At just nine years old, Prince George made an unforgettable mark on history during King Charles’s Coronation.
As second in line to the British throne, he took on the formal role of Page of Honour at the grand ceremony held at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.
Dressed in a knee-length scarlet coat adorned with gold trimmings, paired with a white satin waistcoat, George attended to the King alongside fellow pages Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Nicholas Barclay, and Ralph Tollemache.
This was the first time in modern royal history that a future monarch played an official role in the coronation, a significant moment for the young royal.
A Big Decision for the Royal Family
Though his grandfather, King Charles, and great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, had both attended their parents’ coronations as children, they only observed from the sidelines.
In contrast, George was actively involved.
His parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, had debated whether George, known to be a bit shy in public, should take on such a critical role.
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, after much discussion, the family agreed that George would likely regret not participating in such an important event in royal history.
Ms. Seward noted that “It is his destiny after all to be part of many royal occasions in the future,” adding that he would feel proud to be the youngest person involved in the historic ceremony.
The Coronation’s Global Reach and Family Reactions
More than two billion people tuned in to watch the coronation, but no one was more proud than George’s younger sister, Princess Charlotte.
The eight-year-old looked absolutely precious in an ivory Alexander McQueen dress and silver leaf headdress as she sat in the front row with her parents and younger brother, Prince Louis.
As her older brother walked past carrying the King’s robe, Charlotte’s face lit up with excitement.
In a heartwarming moment captured on camera, she looked to her father, Prince William, as if to say, “Look Papa! It’s George!”
Prince Louis’s Unique Reaction to the Event
While Charlotte was clearly thrilled by George’s role, Prince Louis had a much different reaction to the solemn ceremony.
The five-year-old, who had never attended a major royal event like this before, appeared less than impressed.
He yawned a couple of times and was seen pointing out things to his sister during the service.
Due to his age, Louis had not attended the funeral of his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at just four years old.
The long ceremony proved to be a bit much for him, and it wasn’t long before he was whisked away by a nanny for a break.
Eagle-eyed royal fans quickly noticed Louis’s disappearance, with some speculating on social media about his whereabouts.
One user wrote, “Need to know where Prince Louis has gone, bet he was playing up bless his heart, long time for him to sit still.”
Another fan commented, “Looks like Prince Louis has been taken out of the chapel. Every parent who’s tried to get a fidgety five-year-old to sit still for an hour will sympathize with Kate and William right now.”
Charlotte’s Supportive Role and Louis’s Return
Despite Louis’s fidgeting, he returned to his seat just in time to join his sister in singing “God Save the King.”
Charlotte, who had no formal role like her older brother George, served as a reassuring presence for her younger brother.
As the royal family made their way through Westminster Abbey, Charlotte held Louis’s hand, guiding him through the grand building.
Later, she took her place in the first carriage behind the Gold State Coach, flanking George and Louis.
However, once the family arrived at Buckingham Palace to greet the cheering crowd, Charlotte’s younger brother proved to be quite the handful.
As the royals stood on the balcony, Louis entertained himself by drumming his fingers on the railing and even developed his own version of the royal wave, affectionately dubbed the “window wiper.”
As the Red Arrows flew over, Louis could hardly contain his excitement, pointing towards the sky and eagerly shouting about the planes to his parents.
What’s Next for the Young Royals?
While the coronation was a monumental moment for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, it’s clear that these young royals are growing into their roles in the family.
From George’s historic involvement to Charlotte’s adorable moments of support and Louis’s mischievous behavior, their personalities continue to capture the hearts of people around the world.
As they grow, there’s no doubt they will be part of many more royal occasions in the future—each with its own special moments that fans will cherish for years to come.