Coronation Backstage: Cups of Tea and Private Lunch

It will be a day of unparalleled pomp and luxury, with King and The queenEvery gesture and interaction is scrutinized under the global spotlight.

But after great processions there and back Westminster Abbey and a highly anticipated performance at Buckingham Palace balcony, Charles, 74, and Camilla, 75, will settle backstage for a well-deserved cup of tea.

As the nation continues to celebrate, the couple have carved out time to catch their breath and compare notes.

As royal sources have been preparing for the moment for some time, they revealed that their majesties were keen to consider precious downtime to allow them to conduct a behind-closed-doors inspection amid the unprecedented spectacle.

On Friday night, both insisted on returning early. The king was ready to leave reception he hosted for foreign royals and heads of state at Buckingham Palace sharp at 6.30pm to join the Queen for a private dinner at Clarence House.

The early exit was a red line from the start, ensuring the King would be well rested on Saturday.

The couple’s first public look at theirs Coronation the day is expected to be relatively early on Saturday morning, when they will return to the palace to prepare for the procession to the abbey.

Re-emerging in their crimson state dress, the King and Queen will be at the center of an impressive military display that took a month of planning for every hour of the parade.

Taking a keen interest in all elements of the day, His Majesty personally chose to travel on the Diamond Jubilee State Coach to the Abbey and the Gold State Coach used at every coronation since George IV. in 1821, on his return.

By the time they arrive at the Abbey, they should feel relatively confident about their movements. In recent weeks, the King and Queen have attended several rehearsals at the palace, where a raised platform has been built in the ballroom as an exact copy of the one at the Abbey.

Informal meetings allowed them to ask questions, practice walking up the stairs in their robes, and get used to the weight of their crowns.

Later, after the royal welcome in Buckingham Palace Gardens at 1.45pm, the King and Queen will have time for a short break before heading to the balcony to greet the crowds at 2.15pm.

Weather permittingsix-minute triple serve flypast will follow at 2:30 p.m. and will include up to 60 aircraft.

Lunch away from the cameras

The King and Queen will then retire for “further private time” with both of their families.

An informal lunch will follow, when away from the cameras they can share their own experiences and observations of the day so far. For Charles and Camilla, the planned break from the festivities will also allow them to take off their cumbersome crowns and gowns.

However, it will be a brief respite as portrait photographer Hugo Burnand will be waiting at his door to capture a moment for the history books.

After lunch, the family will be escorted to the throne room and green drawing room, where they will pose for official pictures in all their beauty.

“Coordinating these and bringing different groups together takes a little bit [time]so there will be some time spent on that,” the palace source admitted.

“Then I think it will be time for a cup of tea.”

‘Open eyes on the balcony’

Royal sources did not rule out multiple appearances on the balconies, suggesting that crowds gathered at the Mall could catch another glimpse of the newly crowned monarch.

In 1953, Elizabeth II. she appeared on the balcony six times on the day of her coronation, the last time at midnight, to the delight of the huge crowds waiting below. One of her performances was at 9.45pm when she switched on the ‘Lights of London’ along the shopping centre.

Buckingham Palace indicated there was “no script to stick to” and that the King and Queen would play it by ear depending on “the moment and the mood”.

One source simply teased, “Eyes open on the balcony.”

Asked how the King and Queen are feeling ahead of the coronation, a palace spokesman said: “I think they are basically concerned about making sure the day goes as well as possible, rain or shine.

“Their main hope is that everyone who supports them – on the streets, in the borough and across Britain – will have a great time, however and wherever they choose to celebrate.

“All of us involved in the planning and preparation simply want this to be a joyous and memorable moment in our national story that Britain would be proud of.”

Two royal horses will race after his coronation at Westminster Abbey.

Candle Of Hope runs at 1.55pm at Goodwood and four-year-old Saga will be ridden by Frankie Dettori at 3.25pm ​​at Newmarket.

The king’s racing manager, John Warren, said he had “no idea” whether the king and queen would be able to watch the races live, but that they would be “fully aware” of how the horses are doing.