06 April 2023 , 11:34
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King Charles has shown there is "little room for sentiment" by limiting the number of royals on the balcony to celebrate his Coronation.
A select group of just 15 will appear with him on the Buckingham Palace balcony to greet crowds at the roaring finale to his historic day next month.
As revealed by the Mirror, the only members of the Firm to stand by his side will be working royals - meaning there is no place for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle if they decide to attend or his brother Prince Andrew.
However, it appears that the rule on working royals does not apply to one family member who is often described as "invisible" and is set to be on the balcony.
The royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations (Getty Images)And the exception appears to apply to Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who does not carry out royal duties on behalf of the monarchy.
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Sir Tim is set to join his wife alongside the King, Queen Camilla as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales among others on May 6.
He has been married to Anne for more than 30 years and has no title - although he is often at her side on engagements, quietly supporting her.
But despite his low-profile nature, it seems Sir Tim holds a special place in the royal family, with the late Queen seemingly fond of him.
Princess Anne with her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence (Getty Images)Although he didn't receive a royal title upon marriage, he has since been made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and was also a personal aide-de-camp to Elizabeth II.
Last year at the time of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, he was also given special permission to join the monarch on the Buckingham Palace balcony after Trooping the Colour.
A Palace spokesman explained the decision at the time and said the late Queen wanted him to appear as he is a "frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements".
The couple at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance last year (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Others among the final group of 15 on the balcony next month with the new King will also be the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, who spent so much time with the late Queen in the final years of her life,
The King also insisted that some of his mother's most trusted and loyal servants and family members be included, despite their days as working royals being numbered.
The Duke of Kent, 87, a working royal and first cousin of both the late Queen and Prince Philip, will also attend alongside his sister Princess Alexandra, 86.
Harry and Meghan will not be on the Buckingham Palace balcony if they choose to attend the Coronation (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have also been asked by the King to join him and Camilla.
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A source with knowledge of the plans said: "The King has been very clear who he wants to represent the monarchy.
"There is little room for sentiment, this is a State occasion, not a family occasion and it is right that only the working members of the family are there at the big public moment."
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The balcony line-up in full
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla
- Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales - Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, Prince Louis, 5
- Princess Anne and Tim Laurence
- Prince Edward and Sophie
- Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (Duke is the most senior male-line descendant of Queen Victoria and her husband Albert, Prince Consort. He was first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II)
- Duke of Kent, 87 & his sister Princess Alexandra, 86.