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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kieren Williams

King Charles welcomes royals from around the world for big celebration before Coronation

King Charles has welcomed royals across the world for a big celebration before his Coronation.

With just one day to go before the historic event, some of the most prominent and notable figures from across the world have started descending on London.

That includes royals from all over the world, and their presence is partly responsible for the massive £150million security operation across the King’s Coronation.

Among the throng of dignitaries and foreign royals was Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, continuing the tradition of the country’s presidents not attending.

Albert II Prince of Monaco and Charlene Princess of Monaco were amongst the blue-blooded guests (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain were snapped at the reception for overseas guests held at Buckingham Palace (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Dressed in pink, she was photographed with Akshata Murty, wife of Rishi Sunak, who came under fire for her tax status last year.

Along with her granddaughter Finnegan Biden, Jill visited a central London primary school and Minister for Veterans’ Affair Johnny Mercer.

The First Lady of the United States, Dr Jill Biden, before a meeting with Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at 10 Downing Street (PA)
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission was one of the non-royal attendees today (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Royals from Liechtenstein, Spain, Norway, Romania, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, and Luxembourg were all snapped today attending the royal event for overseas guests held at Buckingham Palace.

Kate Middleton was snapped chatting to guests at the event including the US' First Lady and her granddaughter.

The Princess of Wales also spokes to royals from Denmark as Europe's nobility was out in force.

The Princess of Wales speaks talks with Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, during the reception at Buckingham Palace (PA)

The reception gives the Royals an opportunity to welcome their guests ahead of the service at Westminster Abbey tomorrow - but not everyone in attendance this evening will be present tomorrow.

It gives some royals a chance to be apart of history, even if they won't be at the Coronation itself.

For example, for the Belgian royal family, the 21-year-old future queen and Oxford University student Princess Elisabeth accompanied her father King Philippe, to the reception, but tomorrow his will be joined by his wife Queen Mathilde.

Among the 2,000 guests tomorrow there will be royals from nine European monarchies, the royal families of Jordon, Thailand, Tonga and Bhutan, the imperial house of Japan, the Māori king, and a number of former royal houses.

Hereditary princess Sophie of Liechtenstein was pictured with her partner prince Alois.

The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, Frederik and May, were also in attendance this afternoon.

King Charles speaking with Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia during the reception at Buckingham Palace (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As was Margareta of Romania, and Prince Radu of Romania.

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited from Japan for the historic weekend.

King Philippe of Belgium travelled over with Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant and Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were spotted as well.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg were present at the reception (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark enjoyed the reception the day before King Charles' Coronation (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Alongside them, presidents and leaders from Brazil, Brunei, Bhutan, the First Lady of Ukraine, and more all attended the reception.

This comes as the countdown to the long-awaited Coronation is all but over.

King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales shocked crowds earlier today by carrying out a surprise walkabout on the Mall.

Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein and Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein were at the who’s who of foreign royals and world leaders (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Crown Princess Kiko was amongst the gathered crowds to celebrate King Charles' Coronation on the evening of Friday 5 May (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

They came out in front of Buckingham Palace to greet wellwishers who had gathered on the eve of the Coronation.

The road leading to the Palace was cleared and royal fans eagerly lined the route, having likely figured out that they may well catch a glimpse of the King due to the security and media presence.

People cheered and could be heard shouting God Save the King.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were at the event hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
Queen Rania of Jordan and King Abdullah II (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

The trio took time to shake hands with members of the public as people cheered, took selfies and sang God Save the King.

It came after a lunch was held at the Palace for realm prime ministers and governors general, which was attended by working members of the Firm.

Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (UK Press via Getty Images)
King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Guests arrived in the white drawing room before a drinks reception in the music room followed by lunch in the blue drawing room.

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