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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Abigail O'Leary

Prince George 'persuaded King to change ancient Coronation rule' over bullying fear

Prince George made history by persuading his grandfather to break with centuries-old tradition at the Coronation.

The nine-year-old future heir is said to have persuaded King Charles to make a change to uniforms worn by the pages of honour - specifically their white knee breeches.

A source reportedly claimed that George also "wasn't keen on wearing tights and becoming a subject of ribaldry at school".

Instead, the King agreed to his grandson's wishes and allowed the pages to wear trousers.

Prince George attends the Coronation of his grandfather (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

'He also wasn't keen on wearing tights and becoming a subject of ribaldry at school,' whispers a courtier.

The King agreed and the breeches and tights were replaced with trousers, reports The Mail.

Prince George appeared alongside his sister Princess Charlotte and brother Prince Louis - playing a central role in the historic day.

He walked behind his grandad, helping to carry his robes as he enters and leaves Westminster Abbey.

The King and George’s father, Prince William, were keen for the young prince to have an important role on May 6 and decided he would be front and centre.

George and seven other boys named Pages of Honour "attended their majesties”, the King and Queen, during the service.

They were primarily responsible for carrying their long, heavy robes. The honour is usually granted to teenage sons of members of the nobility and gentry, and especially of senior Royal Household members.

King Charles was assisted by his grandson Prince George (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

The boys were family friends and relatives of Charles and Camilla.

Despite the role traditionally going to boys aged 12 to 15, young George was given the task after showing a “deep interest” in the ceremony.

A well-placed insider speaking before the Coronation added: “The King is very keen to show those in the line of ­succession, his natural heirs, at the centre of his Coronation.

“Even though he is only nine, George is very mature and already has a deep understanding of the roles of his grandfather and father, as well as his future role.

“This task is a wonderful sign of the future being laid out by the King.”

Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte (Phil Noble/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Prince George was a page boy (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

The King’s other Pages of Honour were Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, Nicholas Barclay, 13, and Ralph Tollemache, 12. The Queen Consort’s Pages of Honour will be her grandsons, twins Gus and Louis Lopes, and Freddy Parker Bowles, along with great-nephew, Arthur Elliot.

They wore scarlet frock coat with gold trimmings, a white satin waistcoat, white breeches and hose, white gloves, black buckled shoes and a lace cravat and ruffles.

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