Following a Westminster Abbey coronation rehearsal, King Charles was also in the palace to greet governors-general and prime ministers of the realm.
It’s coronation day, and Kate Middleton and Prince William have a packed schedule!
The Prince and Princess of Wales hosted a lunch at Buckingham Palace on Friday, welcoming governors-general and prime ministers from around the country who had traveled to London ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation on Saturday. King Charles was present, while Queen Camilla did not appear to be there, nor were Prince Edward and Sophie, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Prince William, 40, and Princess Kate, 41, dressed in black and white for the occasion, where they interacted with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, and others.
Kate seemed to be wearing the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings, which are crafted from a shell containing seven pearls and were given to Queen Elizabeth by Bahrain’s king for her 1947 wedding. The earrings, which Princess Diana also wore, have a huge round diamond with a smaller circle diamond hanging below it. Three baguette diamonds are suspended from there, with three additional tiny diamonds leading to the dangling pearl.
The Princess of Wales has worn the earrings multiple times in recent years, including for the funerals of Prince Philip in April 2021 and Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.
As he chatted with guests at the palace, King Charles, 74, appeared cheerful.
Earlier in the day, numerous members of the royal family attended a coronation rehearsal at Westminster Abbey. Since 1066, the location has hosted coronations of British rulers.
King Charles exited Westminster Abbey by a side door in Dean’s Yard, smiling and shaking hands with the guy escorting him before getting into the back of his automobile – a hasty getaway as rain fell. The monarch was bright and cheerful, with a spring in his step.
The Friday morning rehearsal was also attended by Prince William. There was a tangible air of excitement when the heir to the throne arrived in a Range Rover and police blew whistles to alert motorists and pedestrians that a VIP was approaching. William’s automobile drove through the Dean’s Yard gates.
The throng applauded and waved as the Prince of Wales emerged, and Prince William reciprocated the gesture as his car drove away in the direction of Buckingham Palace.
Coronation rehearsals have been taking place all week, with Prince William and Princess Kate bringing their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — along on Wednesday.
Kate assured a well-wisher that her children were ready for the event during the Prince and Princess of Wales’ visit to the Dog & Duck Pub in Soho on Thursday.
“When I asked if the kids were excited about the coronation, she replied, ‘They’re very excited.’” They had their dress rehearsal yesterday, so they knew what to anticipate.” Mandy Leifheit of Seattle, Washington, told PEOPLE about her conversation with Kate.
“She said she’s more nervous than the kids because it’s such a big event for the kids.” “She said Louis would be there and he’d remember it,” Leifheit continued.
The coronation will be a historic event for the Wales family, as Prince William and Prince George, the next two in line to the throne, will both play official parts in the ceremony. Prince William will pay tribute to his father, while Prince George will act as a Page of Honor to his grandfather.
According to a Kensington Palace spokesperson, “we’re all very excited about Prince George’s role in the coronation, it will be an incredibly special moment.”
