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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz

'My baby is due on the King's Coronation Day – I even considered naming him Charles'

King Charles III will officially be crowned in a magnificent and symbolic Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey tomorrow, on May 6.

While this is a momentous occasion for many people in the UK and Commonwealth countries – for others it's a huge day for other reasons.

For James Schadenberg and his wife wife Valerie, another event takes precedent – it's the due date of their first child.

The couple, who live in London, Ontario, Canada, where funnily-enough "almost everything is named after things in London, England", were a bit "surprised" when they realised their son could be born on the same day.

James and Valerie have been married since May 2022 (James Schandenberg)

Speaking to The Mirror, James, 25, said: "I was a bit surprised when I found out that my son's due to be born on the Coronation Day of King Charles III.

"It wasn't some big shock or anything, but it was something I felt was notable."

James said it would be "cool" if the baby was born on May 6 "because it would be a way of me to remember the day of the Coronation".

He added: "My birthday is a few days before then though, so I'm more just hoping I don't need to share my birthday with my son. He can arrive whenever he wants though".

James 'briefly' considered naming their son Charles (James Schandenberg)
James was 'surprised' when he realised the coincidence (James Schandenberg)

When the dad-to-be realised the dates overlapped, revealed he "briefly" considered naming him Charles, which he thinks is a nice moniker.

He explained: "When I saw the dates overlapped, I did briefly think 'oh, maybe I should name my son Charles if he's born on the 6th'.

"I do think Charles is a nice name, and it would be cute to have that extra bit of significance. But no, I'm not so obsessed with the Royal Family that I'd let King Charles III have that much influence on my name choice."

"Maybe if my wife or I had some strong British ancestry I'd consider it though," he added, explaining he has a Dutch and German background.

King Charles' Coronation takes place on May 6 (Getty Images)

Even though he deems himself "a bit of a royal fan," James won't be too sad if his son arrives on May 6, which would mean missing the Coronation.

He explained: "I didn't have to change any plans [because of the due date]. Maybe if I was in the UK I would've made some sort of plan, but really this event is completely overshadowed by baby."

Although James "didn't really grow up caring about the Royal Family," he's grown to "appreciate more the royal that the Royal Family has in" Canada.

He explained: "I think most Canadians understood that Queen Elizabeth II was queen of the UK, and that Canada just had some distant legal relationship with her due to us being part of the Commonwealth, but don't fully realise that she was officially the Queen of Canada as well, and that King Charles III is the King of Canada.

"Their role in assuring the political legitimacy of politicians and laws in Canada is just as important as it is in the UK.

"I personally believe the fact that Canada is a monarchy is as essential to having a Canadian identity as having Founding Fathers and a constitution is to an American's national identity."

During last year's celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, James ordered a pin from the Monarchist League of Canada to commemorate it.

He added: "At the time I didn't know that she wouldn't live to see the 71st year of her reign, and I was saddened by her death."

It's safe to say that this year, the event of the Coronation will be overshadowed by their new bundle of joy.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk

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