King Charles and Queen Camilla.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The royals are in prep mode ahead ofKing Charles’coronationon May 6 — and they have chosen a spot close to home as they practice for the big day.
Rehearsals are taking place at the ballroom at Buckingham Palace, PEOPLE has learned. The large space mimics the top end of Westminster Abbey just beneath the High Altar, so participants can get a sense of the layout of the key area that will be used for the historic ceremony.
It also means the royals, their staff and clergy members can rehearse in private. Apparently, nothing elaborate has been built, but they have tried to capture what it will be like in the “Coronation Theatre” in Westminster Abbey.
For more about the countdown to the coronation and the celebration weekend, check out this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
King Charles and Queen Camilla in Germany.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The ballroom at Buckingham Palace is usually the scene of state banquets and investitures of people receiving knighthoods and other honors.
The practical rehearsal space contrasts widely with how then-25-year-oldQueen Elizabethand her attendants prepared for her coronation day in 1953. There were around a dozen rehearsals for the last coronation, with Elizabeth’s maids-of-honor joining in with other dignitaries and clergy at the Abbey. When the Queen joined them on one occasion, a curtain was draped behind her to replicate what it would feel like to trail the train, one of her maids, Lady Anne Glenconner, wrote in her bestselling book,Lady in Waiting.
Today’s option means the Abbey can “keep their doors open to tourists and the revenue that comes from that,” while also enabling those taking part to have a feel for what it is going to be like, a palace insider tells PEOPLE. Adds another palace source, “In 1953, the Abbey had to be closed for some time.”
Charles and Camilla at Westminster Abbey.JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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Lady Glenconner tells PEOPLE, “A lot of the [Lords] and people are going to have to ballot for the seats, so there’ll be a lot of disappointed people.”
“It’s going to be more inclusive, with many more religions playing a part,” she adds.
source: people.com
