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Prince William may never get a coronation like King Charles III’s because “people didn’t really understand” the ceremony, an expert told Newsweek.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II abdicated the throne during a shock New Year’s Eve announcement as the country celebrated the end of 2023.
And as the dust settles on her dramatic decision, the country will not hold a big, expensive coronation of the kind that brought U.S. TV networks to Britain in May.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Instead Crown Prince Frederik, 55, will be proclaimed king from Amalienborg Castle, in capital city Copenhagen, on January 14.
The difference in approach between the two countries may well raise questions about whether big-money coronations have a future in Britain come the time of Prince William’s accession.
Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed, told Newsweek: “I suppose it’s because they’re very conscious of not making their subjects pay for it. They probably think it looks good not to do it.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see another big coronation again. I think that was it. A lot of people didn’t really understand what was going on, all the rituals.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see the like of it again. I don’t think people will want it. Probably there will be a very, very scaled-down coronation and I think the regalia will just be on show.”
However, she did not think Charles would follow Queen Margrethe’s path by bringing an end to his reign early: “I don’t think Britain will see an abdication. Just because the European royal families are doing it that doesn’t mean we’re going to start doing it.”
Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, said: “There was never a need for Charles to have a coronation and it’s quite possible that Sweden and Norway will have a new monarch in the next few years.
“None of them have coronations so I think it’s going to be an ongoing drip drip of ‘why did we spend a quarter of a billion, or whatever it was, on his party?'”
However, he does think William will want a coronation at the time of his accession.
Social media clips showed just how surprised the Danish public were at the queen’s announcement midway through normal New Year celebrations.
Margrethe said: “In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery. It went well, thanks to the skilled healthcare staff who took care of me.
“Of course, the operation also gave rise to thinking about the future—whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.
“I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024—52 years after I succeeded my beloved father—I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.”
Seward said: “It did come as a surprise but I think she just wasn’t well enough to carry on. She was probably in a lot of pain.”
“I should think William is very relieved it’s not him,” she continued. “Being king I think is just drudgery, a grind, these days.
“I think William will just think, ‘praise the lord it’s not me.’ Charles has always said he wants William to enjoy a bit of family life and a bit of private life because once you’re king there is no such thing as private life.
“I think he’ll be relieved about the fact it’s not a situation we’re very keen on here.”
Jack Royston is Newsweek‘s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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