King Charles III’s coronation date is already marked on the royal family calendar for another reason.
Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that the new Kingwill be officially crownedon May 6, 2023 — the same day his grandsonArchie Harrisoncelebrates his 4th birthday.
The coronation date is earlier in the year than widely speculated, as many believed that King Charles would pick June 2 to honor the date ofQueen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.
“The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry,” the palace said in a statement, adding thatQueen Camillawill be crownedalongside her husband. Keeping with royal tradition, the ceremony will commence at Westminster Abbey in London, where British monarchs have been coronated for the last 900 years.
King Charles III.Hugo Burnand-Pool/Getty
The coronation marks the second time that a royal milestone falls on a birthday weekend for one ofPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s young children. Over the summer, their daughterLilibetturned 1 on June 4, the third day ofQueen Elizabeth’sPlatinum Jubileeweekend.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex invited close friends and family to gather for a “casual, intimate backyard picnic” at their Frogmore Cottage home and shared anew photo of their daughter(showing off her red hair!) to celebrate the occasion.
Chris Jackson/Getty; Sussex Royals
Soon after, a royal sourceconfirmed to PEOPLEthat King Charles enjoyed an “emotional” visit with his grandchildren, who traveled to the U.S. with their parents from their California home for the celebrations.
“It was a fantastic visit. The prince was delighted to see his grandson and meet his granddaughter for the first time,” the source said, adding that it was “wonderful” to have the Duke and Duchess of Sussex back in Britain.
The trip marked Lili’s first visit to the U.K. Meghan and Harry’s daughter was born in California in June 2021 and had yet to visit her dad’s homeland. Archie was born in the U.K. in May 2019 but hadn’t been back since he was around 6 months old.
Archie’s recent birthday image.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
“The Prince and the Duchess [of Cornwall] were absolutely thrilled to see them,” the insider added, as Charles had not seen his grandson Archie “for a bit of time.”
“It was very special to have some time with him. He hadn’t met Lilibet, his granddaughter, and so to meet her for the first time was very emotional — it was a wonderful thing,” the source said.
King Charles and Queen Camilla.Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty
The trip also allowed Lili to meet her great-grandmother,Queen Elizabeth, for the first time. Meghan and Harry named their daughter after the monarch, asLilibet was the Queen’s childhood nickname.
“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings — from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren,” Harry said in a statement on Sept. 12.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry in 2019.Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty
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source: people.com
