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The details that were revealed by royal insiders today (Sunday) have been described as “unkind” towards the current monarch. Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former press spokesperson, described the revelations as “not only rude but insensitive”.
Royal insiders have said that the Prince of Wales plans to have a smaller ceremony than previous coronations.
Supposed plans for the day may exclude all but those in the line of succession.
A source told the Mail on Sunday: “It will be a slimmed-down Monarchy on display throughout.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see just Charles and Camilla, Kate and William and their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony afterwards.”
READ MORE: Royal balcony snub: Meghan and Harry ‘won’t join’ Charles for crowning
The paper claims that plans are being drawn up under the codename Operation Golden Orb for Prince Charles’s streamlined coronation.
The Prince has already let it be known that he favours a leaner, more modern monarchy. His coronation is reportedly expected to set the tone for the new reign.
A source said that the coronation would be “shorter, sooner, smaller, less expensive and more representative of different community groups and faiths” compared to the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
The ceremony will reportedly happen within a year of his accession to the throne. The Queen’s came 16 months after.
Whereas the Queen’s coronation saw a parade of tens of thousands of troops, Operation Golden Orb will reportedly be limited to a maximum of 2,000 guests.
The service will also be “far shorter” due to Prince Charles’s age, a source claimed.
Clarence House denied there were such plans.
Angela Levin, a royal commentator, said: “Surely it’s unkind to bring [the coronation plans] out now.”
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She asked: “Does the Queen know all about the changes for Prince Charles’ coronation?”
Meanwhile, Mr Arbiter said that the revelations were “tosh”, adding: “Coronations follow a set pattern, each one finessed.
“The last was 1953 and before that 1937. Of course the next one will be modernised, but to discuss now is not only rude but insensitive.”
The Mail on Sunday also claims Prince Charles wishes to use a new design on the official insignia which appears on postboxes and police officers’ uniforms.
Instead of the current St Edward’s design, he is said to want the simpler Tudor Crown.
A Clarence House spokesperson said last night: “The detailed planning for a coronation begins at the point of accession. So there are no plans of this nature at this stage.”
But a source told the paper: “There are binders and binders of paperwork on the accession and coronation all stacked up and each has various appendixes.
“It’s very complex. The Golden Orb committee used to meet twice a year but now they’re meeting much more frequently, sometimes once a month.”
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