King Charles III’s coronation on May 6 will be a slimmed-down affair, with around 2,200 guests in attendance compared to the 8,000 who witnessed the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in 1953.
Still, there will be plenty of overseas royals in the congregation, including many who attended the late Queen’s funeral in September and British royal weddings in the past. Below, here’s a who’s who of the European royals to look out for at the Coronation on Saturday.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco
In January, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco became the first foreign royals to confirm their attendance at King Charles’s Coronation. Albert – who previously visited Charles’s eco-minded Poundbury development in 2006 – told People at the time that he was “certain that it’s going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one”.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
Spain’s King and Queen confirmed in April that they would be attending Charles’s Coronation. The couple was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for a state visit to the UK back in 2017, while Letizia and Charles visited the Spanish Gallery at Auckland Castle in County Durham together in 2022. Charles also attended the couple’s wedding in Madrid in 2004, while King Felipe was inducted into the Order of the Garter in 2019.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
While Queen Margrethe of Denmark won’t be able to attend the Coronation due to her recent back surgery, her son and heir, Crown Prince Frederik, will be going on her behalf, along with his wife Crown Princess Mary. The latter welcomed the Princess of Wales in Copenhagen during her visit in 2022.
Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos, and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece
The British royal family has close links to the former Greek royal family via Prince Philip, whose first cousin was the late King Paul. The late King Constantine II—the last king of Greece before the monarchy was abolished in 1973—was King Charles’s godfather. His wife, Queen Anne-Marie, and son and daughter-in-law, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, will be guests at the Coronation.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
Sweden’s monarch King Carl XVI Gustaf will be attending the Coronation with his daughter, Crown Princess Victoria. The royals previously welcomed the Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to Sweden back in 2018.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
The Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima announced in April that they will also be guests at the Coronation. The couple previously enjoyed a state visit to the UK in 2018, and Willem-Alexander was inducted to the Order of the Garter in 2019.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
The Belgian royals will also be making an appearance at Charles’s Coronation. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have close ties with the UK, as their daughter Princess Elisabeth previously went to boarding school in Wales.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
After being hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle in March, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway will return to the UK for the Coronation. Charles previously attended the couple’s wedding in Oslo back in 2001.