Prince William 'will take active role in planning King's coronation'

Prince William will reportedly take an active role in planning King Charles III's coronation to ensure it doesn't feature any "archaic, feudal or imperial" elements.

Prince of Wales, 40, is expected to help set the tone for the scaled-back event in May next year as he is understood to be particularly keen for it to reflect modern Britain.

The planning process will mark the first time an heir has played an active role in a coronation in three generations.

Charles was just four when his mother was crowned and the late Queen was 11 at the time of her father's coronation. As such, neither played a formal role in proceedings.

Prince William will help plan his father's coronation, it is reported (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

But William, Charles' eldest son, is likely to hold an active advisory position in addition to taking part in the coronation itself next year.

According to The Telegraph, discussions are underway as to how the royal palace can modernise and shorten the event while also ensuring it captures the significance of the occasion.

Buckingham Palace, though, is yet to confirm who will partake in the coronation committee.

Prince of Wales, pictured with the Duke of Sussex, is believed to want the coronation to reflect modern Britain (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Royal sources have previously said officials had never seriously considered the ins and outs of the event to ensure it would best reflect the "climate at the time in which it happens".

But the coronation will see the eyes of the world once more turn onto the UK.

It'll take place on a Saturday and it is "unlikely" a bank holiday will be added to the weekend to mark the occasion. It will also take place on the fourth birthday of Harry and Meghan's son, Archie.

Charles and William pose for a photograph alongside Camilla, Queen Consort and Princess of Wales (BUCKINGHAM PALACE/AFP via Getty)

Speaking last month, Buckingham Palace said: "The Coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry."

It is believed the guest list will be slashed by a three quarters and a less formal dress code will be set for the occasion. Peers may possibly be allowed to wear lounge suits rather than ceremonial robes.

William and his family are pictured at Trooping The Colour, a royal event that typically involves over 1,400 guardsmen and cavalry (Getty Images)

Ancient and time-consuming rituals - including presenting the monarch with gold ingots - are also set to be axed to save time.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says the date itself will have been chosen after consultation with "the Government, the Church of England and the Royal Household".

Palace insiders have assured while the event will be smaller than the Queen's coronation, it will not be devoid of pageantry, reports suggest.