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King's coronation: Why we still don't know who will appear on Buckingham Palace balcony

The balcony moment is normally a big family occasion and became most famous for forming the centrepiece of Trooping the Colour - but we still don't know who has made the cut for the King's coronation.

Lucia Binding

News reporter @luciabinding

Saturday 6 May 2023 16:07, UK

Queen Elizabeth II and the Princess of Wales with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Image: Queen Elizabeth II and the Princess of Wales with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
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The King's coronation takes place today - and the mystery remains of which members of the Royal Family will appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark the historic occasion.

The three-day extravaganza of ceremony, celebration and tradition has been carefully planned as Britain begins a new chapter in its history following the lengthy reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Once the King and Queen are officially crowned at Westminster Abbey later, more members of the Royal Family will join for the procession back to the palace.

The King and Queen will then be accompanied by other family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to conclude the day's ceremonial events.

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Selected members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022
Image: Selected members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022
Queen Elizabeth II stands with members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2018
Image: Queen Elizabeth II stands with members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2018

The balcony moment is normally a big family occasion and became most famous for forming the centrepiece of Trooping the Colour, the military parade to celebrate the former Queen's official birthday.

Speculation has been rife as to why the Palace has not yet announced which members of the royal clan will appear on the famous balcony on Saturday.

Some claim it could be a ploy to eschew newspaper headlines indicating Prince Harry has been "banned" from the balcony.

While an official announcement has not been made, it has been confirmed that neither Prince Harry nor Prince Andrew will have any formal role in the ceremony in the Abbey, which can only offer a significant hint.

Harry and Meghan join other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of Trooping the Colour in 2018
Image: Harry and Meghan join other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of Trooping the Colour in 2018

But royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Paste BN that there is often "no rush" for the palace to make such announcements, and believes they still will.

"Announcements are fed to keep a sense of drama… and it succeeds.

"This is a solemn day but also theatre; 200 countries are represented, and the world will be tuning in."

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Mr Fitzwilliams added that it is "assumed that working members of the Royal Family, plus Sir Timothy Laurence, will be on the balcony".

"But maybe the pages too," he said. "Children always steal the show. Harry, I'm sure, won't…"

Pressed on whether he believes the Duke of Sussex could make an appearance on the balcony, he said: "No way. But of course… you can't ever be sure."

Read more:
The ultimate guide to the King's coronation
Seven decades of balcony moments celebrating the Queen's 70-year reign
'Mind the gap': King's coronation message to train passengers

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3D guide to the coronation route

It has been suspected that the balcony moment could be used to highlight the core group of "working royals" - who carry out official duties on behalf of the monarch.

Aside from the King and Queen themselves, such individuals include the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Royal, along with other working royals including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

This tactic could be deployed to distinguish balcony-goers from "non-working royals", specifically the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew, who last year did not attend the balcony moment to mark the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth II waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following her coronation in 1953
Image: Queen Elizabeth II waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following her coronation in 1953

Who are the page boys who could be stealing the limelight on the balcony?

The King and Queen Consort will each have four pages of honour supporting them at the coronation tomorrow - a group of schoolboys who are family friends or close relatives.

Prominent among them is the future monarch, Prince George, but they will all be known well to the royal couple.

The pages will hold the robes of some important figures taking part in the procession to Westminster Abbey.

The King's pages are:

  • George, 9, his grandson
  • Nicholas Barclay, 13, the grandson of Sarah Troughton, one of the Queen Consort's official companions
  • Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, the son of film-maker David Rocksavage
  • Ralph Tollemache, 12, the son of the King's godson Edward Tollemache

The Queen Consort's are:

  • Gus and Louis, 13, her twin grandsons by her daughter Laura Lopes
  • Frederick, 13, her grandson by her son Tom Parker Bowles
  • Arthur Elliot, 10, her great-nephew

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