King Charles is set to 'break with centuries of tradition'

King Charles’s modernisation drive continues: Monarch is set to ‘break with centuries of tradition by dropping traditional royal garb in favour of military dress’ at his historic coronation

• Charles will reportedly not wear stockings and breeches as they ‘look too dated’
• His Majesty was said to be ‘happy’ to wear the same garments as his grandfather
• Monarch is allegedly expected to arrive in the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet

King Charles III is set to break with tradition when he attends his coronation in May by opting for his military uniform instead of standard royal dress, it was claimed last night.

His Majesty, 74, will reportedly not wear silk stockings and breeches as they ‘look too dated’ and he wants the ceremony to reflect a ‘modern 21st century monarchy’.

Charles was said to be ‘happy’ to wear the same garments as his grandfather and great-grandfather, however senior aides said ‘he should not wear them’.

Contrary to previous reports that the occasion is expected to be a smaller affair than the late Queen’s ceremony, it is also understood the spectacle ‘will knock your socks off’.

King Charles III is set to break with tradition when he attends his coronation in May by opting for his military uniform instead of standard royal dress. Pictured on Remembrance Sunday last year

Contrary to previous reports that the occasion is expected to be a smaller affair than the late Queen’s ceremony (pictured in 1953), it is also understood the spectacle ‘will knock your socks off’

The monarch is allegedly expected to arrive in the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore during the State Opening of Parliament (above) last year

The monarch is allegedly expected to arrive in the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore during the State Opening of Parliament last year. 

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‘Though some of the more long-winded elements of the Coronation will be moved aside or modernised, the King was happy to wear the breeches and stockings,’ a source told The Sun.

‘But in discussion with senior aides they are saying he should not wear them, so will arrive in a military uniform instead.

‘It is largely to do with modernising the Coronation and stripping away the stuffiness.

‘They think having a 74-year-old King arriving in stockings and breeches in 2023 looks too dated. They are probably right.’

He will also wear St Edward’s Crown, which was made in 1661 for the coronation of King Charles II.

It is made of solid gold and features more than 400 gemstones, including six sapphires, and 12 rubies. It weighs nearly 5lbs (2.23kg).

St Edward’s Crown is a replacement for the original that was among the Crown Jewels that were melted down and sold off when the monarchy was abolished in 1649.

A Buckingham Palace statement said in October: ‘The coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.’ 

It added: ‘The coronation is a solemn religious service, together with an occasion for celebration and pageantry. 

King Charles will wear St Edward’s Crown, which was made in 1661 for the coronation of King Charles II

Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London, in 1953

In contrast to the Queen’s Coronation (above), the Mail on Sunday previously revealed that the service will last for just over an hour, rather than more than three

‘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 recognising the spirit of our times.

‘For the last 900 years, the ceremony has taken place at Westminster Abbey, London. Since 1066, the service has almost always been conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.’ 

In contrast to the Queen’s Coronation, the Mail on Sunday previously revealed that the service will last for just over an hour, rather than more than three.

The guest list may also be slashed from 8,000 to 2,000 and discussions have been held about having a more relaxed dress code.

While some lengthy traditions that featured in 1953 are set to be axed, the highly sacred moment of the anointing of the monarch will be retained.

A canopy of golden cloth will be held over Charles’ head during the anointing, so that no one else can see.

Charles will swear to be the ‘defender of the faith’, not ‘defender of faith’ – a change that was previously speculated.

The King will sit in the Coronation Chair, which dates from the start of the 14th Century.

The Duchess of Cornwall will be crowned Queen alongside the King in Westminster Abbey. Above: Camilla at the State Opening of Parliament in 2016

After the service Westminster Abbey, the King may head to Buckingham Palace to stand on the balcony with senior members of his family. Above: Charles on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the Queen in June last year during Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations 

After being anointed, Charles will have the crown of St Edward placed on his head, officially crowning him as King Charles III.

The 1762 Gold State Coach, which was refurbished at great expense for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, will also be part of the Coronation procession.

Prince William will also take on new titles at the Coronation, including being formally named as the Prince of Wales.

The Duchess of Cornwall will be crowned Queen alongside the King in Westminster Abbey.

She will formally take the title of Queen Consort and will have the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother placed on her head.

The crown was made for the coronation of King George VI, when the Queen Mother was crowned alongside her husband.

After the service Westminster Abbey, the King may head to Buckingham Palace to stand on the balcony with senior members of his family.

The Bank Holiday weekend means that most Britons will be able to celebrate the crowning of the King for two further days until they go back to work on Tuesday.

No plans have yet been announced for street parties but there could be similar scenes to 1953, which saw thousands of celebrations take place around the country

Prince Harry will reportedly not be welcome at the Coronation. Above: Harry with his wife Meghan after attending the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3, 2022

No plans have yet been announced for street parties but there could be similar scenes to 1953, which saw thousands of celebrations take place around the country.

In his interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby, the Duke of Sussex insisted that a ‘lot can happen’ between now and May when he was asked if he will go to his father’s coronation.

However, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will reportedly not be welcome at the occasion, following the criticism levelled at his family. 

A source told The Sun: ‘There have been discussions among the family, including Edward and Anne.

‘They do not want private conversations at the coronation making it into the paperback edition of Spare.’

Another source said: ‘The family expects Harry and Meghan to find a reason not to be there’. 

No details have been released yet about what plans broadcasters have for the service, but it is expected to be televised.

The Queen’s Coronation was shown on TV and sparked an explosion in ownership of televisions around Britain.

Around 27 million people watched the ceremony, with a further 11 million listening on the radio.

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