The coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla was widely seen as a success. All senior royals attended, including Prince Harry, who flew in briefly. Prince William and Kate Middleton brought their three children, with Prince Louis attending his first major royal event.
However, William and Kate arrived late, reportedly irritating Charles. Tensions continued when Kate allegedly didn’t curtsy to Camilla and was unhappy with how many of Camilla’s relatives attended. Camilla had a large family presence, including her children, grandchildren, and sister, while Kate had only four family members present.
Royal expert Tom Bower claimed Kate was upset by Camilla’s prominent family role and even had a hand in keeping Meghan Markle away from the event, warning she’d have to “sit in the back” if she came. Meghan stayed in the U.S. with the children.
Bower also noted that no one bowed to Camilla as she exited the Abbey, signaling deeper tensions. He suggested Camilla’s increased visibility and the deviation from tradition—like giving her grandchildren significant roles—caused friction.
Despite this, Camilla’s grandchildren performed well as Pages of Honor. The coronation marked a new phase for Camilla’s family within the royal spotlight, though royal watchers question their long-term relevance. Still, Camilla and Charles appear united, with both families slowly blending through shared time and events.