R egal glamour reigned as royals from around the globe dressed in their finest to witness the coronation.
Kings and Crown Princes arrived in military uniform proudly bearing medals, sashes and orders of chivalry, while Queens and Crown Princesses displayed their fashion prowess in colourful ensembles.
Traditionally this ceremony has been seen as a ritual sacred to the monarch and the people, with no crowned heads from other countries present – only protectorate rulers such as Queen Salote of Tonga were at Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation. But setting a modern precedent, a roll call of royalty from far and wide came to honour the King, and the abbey was brimming with friends and relatives from around the world.
IN THE PINK
Leading the way, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain exuded refinement, with Letizia elegant in all-pink Carolina Herrera – a skirt suit featuring a ruffled peplum and embroidered neckline, paired with a dome hat from Spanish milliner Balel.
Guests also included Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco – chic in all cream with a matching beret – and King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, who all share a close bond with the King.
Senior members of the former Greek royal family – who are related to His Majesty through his father, who was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark – included ex-Queen Anne-Marie and her son and daughter-in-law Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, who wore a pale cornflower-blue dress from London-based fashion designer Mary Katrantzou.
From Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary – making a stylish arrival in a bespoke Soren Le Schmidt coat dress in deep purple – took their places to represent Queen Margrethe, who is recovering from back surgery, while Sweden’s longest-reigning monarch, King Carl XVI Gustaf, arrived with his daughter Crown Princess Victoria.
The elegant mum of two looked stunning in a belted dress in royal blue, paired with a matching pillbox hat.
GLOBAL GUESTS
They were joined by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Grand Duke Henr
