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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Kyle O'Sullivan

Prince Harry's kids have claim to be on Coronation balcony due to Princess Anne precedent

Even if Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are not invited to the Coronation on King Charles and Queen Camilla - there is precedent for the youngsters to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are yet to decide whether they will be part of the congregation inside Westminster Abbey on May 6, which is exactly one month away today.

Despite being the grandchildren of the new King, it is believed that three-year-old Archie and one-year-old Lilibet have not even been invited, with sources citing that the children are "very young".

However, this does not necessarily mean they should not be allowed to look down at the crowds gathered outside from the famous balcony.

Charles made history as the first child to witness their mother's coronation as Sovereign at the age of just four, but two-year-old sister Princess Anne was not present.

Princess Anne was on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the rest of her family in 1953 (Daily Mirror)

Despite not receiving a special invite like her brother, she seemingly didn't miss out on much as a hilarious photo was captured of a bored-looking Charles at the ceremony.

He was snapped standing in the middle of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose in the royal box at Westminster Abbey.

While Anne didn't get to attend the Coronation itself due to her age, she was able to join her older brother and newly-crowned mother on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Charles had visibly perked up as he waved to well-wishers and watched the Royal Air Force flypast over the Mall - and young Anne seemed to be enjoying herself as well.

This shows that there is a precedent that a royal youngster could be on the balcony despite not actually attending the Coronation ceremony.

Royal sources have claimed that only working royals will be allowed up there for the historic moment, showing Charles' vision of a slimmed down monarchy.

Detailed plans seen by The Mirror reveal how the King has chosen to say thanks for the nation alongside a select few royals who have dedicated their lives to public service.

Meghan and Harry with Archie and Lilibet (alexilubomirski/Instagram)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son (PA)

Future king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, will appear with their three children - Prince George, nine; Princess Charlotte, seven and Prince Louis, four.

The final group of 15 shows there is no place for Harry and Meghan if they do decide to attend, but inviting their children up could be seen as an olive branch.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have still not responded to an official invitation by the King, although rumours of their demands to be included on the balcony are said to be "wide of the mark", according to palace insiders.

A source with knowledge of the plans said: "The King has been very clear who he wants to represent the monarchy.

"There is little room for sentiment, this is a State occasion, not a family occasion and it is right that only the working members of the family are there at the big public moment."

As it stands, Archie and Lilibet seemingly won't play any part in the day itself, but their cousins and Queen Camilla's grandchildren will be integral.

Prince George will have a starring role, while Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will join their grandfather and the Queen as they leave the Abbey.

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne at the last Coronation (Rex)

George has been handed a central role for the King's Coronation as a Page of Honour, carrying his his robes as he enters and leaves Westminster Abbey.

George and seven other boys named Pages of Honour will "attend their majesties", the King and Queen, during the service - and they are all either family friends or relatives of Charles and Camilla.

Palace insiders say roles for ­Camilla’s granddaughters, Lola, 15 and Eliza, 13, will be confirmed.

An insider told OK! that a major sticking point was how the Sussex children were to be included on the day, but the source explained that their inclusion in the ceremony has "never been a bone of contention"

This is because small children don’t attend royal events of this scale "due to restlessness and tantrums".

As stated above, Princess Anne did not attend her mother's Coronation due to her age - and four-year-old Charles didn't seem to enjoy it.

During an episode of the Royal Rota podcast, ITV News royal editor Chris Ship and Lizzie Robinson discussed the historic day and then-Prince Charles' reaction to the three-hour long service.

Young Charles looked a little bored at his mother's Coronation (GETTY)

"There are some really nice details about the Queen’s coronation," said Lizzie. "Prince Charles was the first child to witness his mother's coronation.

"He was only young at the time and there are pictures of him looking slightly bored."

While Chris added: "He had basically had enough of the three-hour service."

Lizzie replied: "Yes three hours, it was a very long service.

"It was also the first coronation to be televised and I think around 27 million people tuned in to see that moment."

Both children were on the balcony to watch one hundred and sixty eight fighter jets were fly over the Palace in the Royal Air Force Salute to Her Majesty.

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