Crown jewels! Kings and Queens from around the world unite for Charles’ coronation
Monarchs from all over the world came to Westminster Abbey today to attend the coronation of King Charles.
In a break from tradition, King Charles added crowned royals to the guest list for this coronation, meaning that a number of kings and queens could take part in the pageantry.
For centuries, convention dictated that no other crowned royals should attend the coronation of a British monarch, in a tradition that has lasted for 900 years.
This was based on the idea that the sacred event should be an intimate exchange between the monarch and their people, in the presence of God. But Charles decided to go further, which is one of the ways he has tried to modernize the ceremony, meaning his crowned friends, including European monarchs and rulers from Arab states, have joined the guest list.
Royals spearheading the glamor included Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Letizia of Spain, among others.
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Prince Albert of Monaco, who was the first European royal to confirm his presence at the coronation, attended the event with his wife Princess Charlene
He was the first European royal to confirm his presence at King Charles’s coronation, revealing the news in late January.
And 64-year-old Prince Albert of Monaco spoke fondly of the British king, whom he described as “a very educated man and someone with a great sense of humour.”
He also suggested he was looking forward to the event, telling PEOPLE magazine that he was “confident it’s going to be an incredible and very moving ceremony.”
He was accompanied by his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco.
The South African Olympic swimmer’s marriage to Prince Albert has been plagued with controversy lately, with Albert admitting to having two illegitimate children and Charlene spending a significant amount of time outside of Monaco.
However, they formed a united front today and enlisted together.
The couple shares eight-year-old Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco and Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès, but the twins were not with them today.
Princess Charlene was chic in a cream two piece trouser suit. She wore a matching cream colored hat worn over her cropped hair.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Spain
The Spanish royals – Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe of Spain – were typically glamorous as they headed to the abbey today
Queen Letizia of Spain, who worked as a journalist before marrying King Felipe, was in attendance today, along with her husband, King Felipe of Spain.
Felipe is a distant cousin of Charles: his mother, Queen Sofia, was a third cousin of the Queen and a first cousin once removed of the Duke of Edinburgh.
After Queen Elizabeth’s death, Felipe denounced Aunt Lilibet, the Spanish royal family wrote a touching letter to Charles.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, Jordan
Like many of the other royal women, Rania opted for a monochromatic outfit, matching her long-sleeved midi-length cream dress and her cream stiletto pumps.
Queen Rania was also typically chic when she arrived at the ceremony today with her husband King Abdullah.
Like many of the other royal women in attendance, she wore a monochromatic outfit.
Her long-sleeved midi length, which boasted long sleeves and a high neckline, paired perfectly with cream colored pumps.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Máxima
Queen Máxima was present together with her husband King Willem-Alexander.
King Willem-Alexander is distantly related to King Charles – he was the Queen’s fifth cousin once removed thanks to an old connection in their family tree.
Willem-Alexander is a descendant of Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau, the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and his wife Anne, the eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his consort Caroline van Ansbach.