Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday that Prince George, the nine-year-old son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, has been given a prominent role as Page of Honour in King Charles III's coronation ceremony. Alongside three other boys of similar age, Prince George will be part of His Majesty's procession through Westminster Abbey. The other pages include Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Master Nicholas Barclay, and Master Ralph Tollemache, who will help carry His Majesty's robe.
Queen Consort Camilla will also have her own Pages of Honour, consisting of her three grandsons, Master Gus and Master Louis Lopes, Master Freddy Parker Bowles, and her great-nephew, Master Arthur Elliot.
This news comes after reports that Prince William and Kate Middleton had concerns about their son being "scrutinised" during the ceremony. According to the Mirror, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wanted to avoid subjecting Prince George to overwhelming scrutiny.
Royal historian Hugo Vickers commented that having the young royal involved in the ceremony is a departure from coronation tradition, which typically excluded future heirs. Vickers noted that Prince George's role "sends all the right symbolism for the future and gives him something he will always remember."
Prince George's siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are also expected to be part of the congregation. Fellow historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop stated, "George alongside siblings Charlotte and Louis will be a big visual pull at the coronation - just as Prince Charles was at his mother's."
In addition to the announcement of the Pages of Honour, Buckingham Palace released a new photo of His Majesty and Queen Consort Camilla in preparation for the upcoming ceremony.
The Palace also unveiled the invitations to be sent to 2,000 guests, confirming that Queen Consort Camilla will be known as Queen Camilla following the coronation. The artwork for the invitation was designed by heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator Andrew Jamieson, whose work is inspired by Arthurian legend.
The invitation features several symbolic elements, including the Green Man, an ancient figure from British folklore representing spring and rebirth; the emblematic flowers of the United Kingdom; and wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and birds. The flowers appearing in groups of three signify King Charles III as the third monarch with the same name.
The coronation is set to take place at London's Westminster Abbey on May 6.
