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Prince Albert of Monaco has become the first European royal to confirm his attendance at King Charles’ coronation later this year.
The 64-year-old crown prince of Monaco spoke fondly of the British king ahead of his coronation on May 6, calling him “a very polite man and someone with a great sense of humour.”
speaking to PEOPLEAlbert confirmed that he and his wife, Princess Charlene, would attend, adding: “I’m sure it will be an amazing and very moving ceremony.”
The event will be among the most prominent Charlene has attended since her recent illness, which saw her spend 11 months away from the Mediterranean principality in her native South Africa, undergoing treatment for an unspecified condition.
Prince Albert described King Charles as “a very educated man and someone with a great sense of humour”.
Albert added: “We have been in contact since His Majesty became King, but I have not spoken to him personally since the Queen’s funeral.”
The prince, who is hoping to attend the king’s coronation, added: ‘I’m sure His Majesty will add his own ‘personal touches’ to the ceremonies, but I’m sure I don’t know.’
Prince Albert went on to reveal that he and his wife Princess Charlene will definitely be at the ceremony to watch the king’s coronation, however their 8-year-old twins Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella might be “too young.” “.
The news of the couple’s attendance comes after Prince Albert praised his wife Princess Charlene for “turning things around in an incredible way” after a long battle over her health.
Prince Albert revealed that he and his wife Princess Charlene will definitely be at the ceremony to watch the king’s coronation.
Speaking in December, the 64-year-old royal told People he was “really proud of my wife,” adding: “Charlene is doing great.”
He continued, “As you know, last year was a very difficult year for her, and the beginning of this year.”
Albert added that after being admitted to a Swiss treatment center for burnout and staying out of the spotlight, Charlene, 44, has been “active at a number of different events.”
He highlighted a number of events the former Olympic swimmer had been in attendance for lately, including a recent visit to the Monaco branch of the Red Cross.
Prince Albert (right) said he has “maintained contact” with Her Majesty (left) but has not spoken to him since the Queen’s funeral.
“She really enjoys doing things together and with the kids, so this year is ending on a very, very high note. We are really excited about how things are going,” Albert said.
King Charles has been the monarch of Great Britain since early September, when his beloved mother, the Queen, passed away at Balmoral.
Charlene and Albert attended the funeral and were among several European royals to do so.
Although he became king immediately after Her Majesty’s death, Charles’s coronation won’t be until May.
Charlene and Albert attended the funeral and were among several European royals to do so (pictured together at the event)
The King’s coronation inside Westminster Abbey is set to be a historic occasion with highly symbolic regalia and ceremonies not seen for 70 years.
The queen’s coronation took place almost 70 years earlier, on June 2, 1953, but she actually became monarch in February of the previous year, after the death of her father, George VI.
Charles will be crowned alongside Camilla, the queen consort.
The occasion is expected to be a smaller affair than the late Queen’s ceremony.
A Buckingham Palace statement in October said: “The coronation will reflect the role of the monarch today and look to the future, while taking root in long-standing traditions and pageantry.”
He added: ‘The coronation is a solemn religious service, together with an occasion for celebration and pomp.
“The ceremony has retained a similar structure for over a thousand years, and this year’s coronation is expected to include the same core elements while acknowledging the spirit of our time.
‘For the last 900 years, the ceremony has taken place in Westminster Abbey, London. Since 1066 the service has almost always been carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Unlike the Queen’s Coronation, the Mail on Sunday previously revealed that the service will last just over an hour, instead of more than three.
The guest list may also be reduced from 8,000 to 2,000 and discussions have been taking place about having a more relaxed dress code.