:

The balcony moment will be the King’s final presentation of a slimmed down monarchy, which of course will be even further slimmed down once the Gloucesters, Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra finally step away from public life and into their well earned retirements.
It is a final thank you for them and a nod to their support of his mother during her 70 year reign.

Sources used:

Mirror: ‘EXCLUSIVE: Coronation balcony moment 'will be a final thank you' to four key royals, reveals source’

Express: ‘King Charles to bid final farewell to four senior royals after Coronation balcony moment’

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