Strict rule 'pretty much all royals' broke during emotional moment at Coronation

21 January 2024 , 09:00

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Annabel, seen next to Queen Camilla, was one of her attendants at the Coronation (Image: Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 202)

There are a number of protocols surrounding the royal family. But almost 'everyone' broke one strict rule in order to capture an especially poignant moment on Coronation Day.

The eyes of the world were on King Charles and wife Queen Camilla on 6 May, 2023, as they travelled to Westminster Abbey ahead of the historic ceremony, which was watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world.

But before the cameras started flashing, the royal couple were afforded a moment of calm as they prepared for the big day inside Buckingham Palace. One person who was there to witness the morning as it unfolded was Annabel Elliot, the younger sister of Queen Camilla.

She spoke to Robert Hardman for his new book, Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, and shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes look, including the moment the royal party unanimously broke protocol.

There is a strict 'no mobile phone' policy within the Palace - but as the King and Queen prepared to depart for the Abbey, "somehow most of the royal party seem to have one in their hand at this precise moment".

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Hardman writes: "'They weren't supposed to have phones but everyone took this shot of them going off and getting into the carriage,' the Queen's sister admits.

"Once again, she finds herself close to tears as she thinks back to two girls watching the 1953 Coronation on a tiny black and white television. And now, seventy years later, it has come to this. 'There goes this golden coach with my sister. I can't explain the feeling, but it's so surreal. This cannot be happening…'"

In the moments before they left the Palace, the King, according to Annabel, still managed to "retain an almost transcendental calmness 'as if it was just another day at the office'."

But his face "lit up" when he saw his wife for the first time in her full coronation gown. "He was very proud of her."

Queen Camilla had two two attendants on the day - the Marchioness of Lansdowne, a trusted confidante and close friend, and .

Annabel also had the honour of seeing her grandson, Arthur Elliot, act as one of King Charles's - .

It was no doubt a bittersweet occasion for the 74-year-old. In March 2023, less than two months before the coronation, she lost her beloved husband of 50 years.

Simon Elliot was a successful businessman and landowner who died at the age of 82 after a long illness, the family announced. He had been married to Annabel for half a century, and together they shared three children, inducing British politician Sir Ben Elliot, who previously served as the Co-Chairman of the .

Gemma Strong