King Charles III Wished Grandson Archie Happy Birthday In Post-Coronation Speech

May 08, 2023

King Charles III acceded the British throne on Sept. 8, 2022, the same day his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed in Balmoral. While it is not necessary for a monarch to be crowned in order to become king, the coronation ceremony is a formality and a state occasion. This means that while Charles may offer his views, at the end of the day, full control of the guest list and other details are with the government as it is footing the bill.

The last time a coronation took place was Elizabeth’s on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey, the setting for every coronation since 1066. It was also the first time the ceremony had ever been televised. An estimated 27 million people in the United Kingdom and millions more around the world watched as the sixth queen of England was crowned. She and her husband, Prince Philip, rode the exquisitely decorated Gold State Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey pulled by eight horses.

Elizabeth donned an intricately designed gown embroidered with the emblems of the UK and the Commonwealth in gold and silver thread for the ceremony that lasted almost three hours. The event comprised six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture and crowning, the enthronement and the homage. The affair was witnessed first-hand by 8,251 guests, including a young Charles.

On May 6, 2023, Charles celebrated his own coronation at Westminster Abbey, further marking his time as king. The ceremony was marked by the royal family as well as plenty of brilliantly talented guests. This included Charles' youngest son, Prince Harry, who attended without his wife and children, as they were back home for Archie's 4th birthday on May 6, the same day as Charles' coronation. In a private speech following the ceremony, Charles even wished his grandson a happy birthday.

While Charles was already technically king prior to May 6, 2023, holding a coronation is customary. According to the Associated Press, “There is no legal requirement for a coronation, and other European monarchies have done away with the ceremonies.”

Buckingham Palace’s assurance that the ceremony would be “rooted in longstanding traditions” but also “reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future,” intensified talk that Charles would make substantial changes to better reflect a modern monarchy.

Many traditions were maintained for the 2023 ceremony. Among them was the use of the Gold State Coach, which was extensively refurbished for the queen's Platinum Jubilee in early 2022 and has been used in every coronation since George IV’s in 1821. The elaborate horse-drawn carriage boasts intricate gilded carvings of cherubs and tritons, painted panels, and an interior lined with velvet and satin. The coach is so heavy it has to be pulled by at least eight horses, and even then, only at the pace of a walk.

While a coronation is no doubt an event that conveys grace, elegance and tradition, it is also a fun and joyous occasion for the royal family and everyone in the Commonwealth. According to the Evening Standard, a life-size chocolate bust of Charles was created over the course of four weeks, using more than 3.7 gallons of melted Celebrations chocolate and weighing more than 51 pounds. It was embellished with mini candy bars. Celebrations senior brand manager Emily Owen said, “What better way to celebrate this moment in British history than immortalizing HM King Charles III using the nation’s ultimate sharing treat.”

Camilla was by Charles' side while he was formally crowned with St Edward's Crown during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London. And while Elizabeth had stated that she wished Camilla would be called Queen Consort following Charles’ accession, Buckingham Palace used “Queen Camilla” on the coronation invitations. After Charles’ six-part coronation ceremony was complete, Camilla was similarly crowned.

Prince William played a key role in the coronation as the Stole Royal and assisted in putting the royal robes on King Charles before he was crowned. His wife, Princess Catherine, was also in attendance alongside their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. As a page boy, George became the first future king to have held an official role during a coronation. Prince Harry attended the ceremony solo without his wife Meghan Markle, and sat three rows behind his brother William during the service. 

Charles’ coronation concert was held the day after, on May 7, 2023, at Windsor Castle. It was filled with “global music icons” and “contemporary stars,” including Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Nicole Scherzinger, Olly Murs and Take That. The Coronation Choir, which consists of 300 singers from diverse backgrounds, also performed. Other notable stars who attended the event include Dame Joan Collins and Tom Cruise, with Sir Tom Jones joining in via video message.

The Coronation Big Lunch also took place on May 7, 2023. Neighbors and community members were “invited to share food and fun together.” The Big Help Out took place the following day, in which people were encouraged to volunteer and do their part to support their local areas.

Although rain dampened the day slightly, Charles’ coronation went off without a hitch and is sure to go down in history as one of the most memorable royal ceremonies in modern times.

While Harry made his first public appearance with the royal family since his tell-all memoir "Spare" was released in January 2023, he appeared without his wife or children by his side. The Duke of Sussex jetted off from the UK 28 hours after he arrived, in order to make it back to California in time for Archie's 4th birthday, which took place on the same day as Charles' coronation. Despite being at the ceremony, Harry was not invited to join the king, queen and other royal family members on the balcony to greet the public.

Although Charles' son and grandchildren were not present at a private gathering following his coronation, the Daily Mail reported that the king made a toast in honor of them and in particular to Archie on his birthday. Charles toasted "those that weren’t there" and wished his grandson a very happy birthday "wherever he was." The insider said:

"It was apparently a very sweet moment."

Harry flew out of the country mere hours after the coronation took place.

Another royal source told People Magazine in April that the Sussexes' celebration for Archie's birthday this year would be a "low-key" affair at the family's Montecito, California home.

"They'll have friends around them and Meghan's mom, Doria (Ragland). Meghan will definitely have support that weekend," the insider said.

Additionally, Archie's little sister Lilibet was there to celebrate her older brother's special day. The source added:

"They are so sweet together. Archie loves Lili. He's such a sweet boy. When she's not around, he asks, 'Where's Lili?'"

Did you watch the historic coronation? What do you think about King Charles III honoring his grandson Archie for his 4th birthday? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to any royal family fans you know!