King Charles is set not to wear the traditional silk stockings and breeches for his coronation after reportedly being told they look too old fashioned.
While the monarch is believed to be keen on pomp and ceremony to promote the UK for when he is crowned, it appears as though he is ready to forego the outfit which is steeped in centuries of tradition.
Instead he is preparing to wear a military uniform for the coronation that will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
He is still though expected to wear ermine fur and have on the Imperial State Crown and St Edward’s Crown at different points of the ceremony.
It comes with talk that the guest list is going to be slashed to 2,000 from the 8,000 who crammed into the church for the late Queen’s 1953 coronation.
Charles, 74, was ready to put on the silk stockings and breeches worn by previous kings on their coronation like his grandfather George Vl, great-grandfather George V and Edward Vll before them who were all pictured wearing the gear.
But it is reported that Palace aides have said it would not be the right look as it would appear outdated.
A Sun source said: “Though some of the more long-winded elements of the coronation will be moved aside or modernised, the King was happy to wear the breeches and stockings. But in discussion with senior aides they are saying he should not wear them, so will arrive in a military uniform instead.
“It is largely to do with modernising the coronation and stripping away the stuffiness. They think having a 74-year-old King arriving in stockings and breeches in 2023 looks too dated. They are probably right.”
Instead Charles could wear a military outfit like the Admiral of the Fleet which he put on for State Opening of Parliament last year.
The King's coronation will be a chance to "showcase the very best of the United Kingdom", the Cabinet also heard last month
Plans for the ceremony in May were considered as Rishi Sunak chaired the final Cabinet meeting of 2022.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Palace leads broadly on the programme. This will be a significant planning event.
"We are expecting a huge number of foreign heads of state, international dignitaries and of course there will be a huge amount of involvement from the public as well.
"There is a massive planning element to this which will involve not just police forces but work across all government departments."
