King Charles made last-minute changes to the Queen’s funeral procession so crowds could see him “properly”, it is claimed.
It had been in the planning since the 1960s, but His Majesty wanted amendments in the final days.
He was particularly worried about the position of the horses in the procession and was concerned that he, and other senior royals who were walking behind the coffin, may have to dodge horse poo.
One royal source said: “Charles felt he wouldn’t be seen properly and that either he ought to be on horseback or, if he was walking, then the horses should move back.
“There was also the issue of ‘Would the new King end up having to sidestep horse muck?’ which would not be appropriate.”
Official plans laid out by Buckingham Palace were publicly announced four days before last Monday’s State funeral.
They specifically stated that horses would be ridden behind the Queen’s coffin as it left Westminster Abbey to be pulled to Wellington Arch after the service.
But after the King’s intervention these plans were shelved. The horse no longer walked before the Royal party, with some of the animals moved further back in the procession.
The King’s decision proved a wise one. Bands and members of the military had to step over piles of poo.
Sand was even laid on the roads outside Westminster Abbey to ensure the horses and carriages did not slip.
