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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Zahna Eklund

Royal butler spots subtle tributes to late Queen and Prince Philip in Coronation invites

King Charles' Coronation is set to take place on Saturday, and the event will be the first since His Majesty's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was coronated in 1953 - making it the first time many of us will see a coronation ceremony in action.

The late Queen sadly passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96, and according to one former Royal butler, King Charles has made sure to honour his mum - as well as his dad, Prince Philip, who died in 2021 - throughout the planning process for his upcoming coronation.

Grant Harrold explained that the invitations that were sent out for the Coronation included a subtle nod to Queen Elizabeth, as they featured forget-me-not flowers that the late monarch loved.

The expert also claimed that "one or two" of the hymns that are due to be performed at the ceremony are ones that both the late Queen and Prince Philip were known to enjoy.

The late Queen and Prince Philip will both have subtle tributes within the Coronation (Getty Images)

Speaking on the talk show series Red or Black, Grant explained: "As far as a tribute goes, there's already subtle things that are being done, the invitations that were sent out, there were some forget-me-not flowers. They were something the Queen loved, they were on her coffin at her funeral, and obviously, the detail they put into the invitations reflect that.

"I also understand that one or two of the hymns [at the Coronation] have been carefully considered as they're hymns that the late Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed as well.

"They're very subtle, they're putting little parts in, but we're not going to see a minute's silence or anything like that because we've had the service for the Queen, the funeral, this is now the Coronation of the new King and Queen.

"Many people would see the Queen as the Royal family, she was essentially everything we see as monarchy and I don't think we'll see the like of that again for many, many generations. There will be some people that want to see a tiny reflection or remembrance through the service and I think there will be, but it will be very subtle."

The Coronation invite (PA)

Grant also praised King Charles for the "very good start" he's had to his reign so far, and said he's convinced the monarch will do "a good job".

He added: "I think he has, he's had a very good start, there's a lot of support. The popularity polls obviously show where he is, it's not quite where the Queen was - the Queen was very popular - but he's had a good start and I think over his reign it will increase.

"I think he'll do a good job, as I mentioned I don't think it’s going to be quite how it was with the Queen, as she was monarch for over 70 years, but I think he'll do a good job and pass it on to his son one day who will equally make his father and grandmother proud."

And Grant is equally as excited to see His Majesty's wife, Queen Camilla, coronated as part of the May 6 ceremony. Her Majesty's "correct title" is Queen Consort, but she will have the Consort dropped after the Coronation, as has been done over the centuries of the Royal Family.

Speaking about Camilla, he said: "I was lucky enough to know her personally, she is a wonderful character, she is good fun.

"She's just a really kind, down-to-earth lady and that's something that if the public hasn't already seen it, they will get to see it in the years coming."

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